IHMM In-Person or Remotely Proctored Exams
IHMM is pleased to announce that the American National Standards Institute [ANSI] has approved Kryterion Remotely Proctored Exams for IHMM’s CHMM, CHMP, and CDGP exams. IHMM has been using the Kryterion Remotely Proctored Exams for the CSHM and CSMP exams since April, 2020.
About 65% of Kryterion in-person testing centers have reopened. If you prefer the comfort and convenience of taking your exam from your home or office instead of at a Kryterion center, IHMM is ready to enroll you in a remotely proctored examination.
Please contact either Kortney Tunstall at [email protected] for the CHMM, CHMP, or CDGP exams or Kaylene Cagle at [email protected] for the CSHM or CSMP exams.
Thursday, September 30, 2021
EHS Professional is an online publication of the Institute of Hazardous Materials Management (IHMM)
are compiled from independent sources and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of IHMM.
IHMM Credential Recognition
Below you will see the 3 EHS credential badges that are now in each CSHM, CSMP, and ASHM certificant’s MYIHMM account. Every IHMM certificant may use these badges, linked as those below are to their IHMM credential page, for their email signatures, business cards, and other social media applications. You’re justifiably proud of the accomplishment of having earned your credential and you can show the rest of the world. Simply right-click on the badge of choice, then save as to your computer, and then load it to wherever you want to use it and please link that back to https://ihmm.org/.
IHMM UPDATES
Need Help?
Need Help? On the IHMM website just click on the “NEED HELP?” button
and let us know what you need and the right person will get right back with you.
…Is Rebranding to Become…
June Brock-Carroll, Board Member and Treasurer
IHMM 2021 Board of Directors Election
Each year, one or more seats are about to become vacant on the IHMM Board of Directors as a person’s term or tenure is ending. In 2021, the position held for the CHMP seat on the Board will become vacant as June Brock-Carroll’s first term ends on 12/31/2021.
June is running for re-election to another 4-year term, unopposed.
June’s Nomination Papers Are Here
Every IHMM certificant in good standing will receive an email from IHMM with a discreet identification number that may only be voted once. The Election begins October 1, 2021, and runs through October 31, 2021. Results will be announced on November 9, 2021, in IHMM Today.
HMS Annual Meeting – September 30, 2021 – 2.00 pm Eastern
Annual HMS Membership Meeting is scheduled on Thursday, September 30th at 2:00 p.m. EDT. The link to the Free Conference hosted virtual meeting is below and in the attached draft agenda:
Dial-in number: (425) 436-6280
Access code: 778407
Online meeting ID: jnguyen14
Online meeting link: https://join.freeconferencecall.com/jnguyen14
After a call to order, each BoD member will introduce themselves and make a statement regarding their work with HMS. Then, we will conduct the HMS business as presented in the attached draft agenda. I’ve also attached the copy of the original bylaws and a blackline copy of the changes as recommended by the HMS BoD and edited by Kermit Rader, Esq., the HMS BoD member. Kermit and the balance of the HMS BoD will be available on this call to answer any questions regarding these changes. Updates of the E&T programs and a solicitation for this year’s scholarship will follow.
As the draft agenda suggests, Board liaisons to HMS committees and/or committee chairs present an update on each committee’s latest activities and plans. In addition, Ron Wilkins, HMS’s Finance Committee chair and BoD member will present the financial status of our group.
Lastly, I will discuss HMS’s plans for the near future and solicit any questions you may have.
A voice vote is anticipated for the recommended bylaws changes. However, if the group is too large or a voice result is unclear, a roll call vote is administered by our moderator, Jimmy Nguyen of the Institute. Should the group be too large to complete such a vote in a reasonable time (> ~70 members), a chat message with a link to a survey monkey request will be sent to each member in attendance in anticipation of your vote. Information supplied during this process will be used to verify your attendance and member status.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter and your participation in the Hazardous Material Society’s second Annual Membership Meeting.
