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Six Tips for a Successful LUST Closure

Six Tips for a Successful LUST Closure Tip #1: Understand how the UST program works. Because of the number and diversity of underground storage tanks (USTs) in use nationwide, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognized early on that state and local governments were in the best position to oversee UST programs. To ensure state programs […]

Methylene Chloride: Protecting Exposed Workers

Yesterday we looked at the hazards of methylene chloride, a common paint-stripping chemical with many industrial uses—and many hazards, including cancer. Today, let’s talk about how to protect workers from exposure to this narcotic, corrosive, carcinogenic chemical.

LUST Closure—Risk-Based Decision Making Basics

Risk-Based Decision Making Basics RBDM is used more and more to facilitate effective and appropriate characterization and cleanup of UST releases. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), RBDM “is a process that utilizes risk and exposure assessment methodology to help UST implementing agencies make determinations about the extent and urgency of corrective action and […]

Stripping Away the Hazards of Methylene Chloride

Methylene chloride (also called dichloromethane) is a solvent with many uses, including paint stripping, polyurethane foam manufacturing, and cleaning and degreasing. You might not think that a chemical you can buy at your local home improvement store for use at home would be all that dangerous, but don’t be fooled. Methylene chloride is hazardous enough […]

Wood–Burning Heaters—Safety and Efficiency Tips

Wood-Burning Heaters—Safety and Efficiency Tips 1) Replace wood burning appliances manufactured before 1990 and only use EPA-Certified or EPA-Qualified appliances. According to the EPA, there are 12 million residential wood stoves in use in the United States and 9 million of those are older, not certified by the EPA and may be as much as […]

Expert Advice on E-Learning

Today’s Advisor gets expert answers to these questions: What are some common problems that can derail e-learning projects, and what can safety trainers do to address those problems?

Overall Strategies for Flood Recovery and Resilience—Part 2

Overall Strategies for Flood Recovery and Resilience—Part 2 After fully assessing policies and regulations at both the local and state levels, the next strategy is amending zoning, subdivision, and stormwater policies and regulations to match plans. Although the team recommends tailoring options to the specific needs and attributes of each community, they established four categories […]

Grow Your Network, Grow Your Career

Yesterday’s Advisor looked at some of the professions on the periphery of workplace safety who might have enough in common with safety professionals to feel like true colleagues, and who might help improve your job performance. When you improve your performance, you improve your career.

Overall Strategies for Flood Recovery and Resilience—Part 1

Overall Strategies for Flood Recovery and Resilience—Part 1 The 2011 flooding in Vermont damaged more than 500 miles of roadways and about 200 bridges; released hazardous wastes into water, sediment, and soil; caused wastewater treatment plants to overflow; and damaged agricultural crops and buildings. The damage to roads and bridges alone was estimated at $175 […]