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Huge Fines for Messing with Ammonia Exposure

Both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) are focusing on ammonia. Today we will reflect on lessons learned from recent enforcement actions by the agencies. Tomorrow we will review EPA’s new risk assessment for ammonia.

UST Class C Training Checkup

Environment, health and safety (EHS) managers are often tasked with managing underground storage tank (UST) systems. It’s no wonder that with three classes of UST operators to deal with, a recent report shows that the most common violation found during UST inspections involves training. Yesterday we reviewed that report, and today we will offer some […]

Evaluating Your UST System After a Flood

Recently, the southeastern United States was slammed by a monster storm—Hurricane Matthew. The destructive hurricane created significant storm surges and caused severe flooding along much of the Atlantic coast. When major flooding occurs, underground storage tank (UST) systems can lift out of the ground, rupture, and release oil or other regulated substances. A single UST […]

States Argue Jurisdiction in WOTUS Case

Industry and many states are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to decide a critical jurisdictional matter related to the Clean Water Rule ((CWR), June 29, 2015, Federal Register (FR) promulgated by the EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps). More commonly called the waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule, the action provided […]

EPA Names Five PBT Chemicals for Expedited Action

The new section 6(h) of the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, which greatly expanded the reach of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), requires that within 3 years of the June 22, 2016, date of enactment, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must propose rules to reduce risks (by reducing […]

Northeastern States Sue EPA Over Transport Inaction

Six downwind northeastern states in the Ozone Transport Region (OTR) have filed suit in federal court asking that the EPA be ordered to take action on a December 2013 request that nine upwind states be added to the OTR. The designation would require that the added states develop plans to reduce the transport of pollutants […]

UST Training Coming Up Short

Environment, health and safety (EHS) managers are often tasked with managing underground storage tank (UST) systems. It’s no wonder that with three classes of UST operators to deal with, a recent report shows that the most common violation found during UST inspections involves training. Today we’ll take a look at the report, and tomorrow we […]

PHMSA and OSHA Clarify Requirements for Labeling Hazardous Chemicals for Bulk Shipments

On September 19, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a joint guidance memorandum clarifying the applicability of their respective requirements for labeling hazardous chemicals.