Bob West, Chairman of the Hazardous Materials Society (HMS)
Call for Volunteers – IHMM CSSS-CSSM Committee
IHMM is calling for CSSS and CSSM volunteers to participate in the CSSS-CSSM Committee. IHMM inherited the CSSS and CSSM credentials when it acquired ISHM in April 2019. The CSSS and CSSM credentials have no job task analysis, no blueprints, no exams, or item banks. Now that IHMM has spent the past 18 months establishing the updated processes to recreate the CSHM and CSMP credentials, we can turn to the CSSS and CSSM designations.
IHMM welcomes CSSS and CSSM designation holders to volunteer and participate in the committee. Volunteering may be done here > https://ihmm.org/csss-cssm-committee/
IHMM CSHM Scheme Committee
The IHMM CSHM Scheme Committee is expected to complete the task of creating a new blueprint for the credential by Q4 of 2021. When released, this will lead to IHMM creating a separate group to organize the creation of new supporting text materials as well as working to create a new exam preparatory course.
Call for Volunteers – IHMM CSMP Scheme Committee
IHMM’s Certified Safety and Management Practitioner (CSMP) Scheme Committee has an immediate vacancy for volunteers. The CSMP Scheme Committee consists of subject matter experts whose responsibilities are twofold:
1) To develop and maintain valid, legally defensible, and credible certification examinations, and
2) To recommend and maintain standards for recertification, to evaluate activities that may be claimed for recertification, and to hear appeals of recertification decisions in accordance with the latest approved policies and procedures.
The policies and procedures are based upon professionally recognized psychometric principles and on the standards of the accreditation body(ies) by which IHMM is accredited or recognized.
To participate in the Committee, it requires that members attend virtual meetings, participate in teleconferences to work on Job Task Analysis, item writing, psychometric and technical review, and standard-setting. Members of the committee are required to hold confidential all exam related information, and may not be involved in activities that train or prepare candidates for any IHMM examination(s), or be willing to cease such activities for the duration of service on the Committee and for a period of five (5) years thereafter. Committee membership is awarded in 2-year increments.
In January 2020, IHMM began a new Job Task Analysis (JTA) to develop a new CSMP Test Specifications (Blueprint). The Committee meets via teleconference and the web and it will take approximately 20 hours of participation, and at times work on individual assignments. The teleconference and web meetings range from 1-2 hours in duration. All committee members will receive training. If you would like to contribute to the continued vitality of the Institute and the CSMP credential. You will earn 10 certification maintenance points (CMPs) per year toward your recertification for your participation, and an additional 10 CMPs for participating in the Job Task Analysis.
If you are interested, please send your resume and a cover letter indicating that you understand the commitment of approximately 20 hours of participation to begin the development of the new examination blueprint to M. Patricia Buley at [email protected]. Please put CSMP Scheme Committee in the subject line.
The application deadline for this opportunity is Friday, October 8.
IHMM
IHMM is pleased to announce that three new credential videos are underway for the CSHM, CSMP, and ASHM credentials. These videos follow the two credential videos already produced for the CHMM and CHMP; see https://youtu.be/EGAChcNVeeY and https://youtu.be/tAV-RlKeHJ4
IHMM is also completing an update with Association Anywhere/MYIHMM to facilitate the transition of former ISHM credential holders [CSHM and CSMP] to participate in the IHMM recertification system. When formally announced, CSHM and CSMP credential holders will have one year to complete what will be a simple process of recertification.
IHMM has been soliciting responses to its RFP for a 360° cybersecurity audit of its operations and those of the contractors with whom IHMM works. IHMM has solid cybersecurity protection and is making sure that status remains ahead of the curve.
IHMM has just completed its application for ANSI/ANAB accreditation audit for the 2020-2021 year. The strength of credentials is based on the strength of their accreditation and IHMM’s ANSI/ANAB accreditation is the gold standard.
Federal court blocks CMS vaccine mandate
A federal judge in Louisiana has granted a preliminary injunction against the COVID-19 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) vaccine mandate following a lawsuit filed by Montana and 13 other states.
