Practical EHS Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
1. Water-reactive, pyrophoric, self-reactive—such as lithium aluminum hydride, butyl lithium, potassium cyanide, and sodium azide. Does not include acidic water-reactive chemicals. Store in secure, sealed secondary container in a dry location, e.g., a dry box or desiccator. Isolate from other groups. Separate from aqueous solutions and protect from water. In refrigerator: Double-contain in bins or […]
Here is an overview of some important aspects of REACH that may affect YOU. What is REACH? Fundamentally, REACH shifts the burden-responsibility and costs-to the private sector, your business, to demonstrate that the chemicals you produce, use, and place on the market in large quantities are safe for humans and the environment. This is referred […]
Note that the rule is not regarded by EPA as more stringent than existing regulations. This means that states authorized to run the federal RCRA program are not required to adopt the rule. In fact, while some states have adopted it since promulgation, others have expressed their opposition to it, and the rule may not […]
Many times it’s because workers in areas with many chemicals are tempted to store chemicals alphabetically by common name to make them easy to find—but this is very dangerous practice. Here are a few tips for safe chemical storage: Always store minimum quantities, as specified by OSHA. Purchase chemicals in smallest quantities needed. Inventory chemicals […]
If you need to determine if a specific carbon nanotube is on the TSCA confidential inventory, you can submit a Bona Fide Intent to Manufacture or Import. The required contents of bona fide intents are listed at 40 CFR 720.25 and are intended to substantiate that a company genuinely intends to manufacture the substance and […]
OSHA likes the idea too–as long as employees have immediate access. “Immediate access” means that, in emergencies, the MSDS should be available during the workshift when it was requested. In nonemergencies, it should be available by the next workshift at the latest. Your electronic MSDS system should be: Reliable. Electronic systems must provide reliable access […]
Does EPA have any guidance for EPCRA Tier II reporting for tenant leased spaces? Who is responsible for reporting – the building owner or the tenant who has the hazardous chemicals in the leased space? We are not aware of any EPA guidance documents per se concerning Tier II reporting for leased spaces. However, EPA […]
Here’s a UST checklist to help you out with the paperwork: Have owners and operators kept on file the following information (40 CFR 280.34(b)): Corrosion expert’s analysis of site-corrosion potential if corrosion-protection equipment not used (40 CFR 280.20)? Documentation of operation of corrosion protection equipment (40 CFR 280.31)? Documentation of UST system repairs (40 CFR […]
Waste management is included under the TRI definition of toxic chemicals that are otherwise used, which refers to activities that are not manufacturing or processing. TRI requires that subject facilities report releases and other waste management of listed chemicals. Facilities must also report transfers of toxic chemicals for waste management to off-site locations. Waste management […]
The Standards MD/HD vehicles are typically grouped into seven classes based on gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), and ranging from 8,501 to 10,000 pounds (Class 2b) to more than 33,001 pounds (Class 8). However, for the purposes of standard-setting, the agencies divided the industry into three discrete regulatory categories: combination tractors, heavy-duty pickups and vans, […]