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Sustainable Solutions: Environmental Health & Safety Compliance Gap Analysis

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In today’s continuously changing regulatory landscape, EHS managers and professionals must be in a constant state of mindfulness to their organization’s current compliance performance and possible gaps in compliance due to new and changing regulations. EMSI recommends our Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Compliance Gap Analysis Solution. This solution incorporates EHS regulations (OSHA, MDE, and EPA), training practices, injury/illness management, regulatory permitting, and safe work practices. Utilizing and integrating benchmarks established by regulatory requirements, company-specific policies, industry best practices, and EHS best practices, your EHS Compliance Gap Analysis provides a platform for EMSI to suggest or recommend unique and successful approaches observed at similar facilities. This solution will evaluate compliance with applicable regulatory obligations today and we will work with you to build a custom plan that drives continuous EHS compliance improvement for tom
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Tech Corner: Solvent-contaminated rags WYTNK

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  In July 2013 the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a final rule that modified the federal hazardous waste regulations around solvent-contaminated rags and wipes. The rule revised the definition of solid waste to conditionally exclude solvent-contaminated wipes that are cleaned and reused and revises the definition of hazardous waste to conditionally exclude disposable solvent-contaminated wipes. We’re here to share with you “What You Need To Know”. Solvent-Contaminated Wipes Final Rule adoption by state According to Maryland Department of Environment (MDE), the regulation is less-stringent with respect to disposal of solvent-contaminated rags & wipes and the provisions are not currently effective in Maryland. Meanwhile, the regulation is more-stringent with regards to laundering and reusing solvent-contaminated rags & wipes and MDE has changed its previous policy in order to maintain consistency with the basic element of these provisions of the federal re
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Regulatory Update: GHS proposed HazCom updates

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  Since the passing and adoption of the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) Rule in 2012 there have been multiple changes implemented to protect employees from hazardous chemicals they may come in contact with in the workplace. In February OSHA proposed some updates to it’s Hazardous Communication Standard (HCS), or HazCom for short, in another edition of the GHS for classifying and labeling chemicals. OSHA will accept public comments on the proposed HazCom update rule until May 19, 2021. The proposed modifications to the standards include:   ·        Revised criteria for classification of certain health and physical hazards to better capture and communicate the hazardous to downstream users; ·        Revised provisions for labels (including proposed provisions addressing the labeling of small containers and the relabeling of chemicals that have been released for shipment); ·        Technical amendments related to the contents of safety data sheets (SDSs); ·        New provisi
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Tech Corner: More states institute COVID-19 Standards

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  Credit: Simon Davis/DFID 14 states have instituted COVID-19 safety standards for the work place so far. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to surge in the US, the concern for worker safety and health has all but subsided and the need to institute COVID-19 safety standards has become very apparent. In the absence of federal leadership in establishing these standards, some governors and state health departments have stepped up to expand worker protections. Virginia was the first state to issue an Emergency Temporary Standard to protect workers during the COVID-19 pandemic along with Oregon and Michigan shortly following. Other states have issued guidelines, some of which are tied to enforcement efforts. Additional some cites also have issued ordinances geared toward protecting their local workers. Below is partial list of states along the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions that have adopted COVID-19 safety standards (with links to more information) Massachusetts - Safety standards f
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Sustainable Solutions: Sustainable waste management

 There are different approaches to treating waste, but the following points are common principles followed by many inside and outside the US. Which of the following categories does your organization fall in? Prevent waste The best thing to do is to not generate waste. If that is not possible, try to substitute non-hazardous or less hazardous chemicals into your processes. Think about only ordering chemicals that you need to use now vs. buying bulk chemicals/larger quantity to receive a discount in cost. In the end, this costs you more because you have to dispose of the excess that you do not end up using. In addition, this is not a sustainable practice. Instead of sending something to the waste pile, find out if others in the organization are able to use it, this prevents waste and cuts disposal costs. Prepare to re-use You may ask yourself, how am I going to reuse this? Electronic waste can be reused, instead of disposing of the escrap as hazardous waste, it can be taken apart and ind
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Regulatory Update: EPA increases civil penalties

 The US EPA has increased its maximum civil penalties with publishing the Final Rule on December 23, 2020. Below is a table showing the increases (Note: Penalties are assessed on a per day, per infraction basis). Program Previous Current Resource Conservation and Recovery Act ( RCRA ) $75,867 $76,764 Clean Air Act ( CAA ) $101,439 $102,638 Clean Water Act ( CWA ) $55,800 $56,460 Comprehensive Env. Response... Act ( CERCLA ) $58,328 $59,017 Emergency Planning/ Right-to-Know Act ( EPCRA ) $58,328 $59,017 Fed Insecticide, Fungicide/Rodenticide Act ( FIFRA ) $20,288 $20,528 Safe Drinking Water Act ( SDWA ) $58,328 $59,017 Toxic Substances Control Act ( TSCA ) $40,576 $41,056 The above table does
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Re-opening during COVID-19

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Credit: Simon Davis/DFID COVID-19 hasn't just caused a temporary interruption to our everyday lives, it has upended life as we know it and pushed us into a new reality where face coverings and social distancing is becoming the new normal. As we slowly and cautiously move forward with safely reopening, we ask that you closely follow your state or county Reopening guide along with the guidelines provided by OSHA and the CDC. Please see below for information and resources: CDC Business guidance CDC Resuming business toolkit NIH returning to work training tool For additional information and resources on how to cautiously and safely reopen, call your local Enviroexperts at 301-309-0475.
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