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen previously told MTN the Nov. 5 CMS rule is not only unconstitutional, but also will exacerbate the shortage of health care workers, by leading many of them to quit or be fired because they won’t get vaccinated. In addition, a new Montana law that was passed this year by Republican legislators prohibits most private businesses from requiring their employees to be vaccinated.
The CMS vaccine mandate was set to take effect Monday, Dec. 6 and would have required most hospitals and other health-care facilities to have their employees vaccinated against Covid-19 by January.
The ruling by United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty, appointed by former President Trump in 2017, of the Western District of Louisiana puts a hold on enacting the mandate until the case is decided.
Doughty’s order states: “During a pandemic such as this one, it is even more important to safeguard the separation of powers set forth in our Constitution to avoid erosion of our liberties.”
The judge states the Biden Administration does not have the power to bypass Congress, but also notes, “This matter will ultimately be decided by a higher court than this one.”
National Safety Council
IHMM is a member of the National Safety Council and is pleased to bring this important information to all of its certificants.
NSC Webinars
- January 19 – Understanding OSHA 1910.134 Respiratory Protection Program Requirements
- January 20 – Common OSHA Training Violations: What you can do to protect your company and your workers
- January 27 – Hazard Communication – Past, Present and Future
- February 2 – Celebrating Safety! Positive Reinforcement with Validity and Reliability
- February 3 – COVID-19 Update – The Latest on Mandates and Best Practices
- February 10 – Top 5 OSHA Safety Training Topics: Requirements and Best Practices for Safety and Health
Due to the progression of the COVID-19 pandemic and its cascading effects on safety and health, work, travel, and large gatherings, all SafetyFOCUS events are now virtual. Our hope is that this format will make SafetyFOCUS events more accessible while offering the same networking opportunities and high-quality education you expect from ASSP. IHMM is a member of ASSP and we are pleased to send all IHMM certificants and you may learn more here.
Safety and Health This Week
- MSHA publishes posters on wintertime hazards
- DOL adjusts civil penalty amounts for inflation
- Despite PPE, medical instrument sterilization workers may face hazardous exposures
- Setting Realistic Safety Goals for 2022
- Respiratory protection: NIOSH publishes toolbox talk
- Wrapping Up 2021: Looking Towards the Future with Gratitude
- Addressing the Safety of Temporary Workers
- ASSP Sees Uncertainty in Workplace Fatalities
Latest Safety Tips
Latest Solutions
Where do CSMPs Work?
IHMM credentials are known and highly regarded worldwide. Below is the evidence of just a few reasons why IHMM promotion of its credentials – all of them – matters to governments, employers, and the employees who work so hard to acquire our credentials and keep them up-to-date. Here are only a few examples of the companies and governments that hire IHMM CSMPs…
Environment & Safety Recent Updates
- The Essential Guide: Safety Regulations
- J. J. Keller Announces Safety Professional of the Year (SPOTY) Award Winners
- Suicide Prevention Month: Creating a healthier, happier workplace
- Dave Johnson’s Wide World of Safety podcast
- Be aware of both DOT and OSHA regulations for forklift operator training
- 7 Steps to Help You Manage EHSQ Incidents that Could Derail your Business
- US Department of Labor awards more than $11.6M in grants to educate workers, employers on workplace safety, health
- Creating Resilient Water Utilities Workshop Training Series October and November 2021
- Climate Change vs. Worker Health: How Companies can Protect Employees amid Rising Climate Temperatures and Comply with the New OSHA Directive on Heat Illness Prevention
- Fatal Four: The Construction Industry’s Most Dangerous Hazards
- US Department of Labor awards $1M in Brookwood-Sago grants for mine safety education, training to 13 recipients
- US Department of Labor announces $29M in grants for job training, supportive services in Appalachian region, Lower Mississippi Delta
- Labor Department Officials Frustrated With White House Over COVID-19 Vaccine and Testing Mandate
- OSHA Holds Public Hearing on Proposed Amendments to the Hazard Communication Standard
- OSHA Workplace Safety Training: 10- and 30-Hour Compliance Course
- White House Task Force Announces New COVID Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors
- Is climate change a worker safety issue?
