Yearly Archives: 2013
New Phase I ASTM Standard Coming!
POV
May 21, 2013
We expect that ASTM will publish a revision to the ASTM E 1527 standard (Phase I ESAs) in late 2013. The 2013 version will be the sixth revision since the standard’s initial publication in 1993. The last revision to the E 1527 Standard was in 2005, after EPA’s “All Appropriate Inquiries” rule was promulgated. Three […]
112(r) Real World Bad Experience
POV
May 13, 2013
Many states, including Kentucky, have elected to allow EPA to regulate their 112(r) air program. If you recall, 112(r) is a program intended to address chemical accident prevention at facilities using substances that posed the greatest risk of harm from accidental releases. These regulations were built upon existing industry codes and standards (available at: http://www.epa.gov/emergencies/) […]
Red Light Increases Alertness
POV
May 13, 2013
As safety professionals, we are constantly brainstorming and implementing programs to prevent workplace injuries. One of the leading causes of workplace incidents and related injuries is acute or chronic sleep deprivation. Most incidents occur during the “post-lunch dip” typically between 2-4 PM. A new study entitled “Alerting Effects Of Short-Wavelength (Blue) And Long Wavelength (Red) […]
Clean Air Act Risk Management Gets Big Headlines and Big Penalties
POV
May 9, 2013
Tyson Foods Inc. has agreed to a settlement with EPA for violations of Section 112(r) of the CAA’s Accidental Release Prevention & Risk Management Plan rule. Under the settlement Tyson has agreed to a $3,950,000 penalty. In addition, Tyson will allow third party audits of the CAAs Risk Management Program and is required to spend […]
Fraidy Cat Frack
POV
May 9, 2013
Just say “boo” to tame the wastewater from hydraulic fracturing. Actually, it isn’t quite that simple, but available technology has helped demonstrate that frack water contaminants do exhibit hydrophobic characteristics when electricity is introduced into the waste stream. Western states are taking advantage of a wastewater treatment process called electrocoagulation (EC) technology. EC works like […]