by ICC Compliance Center on August 10, 2012 at 8:00 am · in Uncategorized
On July 6, 2012 President Obama signed into law the ‘‘Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act’’. The current highway bill was on its ninth temporary extension and set to expire on June 30. The law reauthorizes the federal-aid highway and transit programs through September 30, 2014.
In addition to ensuring urgently needed road, bridge, transit, and rail improvements will get underway; the Act has provisions applicable to a broad range of programs and issues.
Some of the issues and concerns addressed:
The law initiates improvements to port infrastructure by permitting the full spending of the more than $6 billion surplus in the Harbor Maintenance Fund. The Army Corps of Engineers estimates that needed port channel repairs run in the billions, and that our busiest ports can only use 50 percent of their capacity 95 percent of the time.
The law calls for a National Freight Strategy that can develop an integrated improvement strategy to reduce congestion and fuel costs by ensuring more port containers travel to markets on freight rail.
For highway safety (among others) includes a requirement that commercial trucks use electronic logging devices to record drivers’ compliance with federal hours of service limits, a new clearinghouse to track drug and alcohol test results, and a study of crashworthiness standards for large trucks.
For hazmat, the bill reauthorizes the DOT hazardous materials safety program, and bans a DOT-proposed wetlines regulation until the Government Accountability Office can analyze its costs and benefits. In addition:
Authorizes PHMSA to conduct pilot projects on using paperless hazard communications systems and report later on whether the agency recommends incorporating such paperless hazcom systems into the Hazardous Materials Regulations;
Requires PHMSA to assess methods to collect, analyze and report data on hazmat transportation accidents and incidents.
Directs PHMSA to establish uniform standards for training of inspectors and to train inspectors in all modes on how to collect, analyze, and publish findings from inspections and investigations of accidents or incidents involving the transportation of hazardous material, how to identify noncompliance with the HMRs, and how to take appropriate enforcement action.
The law includes language that amends the authority of DOT to open and inspect hazmat packages en route when the inspector reasonably believes the package presents an imminent hazard.
Increases the maximum civil penalties for violations of the HMRs from $50,000 to $75,000, and from $100,000 to $175,000 where the violation results in death, serious illness, or severe injury to any person or substantial destruction of property, and adds a minimum civil penalty for training violations of $450.
Requires a rulemaking within two years to set out procedures and criteria for evaluating applications for special permits and approvals. Requires a review and another rulemaking within three years to establish a means to incorporate special permits that have been in continuous effect for a ten-year period into the HMRs.
Requires States to submit to DOT a list of the State’s currently effective hazardous material highway route designations and to update that list every two years.
by ICC Compliance Center on June 27, 2012 at 10:16 am · in Safety, Uncategorized
Ergonomic conditions are disorders of the soft tissues often caused by factors such as overexertion while lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling or reaching, among other causes.
Each June, the National Safety Council encourages others to get involved and participate in National Safety Month. NSM is an annual observance to educate and influence behaviors around the leading causes of preventable injuries and deaths. Each week of the month carries a theme to bring attention to critical safety issues. This week, NSC is releasing helpful information and materials on preventing ergonomic conditions, such as overexertion.
According to the Injury Facts 2012 Edition, overexertion is the third leading cause of unintentional injuries in the United States, accounting for about 3.2 million emergency department visits.
Ergonomic conditions are disorders of the soft tissues often caused by factors such as overexertion while lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling or reaching, among other causes. Ergonomic conditions are best dealt with when caught early.
The signs of ergonomic conditions include:
pain
swelling
numbness
tingling
tenderness
clicking
loss of grip strength
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, make sure to see your physician or an occupational physician as soon as possible to determine the cause of your pain.
Visit the National Safety Council’s website this June at nsc.org/nsm for a factsheet and quiz on ergonomics.
Is your company committed to being compliant with Occupational Health & Safety (OSHA) and Transportation regulations? When is the last time you had a plant audit? Penalties, fines and punitive litigation for breaches of Occupational Health & Safety (OSHA) and Transportation and the resulting injuries are substantial.