- Harnessing IoT Solutions for Workplace Safety
- Catching Up on the 2021 Clean Water Act Releases
- OSHA WORKPLACE SAFETY TRAINING
- California Raises the Stakes for Workplace Safety Compliance with New Penalties
- If Your House Is On Fire You Run’: Workers Strike for Safety At Understaffed Mental Health Center
- GM issues warning to salary workers who have not reported vaccination status
- Sask. NDP calls on government to expand Occupational Health And Safety provisions to gig, contract workers
- New York State Issues Updated Model Workplace Safety Plans and FAQ Guidance Under the HERO Act
- How Can We Keep Frontline Workers Safe?
- Is climate change a worker safety issue?
- All workers safe after rescue out of mine in Canada
- Workplace Safety and Productivity Go Hand in Hand
- COVID-19 Workplace Safety Guidance Issued for Federal Contractors and Subcontractors Imposes Major New Employee Vaccination and Other Requirements
- California Raises the Stakes for Workplace Safety Compliance with New Penalties
- SB 606 Workplace Safety Legislation
- Computer vision-powered workplace safety systems could lead to bias and other harms
- Republicans at Odds Over Infrastructure Bill as Vote Approaches
IHMM is a member of ASSP and is pleased to bring this important information to all of its certificants.
ASSP News
- 5 Ways to Commit to Your Safety Career in 2022
- Final Days of Discounted Rate for SafetyFOCUS 2022
- The Current State of Our Society
- ASSP Sees Uncertainty in Workplace Fatality Report
- Safety Professionals Turn to ASSP for Knowledge
- Q&A: Proactively Preparing for OSHA’s COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard
ASSP Webinars
- January 19, 2022 – Implementing the Hierarchy of Controls to Reduce Risk
- January 26, 2022 – Mitigating Liability and Managing Safety on Multiemployer Work Sites
- February 2, 2022 – Women in Safety: What it Means for Women to Lead
- February 9, 2022 – Human & Organizational Performance: Viewing Safety Through a Different Lens
- February 16, 2022 – Turning over the right stones: Keys to building an incident investigation process that delivers results
- February 21, 2022 – Live Virtual Classroom: Analytics for Safety: A New Approach to Performance Measurement
- February 21, 2022 – Analytics for Safety: A New Approach to Performance Measurement
- February 21-23, 2022 – Live Virtual Classroom: Safety Management I
- February 21-23, 2022 – Live Virtual Classroom: Corporate Safety Management
Did You Know?
OSHA awarded 93 nonprofit organizations more than $11.6 million in grants to fund education and training programs on hazard recognition, injury prevention, and workers’ rights. Visit our website to learn more about OSHA training grants.
National Preparedness Month
National Preparedness Month (NPM) is an observance each September to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time. The 2021 theme is “Prepare to Protect. Preparing for disasters is protecting everyone you love.”
For the first time in its history, the Ready Campaign, in partnership with the Ad Council, identified the Hispanic community as a key audience, and will launch a series of Public Service Advertisements specifically designed to encourage preparedness within the underserved demographic.
Hazardous Materials Society [HMS] Scholarship Applications – DEADLINE November 1, 2021
Dan Levine, Chair of the HMS Scholarship Committee is pleased to announce that HMS Scholarship applications for 2021 are live and available on the HMS website.
Visit the HMS Scholarship page and click the big red button that says APPLY NOW GET THE APPLICATION FORM HERE!
Thank you to Dan and his committee for getting the HMS Scholarship open in 2021, and for more information and the application form, please visit the website link above.
