Lion News

08/04/2015

OSHA Workplace Safety at Multi-Employer Worksites

In the US, workplaces take on many sizes, shapes, and settings—from small, family-owned businesses to those that employ thousands of workers at sites across the nation. At "multi-employer" workplaces, some construction sites, for example, full-time, part-time, temporary, and contract employees work together, often reporting to different employers...

07/30/2015

Failure to Report: An Ongoing OSHA Violation

On July 29, 2015, OSHA proposed a new rule to clarify employers’ injury and illness reporting and recordkeeping (I2P2) responsibilities. Namely, the new rule seeks to make it clear that recording of injuries is an ongoing responsibility—meaning employers must keep records of injuries and illnesses even in cases when the employer failed to record it when first required to do so...

07/20/2015

TSCA e-Reporting Expands, Moves to Cloud

In a Direct Final Rule posted to the Federal Register today, US EPA is mandating the use of a new version of electronic reporting software (e-PMN) for businesses subject to Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) §5 Premanufacture and Significant New Use Notifications and other chemical reporting requirements...

07/14/2015

4 Companies to Pay $300K in EPA Penalties for EPCRA Reporting Violations

According to a US EPA press release dated July 13, 2015, four companies in Washington State will pay civil penalties for noncompliance with the EPA’s Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) chemical reporting requirements. Between them, the facilities will pay more than $300,000 in civil penalties and commit nearly $200,000 in supplemental environmental projects...

07/14/2015

How GHS HazCom Affects Your EPCRA Responsibilities

Under Section 311 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), facilities subject to OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard must submit copies of Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) to Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs), State Emergency Response Commissions (SERCs), and local fire departments. The Environmental Protection Agency has promulgated rules in 40 CFR 370 that cover both initial and revised submissions of SDSs to those agencies....

07/09/2015

EPA Memo Shows How Regulators Evaluate Ability-to-Pay Claims

A memo released late last month by the US EPA’s Office of Civil Enforcement (OCE) provides insight into the steps EPA officials follow when determining the amount of a civil penalty for environmental violations...

07/07/2015

Tape It Up! New OSHA Interpretation on Kinesiology Tape

In response to a letter from the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, OSHA has reevaluated its classification of applying kinesiology tape as a form of “medical treatment beyond first aid...

06/25/2015

EPA to Launch New Self-Audit Web Tool for Fall 2015

US EPA is planning a fall 2015 launch for its new “eDisclosure” web portal that will allow businesses to self-report violations of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) and other environmental regulations... 

06/23/2015

RCRA Contingency Planning Requirements

This month, Lion News has focused on planning for emergencies and the rules for managing risk, both under OSHA's Process Safety Management rules and the US EPA's Risk Management Plan requirements. To further this discussion, today we take a look at the specific contingency planning requirements for hazardous waste generators under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)...

06/16/2015

US DOT's Security Planning Requirements