As an employer, you are required to manage and control the numerous risks and hazards associated with your industry. You must also be aware of the ramifications of the Acts, Codes and Regulations that govern your workplace. ICC Compliance Center provides a full Occupational Health and Safety Advisory service.
The US Department of Transportation or Transport Canada randomly inspects plants and warehouses for health and safety violations in order to ensure companies are compliant with hazardous material regulations.
Arranging to have an ICC Compliance Center audit in advance of a random inspection, can help you demonstrate your company’s commitment to being compliant with the rules and regulations. ICC audits include a walkthrough and visual inspection to review the following:
Packaging standards
Labeling of packages and containers for WHMIS, OSHA, 49 CFR, TDG Clear Language and GHS
Shipping documentation
Material safety data sheets (MSDS)
Health and safety issues
Safety signs
Workplace labeling
Risk identification
Security
GHS Implementation
Let us help before the inspector visits!
Can you afford not to be compliant?
Our competitively priced comprehensive safety audits and inspections are an optimum way of increasing safety awareness in your workplace; ensuring peace of mind that you and your organization are complying with all Occupational Health and Safety requirements. Professional Occupational Health and Safety management helps to protect businesses, workers, families and the public from the trauma of accident and tragedy.
Our transportation audits review your process from beginning to end, looking at all 7 steps to compliance with the transportation regulations such as 49 CFR, TDG, IATA or IMDG. Clients receive a report specific to each area of the business, itemized with photos and pertinent regulations. The report is prioritized so all issues may be addressed as per their importance (high, medium, low). This allows employers to create a safety action plan and to budget effectively in order to address any occupational health and safety concerns.
ICC Compliance Center can help you pass your plant audit with complete success! Our regulatory specialists are ready to perform a complete audit of your plant at your convenience to ensure compliance with the different regulations such as Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations (TDGR), Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS), the Consumer Chemical Containers Regulations (CCCR), 49 CFR Hazardous Materials Regulations, and GHS.
Once the inspection is complete, the regulatory specialist will draft an extensive report including specific recommendations including any exemptions to ensure full compliance. These also include any exemptions from which you may benefit. Your account manager will then review the report in detail with you, help you understand our findings, and select the appropriate services to solve any problems. If necessary, the regulatory specialist can assist the account manager in delivering the report to a group, so all involved properly understand the results of the audit.
What are the final benefits to a plant audit?
You and your employees have a complete picture of your compliance situation.
You obtain the tools to meet your specific requirements for the various regulations and receive suggestions to streamline your shipments.
You can present a plan of action to any inspector who walks in unannounced.
You now have a partner in compliance to help you with all your hazardous materials needs.
Meet new regulatory specialist located in Houston, TX:
Regulatory Specialist David is located in Houston, TX. His specialty is dangerous goods, i.e. CFR 49, TDG, IATA, and IMDG, for global petrochemical manufacturer, Huntsman, and was responsible for all modes including railroad, highway, sea, and air, with bulk and non-bulk transportation containers. His knowledge comes from training and hands-on-experience including truck driving, warehousing, and bulk transferring, writing specifications for bulk and non-bulk packages and created the instructions the container manufacturers needed for compliance regulations and safe operations in handling for the employees and product quality.
To schedule your plant audit, or to find out more information, call one of our customer relations centers today: 888-442-9628 in the US or 888-977-4834 in Canada.
Getting ready to audit your facility? Ask us about our On Site Risk Analysis Audit Forms for various industries.
With the growing interest in organic gardening, many gardeners are turning to the Internet for inspiration. But some online recipes for homemade pesticides pack an unexpected — and potentially flammable — punch.