HMS Education and Training
Hazardous Materials Society now has 6,347 education and training programs on its website, with more coming every week. Certificants will note that most of these programs carry a CMP value, making it easier to know in advance what to expect. The HMS Education and Training platform also provides a wide variety of courses for professional development across all of IHMM’s credentials – and more are being developed by the HMS Education and Training Committee.
IHMM applicants and certificants are free to search the landscape for training. IHMM wanted to make that task easier by aggregating training in one place if you choose to use it. Among these more than 6.000 programs are webinars delivered online and virtually all carry IHMM CMPs values with them for your annual / 5-year CMP planning.
Member Benefits of Hazardous Materials Society
81% of IHMM certificants are aware of the Hazardous Materials Society, which we appreciate. IHMM established the Hazardous Materials Society in order to support and provide services to IHMM certificants.
Did You Know?
Your company’s membership dues for Associate Membership in the Hazardous Materials Society (HMS) are 100% tax-deductible and your participation directly supports scholarship and education/training opportunities for professionals working in hazmat and EHS. Joining as an Associate Member expresses your commitment and your company’s leadership in giving back to our professional community. Join today to claim your tax deduction for the 2020 tax year while expressing your company’s professional affiliation and accessing tools for your marketing and business development plans.
To learn more about what HMS is doing now and what they are planning for the future, please see the new Member Benefits page here.
CHEMTREC Becomes An HMS Annual Training Agenda Vendor
HMS is pleased to announce CHEMTREC [https://www.chemtrec.com/] has become an education and training vendor and a part of the development of the HMS Annual Training Agendas.
CHEMTREC is an Emergency Response Information Provider (ERIP). CHEMTREC is the premier call center for hazmat emergency response coordination. CHEMTREC’s world-leading call center operates on a 24-hour basis, seven days a week, providing emergency response information wherever hazardous materials are manufactured, stored, transported, or used. With the right procedures and protocols in place, and by doing what’s right quickly and effectively, CHEMTREC helps minimize environmental impacts, protect people, and preserve the assets and reputations of its customers.
Operating globally, CHEMTREC has offices in major regions and on-the-ground knowledge of local regulations, understanding of local nuances, and appreciation of cultural sensitivities. CHEMTREC offers a suite of services along with L1 emergency response, including SDS management and authoring, hazardous materials training, crisis management, L2/L3 notification services, carrier solutions, data reporting, and lithium battery solutions. CHEMTREC is proud to contribute to the practice of safe handling and transportation of hazardous materials throughout the supply chain.
IHMM/HMS Coronavirus Resources
In February of 2020, the World Health Organization’s director-general has declared a public health emergency of international concern over the ongoing outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus. On March 13, 2020 President Trump declared a national emergency for the United States. IHMM and HMS’ first concern is with the safety and health of all of us; our staff and families, colleagues, certificants and members. We will update this page regularly as credible, authoritative information is available.
INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS, PUBLIC HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, AND LABORATORIES.
In February of 2020, the World Health Organization’s director-general has declared a public health emergency of international concern over the ongoing outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus. On March 13, 2020 President Trump declared a national emergency for the United States. IHMM and HMS’ first concern is with the safety and health of all of us; our staff and families, colleagues, certificants and members. We will update this page regularly as credible, authoritative information is available.
INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS, PUBLIC HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, AND LABORATORIES.
Environmental Workshops Becomes An HMS Annual Training Agenda Vendor
HMS is pleased to announce Environmental Workshops, LLC [https://enviroworkshops.com/] has become an education and training vendor and a part of the development of the HMS Annual Training Agendas.
Environmental Workshops, headquartered in North Carolina, is the largest training organization for environmental professionals worldwide. Since 2013, we have been training environmental professionals on the latest technologies in the industry. We have hosted over 300 workshops on 6 continents and more than 25,000 people have registered for our Professional Development Hours (PDH). Our sponsors are leaders in the environmental market and many of our speakers hold multiple patents and degrees. Their presentations address the following topics: Remediation, Vapor Intrusion, Air Monitoring, Air Quality, and Waste Water.
