Q&A: SPCC Plans
Q: What should I do if an EPA or engineer’s inspection finds deficiencies in loading or unloading containments that should be addressed by the SPCC Plan?
Archives
Chevron Citations Result in $1 Million Settlement
Cal/OSHA says a settlement reached with Chevron will improve safety at the Chevron Richmond refinery, the scene of a 2012 chemical release and fire. The agreement resolves Chevron’s appeal of citations issued by Cal/OSHA in 2013. According to Cal/OSHA, the negotiated settlement requires Chevron to institute “extraordinary measures to ensure process safety at the Richmond […]
In the Wind—Fire and Falls for Windtechs
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the fastest-growing profession in the United States is wind turbine technician. We’ll take a look at wind turbine service technicians and the hazards inherent in such “green” jobs.
Manufacturing Plant Has Dozens of Violations … and One Massive Fine
OSHA came down hard on a New Jersey aluminum manufacturer with what the agency calls “a long history of noncompliance with OSHA standards.” The Camden County employer was cited for a whopping 51 safety and health violations, with proposed penalties of more than $1.9 million.
Master Temporary Worker Safety at Safety Culture 2017
According to the American Staffing Association, in any given week, more than 3 million temporary and contract employees are employed by U.S. staffing agencies. Over the course of a year, staffing agencies in the United States hire nearly 15 million workers. Temporary and contract work is an increasingly important share of the U.S. workforce, and […]
Two Words: Plastics Recycling
In the absence of any enthusiasm on the part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in environmental matters, environment, health, and safety (EHS) managers should look to states for new developments in the environmental arena. Today we will look at a new law in Florida that encourages plastics recycling.
Final Rule Regarding CERCLA and EPCRA Reporting Vacated by Court
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit recently vacated a 2008 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that exempted farms from Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) reporting requirements for air releases from animal waste (Waterkeeper Alliance v. Environmental Protection Agency 853 […]
OSHA Consultation Service Has Big Value for Small Businesses
Want to take your safety and health program to the next level? OSHA might be the answer. Last year, the agency offered free consultation services to some 28,000 businesses. The On-Site Consultation Program has long been one of OSHA’s most recognized successes. Consultation, which provides free, confidential assistance to small businesses, is not associated with […]
Will States Step Up Environmental Enforcement?
Businesses in the United States may be breathing a sigh of relief with the Trump administration’s lack of enthusiasm to enforce the nation’s environmental regulations. But will environment, health, and safety (EHS) managers face increased pressure from states to stay in compliance? Let’s take a look at how a key organization views the issue.
EPA and Corps Propose to Rescind WOTUS Definition
The EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (agencies) have formally proposed to rescind the definition of “waters of the United States” as implemented by the 2015 Clean Water Rule and to recodify the prior definition that has been in use since October 9, 2015. The proposed rule was published in the July 27, […]