06/22/2016
To settle violations of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) hazardous waste regulations, the US Navy and Guam Shipyard will pay a combined $125,000 fine.
In the Federal Register on Friday, June 17, the US DOT Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) posted a Rule to update the vehicle inspection requirements for motor carriers who transport highway-route control quantities (HRCQ) of radioactive materials.
06/21/2016
For alleged violations of multiple US environmental laws and regulations stemming from a release of anhydrous ammonia, a bakery and distribution company in Chelsea and Lawrence, MA will pay $156,000 in civil penalties. In addition to the fine, the company will furnish emergency response equipment to local emergency responders, at an estimated cost of $119,000.
06/20/2016
“Good things come in small packages,” the saying goes. But when you ship hazardous materials, sometimes a small package or combination packaging just won’t get the job done.
06/16/2016
The US DOT Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) announced on Friday the availability of $1 million in grant funding to support hazmat emergency response training in the US. Created under the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act), the grant money is earmarked for safety training for hazardous materials professionals or hazmat training for Federal and State enforcement personnel.
06/14/2016
For alleged violations of the US DOT’s Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) stemming from an improperly prepared package of drain cleaner offered for air transport from Kentucky to Colorado, a Washington-based online retailer will pay $350,000, according to an FAA press release.
One of the nation’s largest furniture retailers has reached a corporate-wide settlement agreement for alleged violations of OSHA work safety regulations. As part of the agreement, the company will pay a $1,750,000 fine, abate workplace hazards, and train employees in line with the machine safety requirements at 29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7).
Earlier this month, both chambers of the US Congress passed a long awaited reform bill to re-work the nation's premier chemical law, the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). With the "new" TSCA now set to become law, it's time to take look at exactly what Congress passed, and what new regulations chemical manufacturers, importers, and processors should expect EPA to create to enact new requirements in the law.
06/09/2016
According to a US EPA press release, a lamp recycler in Windsor, CT will pay $23,000 to settle allegations personnel mishandled PCB-containing light ballasts. PCBs—polychlorinated biphenyls—are known carcinogens subject to specific handling and management rules under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).
06/08/2016
After passing the House of Representatives last week, long-awaited revisions to the United States’ major chemical management, reporting, and recordkeeping law—the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)—have now passed the Senate as well. Named the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, the revisions to TSCA now require only a signature from the President to enact them into Federal law.
In California, universal waste handlers must comply with unique State requirements beyond what the Federal RCRA program mandates. Knowing how to identify and manage universal waste is a critical part of hazardous waste compliance under Cal/EPA rules.