Columbia Southern University
The Hazardous Materials Society [HMS] is a partner of Columbia Southern University. Columbia Southern University is an online university based in Orange Beach, Alabama, that strives to change and improve lives through higher education by enabling students to maximize their professional and personal potential.
A subsidiary of Columbia Southern Education Group, CSU offers online degree programs at the associate, bachelor, master, doctorate or certificate levels in a multitude of areas such as occupational safety and health, fire administration, criminal justice, business administration, human resource management, health care administration and more. CSU also features undergraduate and graduate certificate programs to provide focused training in specialized areas for adult learners.
Click on the CSU graphic at left and learn more about the professional development and degree program opportunities at CSU.
IHMM CONFERENCES FOR 2021 & 2022
IHMM will attend and support a number of conferences and trade shows throughout 2021, virtually as well as in-person as COVID issues allow. Below are some of the conferences IHMM will support in 2021.
Are there conferences you believe IHMM should attend that do not appear here? If so, let us know! Send an email to Jillian Wood and tell us what conferences we should attend.
Ohio Safety Conference 2022
March 9-10, 2022
In March 2022, OSC22 will feature a premium lineup of online learning sessions and a newly enhanced digital expo.
Exhibitors to feature their products and services related to the safety of workers, their equipment, environment, and health all in a remote and virtual environment. Join us to access this exciting event that serves the individuals responsible for keeping Ohio’s workers safe on the job.
American Society of Safety Professionals – San Francisco
March 10, 2022
San Ramon, California
This Annual Symposium provides one of the most sought-after events for attendees to learn the profession’s best practices focusing on Safety, Health, Industrial Hygiene & Environmental Issues. The Symposium is attended by over 400+ attendees annually and features an Exhibition of over 40+ Sponsors and Exhibitors. The event features a keynote speaker and 20 breakout sessions with five concurrent tracks running throughout the day. The event is hosted at the San Ramon Marriott, located at 2600 Bishop Drive in San Ramon, California.
Thank you to Bart Miller, CHMM, for being the IHMM’s leader for this event.
AHMP National Conference
March 20-23, 2022
Planet Hollywood Resort, Las Vegas, Nevada
Pre-conference workshops at the AHMP National Conference for 2022 include a Certified Dangerous Goods Professional [CDGP] exam prep course offered by Gene Sanders. The 3-day exam prep course will be offered on March 18-19-20. For more information see> https://ahmp.confex.com/ahmp/2022/meetingapp.cgi/Session/5584
Information about the AHMP National Conference is found here.
April 4-7, 2022
Charlotte, North Carolina
Contaminated soil, groundwater, and the air is a global issue and over $1 trillion is spent every year to mitigate pollution. There is a lot still to learn from each other on how each segment of the environmental industry impacts the next. The 2021 Global EnviroSummit is postponed until April 4-7, 2022 due to COVID-19 Delta variant.
With over 75 speakers from around the globe, the EnviroSummit is likely the first environmental conference that will have presentations from all 6 continents about 4 different themes – Remediation, Air Quality, Vapor Intrusion, and Wastewater.
COSTHA Annual Forum and Expo
April 4-6, 2022
Beltway Buzz – Ogletree & Deakins
Congressional Update, Part I: Budget Brinksmanship. This time next week, we could be in the middle of a government shutdown. Always the masters of brinksmanship, our congressional legislators still do not have a deal to extend federal government funding beyond September 30, 2021. The U.S. House of Representatives this week passed a continuing resolution to extend government funding into December 2021, and increase the debt limit through December 2022. For months, Republicans have been arguing that because Democrats are pursuing a $3.5 trillion-spending package unilaterally, they must also extend the debt limit unilaterally. Who will blink first? Will Democrats strip the debt language from the legislation and agree to a “clean” continuing resolution, or will Republicans agree to the debt limit extension in order to keep the government running? In any event, the Office of Management and Budget has issued its “Agency Contingency Plans” in the event of a lapse in funding.