According to Health authorities, recipes that call for ingredients such as bleach, naphtha, gasoline or even kerosene are cropping up across the web, with little in the way of warnings or proper usage instructions. In a recent publication about homemade pesticides, Health authorities point out that while some recipes call for harmless ingredients (such as soap and water), recipes that include fuels can pose risks to human health or the environment if they are not handled or disposed of properly. Other possible risks associated with the preparation of these homemade pesticides include:
inhaling harmful fumes,
irritation of the eyes and skin,
contaminating cookware and utensils typically used to prepare food, and
contaminating your clothing.
Consider using preventative pest control methods that can reduce or eliminate the need for pesticides. For example, the following lawn maintenance practices can make your lawn more resistant to weed and insect infestations:
increasing mowing height
watering deeply
fertilizing
raking and spreading grass seed
aerating
If you choose to use a pesticide, Health authorities encourages the use of products identified as being registered under the Pest Control Products Act (PCPA). Registered pesticides are manufactured in facilities where appropriate measures are taken to protect workers and the environment. In addition, Health authorities review all of the available scientific information on the chemicals in these products to ensure that they meet the latest health and safety standards and are effective. All pesticides registered will have a PCP registration number on the label. Look for this number when purchasing a pesticide to be sure the product is registered for use in your country, and always follow all of the instructions on the label.
There are registered pesticides available in stores for use in your home and garden that have ingredients similar to those found in some homemade recipes. Before using any pesticide, check to see if there are local regulations about pesticide use in your area.
ICC Compliance Center is proud to introduce onsite training in the Houston area. We currently provide various types of hazardous materials/dangerous goods training and certification to meet our customers’ requirements, including live-classroom, web-based or instructor-led webinars and onsite training.
Our regulatory specialists will come to a location of your choice, eliminating any travel expenses for your employees (ex. gas, airfare, hotel, rental car and dining).
Our experienced staff can develop and deliver many types of programs created especially for your company’s individual dangerous goods and hazardous materials requirements (products, modes of transport, shipping systems, etc.), together with practical suggestions for effective implementation.
Customized Onsite Training Gives You Control Over:
Course structure
Class location, size and audience
Class schedule – schedule the training around your company’s workload
Confidential information – With only your employees present, sensitive and proprietary issues can be addressed and used as examples during class
Course retention – Studies have proven workers are able to learn more when they study together. The effects of a shared training experience continue long after the seminar has ended
David Lyle Ford has recently joined our team as a Regulatory Specialist, and specializes in dangerous goods, i.e. CFR 49, TDG, IATA, and IMDG. David came to ICC from a global petrochemical manufacturer where he was responsible for all modes of transport including railroad, highway, sea and air, with bulk and non-bulk transportation containers.
In addition to teaching regulations for CFR 49, TDG, IATA, and IMDG, David will utilize his strong experience to assist you and your team with:
Handling the complexities of trans-loading and help you reduce the liability and safety risks involved in bulk transport,
Preparing for an emergency incident before it happens. This includes assisting you in creating a plan that ensures employers and workers have the necessary equipment, know where to go, and know how to keep safe when an emergency occurs
David’s vision is to provide training that is easy to understand and guidance on how to ship dangerous goods safely.
Our transportation audits review your process from beginning to end, looking at all 7 steps to compliance with the transportation regulations such as 49 CFR, TDG, IATA or IMDG. Clients receive a report specific to each area of the business, itemized with photos and pertinent regulations. The report is prioritized so all issues may be addressed as per their importance (high, medium, low). This allows employers to create a safety action plan and to budget effectively in order to address any occupational health and safety concerns.
Regulatory Specialist David is located in Houston, TX. His specialty is dangerous goods, i.e. CFR 49, TDG, IATA, and IMDG, for global petrochemical manufacturer, Huntsman, and was responsible for all modes including railroad, highway, sea, and air, with bulk and non-bulk transportation containers. His knowledge comes from training and hands-on-experience including truck driving, warehousing, and bulk transferring, writing specifications for bulk and non-bulk packages and created the instructions the container manufacturers needed for compliance regulations and safe operations in handling for the employees and product quality.