The last federal government shutdown occurred between December 22, 2018, and January 25, 2019, and it was one for the record books. Literally. The 35-day closure was the longest in the history of the United States.
Congressional Update, Part II: Immigration Provisions Nixed. Last week, the Buzz discussed Democrats’ efforts to include within their $3.5 trillion reconciliation package language that would provide pathways to citizenship for various groups of undocumented immigrants. This week, the U.S. Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough ruled that such language could not be included in a reconciliation bill because it is ancillary to federal budgetary matters: “Changing the law to clear the way to [lawful permanent residence] status is tremendous and enduring policy change that dwarfs its budgetary impact,” MacDonough wrote.
The Heat Is On! The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) this week announced multiple initiatives to address excessive heat in the workplace.
Enforcement. OSHA recently implemented “an enforcement initiative to prevent and protect employees from serious heat-related illnesses and deaths while working in hazardous hot indoor or outdoor environments.” The initiative specifically calls for increased enforcement on “heat priority days” (i.e., “when the heat index exceeds 80°F”), and instructs OSHA area offices to:
“[p]rioritize inspections of heat-related complaints, referrals, and employer-reported illnesses”;
instruct worksite investigators “to be vigilant of circumstances where employees may be performing moderate or more strenuous work in hot conditions during heat priority days”; and
“[e]xpand the scope of other programmed or unprogrammed inspections to address heat-related hazards” that may be present.
NEP. OSHA is developing a national emphasis program (NEP), “which will target high-risk industries and focus agency resources and staff time on heat inspections.”
Rulemaking. OSHA announced that in October 2021 it would issue an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) “to gather diverse perspectives and technical expertise on topics including heat stress thresholds, heat acclimatization planning, exposure monitoring, and strategies to protect workers.” As readers of the Buzz already know, this really isn’t news, as OSHA forecasted the introduction of a heat standard in the 2021 Spring Regulatory Agenda (although the item was styled as a request for information, rather than an ANPRM).
Federal Contractor Vax Guidance? Today, September 24, 2021, is the date by which the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force is scheduled to release implementing guidance pursuant to President Joe Biden’s executive order aimed at requiring employees of federal contractors to be vaccinated against COVID-19. While we wait for this guidance, the task force has updated its recommendations in a way that could have a significant impact on the scope of coverage of the vaccination requirement. More specifically, pursuant to new frequently asked questions, “[a]gencies are strongly encouraged to incorporate vaccination requirements into contracts that are not covered by Executive Order 14042,” such as “contracts under the Simplified Acquisition Threshold.” The simplified acquisition threshold is currently $250,000.
Administration Eases COVID-19 International Travel Restrictions. This week, the Biden administration announced that it would lift restrictions on international travel into the United States and instead require such travelers to demonstrate proof of vaccination against COVID-19. Andrew G. Drozdowski and Sarah P. Chiang have the details.
Joint-Employer Rule Effective Date Extended. The effective date of the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) rescission of the Trump-era joint-employer rule has been pushed back from September 28, 2021, to October 5, 2021. According to the DOL, the slight delay is necessary to comply with the reporting requirements of the Congressional Review Act.
Buzz Slips on Tips. The Buzz jumped the gun last week discussing the imminent arrival of the DOL’s “dual jobs” tips regulation. Here is what happened. The Biden administration bifurcated its rulemaking effort to address the 2020 final tip rule, and the regulation that is on the move actually deals with civil money penalties, not dual jobs. The civil money penalties rule, which was published in the Federal Register on September 24, 2021, allows the DOL to assess penalties against employers that retain employees’ tips, even if not done “repeatedly or willfully.” The dual jobs proposal remains under review. The new rule on civil money penalties goes into effect on November 23, 2021.
Grassley Gears Up. While going for a jog today at 4 AM, Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) announced that he will seek an eighth term in the U.S. Senate in 2022. The Hawkeye State lawmaker turned 88 years old last Friday, September 17, and recently completed his annual tour—sometimes referred to as the “full Grassley”—of Iowa’s 99 counties (some view the tour as a genuine way to keep in touch with constituents, while others view it as a publicity stunt).
Grassley has been in elected office since 1959, when he was elected to the Iowa House of Representatives—a position he held until 1975. He then served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1975 to 1981, at which time he began his first term as U.S. Senator.
Beginning with President Jimmy Carter, Grassley has served during eight different presidential administrations.
If Grassley wins and completes his term, he will overtake Strom Thurmond (D, R, SC) as the third longest serving senator in history at 48 years. Only Daniel K. Inouye (D-HI) (nearly 50 years) and Robert C. Byrd (D-WV) (51 years) will have served longer. If Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) runs and wins in 2022, and serves his full term, he will overtake the top spot at 54 years.
IHMM is a member of the Professional Certification Coalition [PCC] and is pleased to pass along this important information to our certificants
Professional Certification Coalition [PCC] October Fly-In
PCC will host a “virtual fly-in” on October 6 at 1:00 p.m. ET to urge Members of Congress to support our two high-priority federal bills: H.R. 2171/S. 905, the Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act, and the soon-to-be-introduced REBUILD Skills Act. Visit our website to register.
The goal of the fly-in is to encourage Members of Congress to cosponsor each of these bills and to persuade them to request that congressional leaders allow the bills to move expeditiously, either on a standalone basis or as part of a larger legislative package. We are pleased to announce that Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), the author of the Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act, is confirmed to speak to participating PCC members at the beginning of the virtual fly-in. After the Congresswoman’s remarks and an internal PCC member strategy and prep session, PCC members will participate in virtual meetings with their Members of Congress (arranged either by the PCC or by the PCC members, depending on preference/availability).
Below is additional background on our priority legislation:
- The bipartisan Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act would permit individuals to use funds in 529 savings plans to cover costs associated with obtaining and maintaining certification (including testing-related expenses), and/or for expenses for training required to obtain such credentials.
- The Resources and Education to Build(REBUILD) Skills Act would permit certification organizations and training programs to provide scholarships (up to $3,000) for certification-related and training expenses to individuals displaced from employment during the pandemic or who recently came off active duty from military service (along with spouses of recently discharged service members). The organizations offering such scholarships would be able to apply for a payroll tax credit to compensate them for those scholarships. The U.S. Department of Labor would maintain a list of approved (i.e., credible) certification and training organizations that could participate, which could serve as a great resource for individuals seeking to identify legitimate certification and training opportunities and would promote the certification community writ large.
OSHA – Request for Information on the Mechanical Power Presses Standard
OSHA – Request for Information on the Mechanical Power Presses StandardThe U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is requesting information and comment on issues related to the mechanical power presses standard. OSHA is seeking information regarding whether it should update the mechanical power presses standard and, if so, how closely the standard should follow the current ANSI standard for mechanical power presses. It is also seeking information on the types of presses that should be covered, the use and certification of equipment, and other topics such as presence-sensing device initiation (PSDI) systems, and requirements for press modifications, training, and injury reporting. Please reference the Federal Register here.
Individuals may submit comments electronically at http://www.regulations.gov (Docket No. OSHA-2007-0003, which also includes documents referenced by OSHA in the RFI). Please refer to the Federal Register notice for additional details. The deadline for submitting comments is October 26, 2021.
Vendor Alert: 884 – How much of this business did you get?
IHMM has seen a 100% jump in applications and examinations over 2019, and for the first 8 months of 2021, we stand at 884. 244 new certificants and 640 more awaiting examinations. How much of this business did your company see?
If you’re missing out contact Diane McLevy at [email protected] and see how you can benefit from a relationship with IHMM and HMS.
IHMM-HMS EVENTS CALENDAR
IHMM has a companion organization for which education and training programs are presented and delivered. The Hazardous Materials Society education and training website can be found here.
9210 Corporate Boulevard, Suite 470
Rockville, Maryland, 20850
www.ihmm.org | [email protected]
Phone: 301-984-8969 | Fax: 301-984-1516
