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Thursday, May 26, 2022
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 Certificant Recognition
IHMM has completed inserting new credential badges in every certificant’s MYIHMM account. Everyone may access those badges for use in their email signatures, LinkedIn accounts, and other social media and communications media. With a link from your credential badge to the IHMM website [see above] you can not only stand out as an IHMM-certified professional, you can also promote IHMM credentials to others. Right-click on the badge of choice, save as to your computer, then load it to whatever medium you choose.
Throughout our certificant’s MYIHMM accounts are also now placed 10 Year, 20 Year, and 30 Year badges signifying their longevity as an IHMM certified professional.
IHMM has also added Distinguished Diplomates and Fellows of the Institute badges to the appropriate people in the MYIHMM database. These two badges will be accompanied by new lapel pins to be sent to each of those distinguished by holding these designations.
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.
IHMM Credentials Accredited By
Did You Know?
88% of job seekers said “help my career progression” was the biggest reason for earning their Certified Safety and Health Manager (CSHM)
75% said earning their Certified Safety and Health Manager (CSHM) helped them make more money
50% said earning their Certified Safety and Health Manager (CSHM) helped them get a job
88% said they would recommend a family member or friend earn their Certified Safety and Health Manager (CSHM)
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Recognizes IHMM CSHM
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Safety and Health Requirements Manual (EM 385-1-1) is the gold standard for Safety and Occupational Health regulations. The manual holds a long history dating back to 1941 and is designed to facilitate the standardization of all safety programs. The EM 385-1-1 prescribes the safety and health requirements for all Corps of Engineers activities and operations. The USACE is soliciting comments on the proposed revisions to EM 385-1-1. USACE intends to update the manual and periodically thereafter, to reflect such public input, experience, and innovation. The agency will address significant comments received in the next revision of this manual.
USACE EM 385-1-1 is undergoing revisions and recognizes the IHMM Certified Safety and Health Manager [CSHM] credential.
IHMM is submitting comments to the proposed revisions to the EM 385-1-1 to also include the CSMP and CHMM credentials. Comments are due by June 13, 2022 and you will find IHMM’s comments here.
US EPA Adoption of New Phase I ASTM Standard E1527 Delayed by Adverse Comments
Back in November of 2021, ASTM International issued its revised Standard Practice E1527-21 to replace its 2013 version setting forth the specific procedures and requirements for environmental professionals preparing Phase I environmental site assessments. Preparation of a Phase I report under this Standard satisfies one of the obligations under the All Appropriate Inquiries (AAI) Rule for asserting the Bona Fide Prospective Purchaser (BFPP) protection to liability for property owners under CERCLA. The new standard contains a number of substantive changes from the 2013 version. Click here to continue reading
U.S. Small Business Administration Recognizes the IHMM CHMM
SBA’s environmental policies and procedures apply to all SBA Lenders on all 7(a) and 504 loan programs, except where otherwise indicated. For 7(a) loans, failure to comply with the provisions of this paragraph may result in a denial of SBA’s guaranty. Prudent lending practices may dictate additional Environmental Investigations or safeguards. These policies are embodied in SBA SOP 50 10 6, Lender and Development Company Loan Program.
Appendix 4 of the SBA SOP requires that an “Environmental Professional,” as defined by 40 CFR §312.10, perform the Phase 1 or Phase II environmental assessments that may be required prior to closing an SBA-backed loan.
IHMM Board Nominations Open
Heather Waldmann, CHMM, Chair of the IHMM Nominating Committee [https://ihmm.org/nominating-committee/], is pleased to announce the opening of the Board nominating season for 2022.
In 2022 the IHMM Nominating Committee solicits candidates for three [3] director positions that will be open on January 1, 2021. [1] Certified Dangerous Goods Professional [CDGP], [1] Certified Safety and Health Manager [CSHM], and [1] At-Large, that can be either a CHMM, CDGP, CHMP, CSHM, or CSMP.
The documents describing the nominations and elections process and forms for submitting nominations are here:
Call for Volunteers – IHMM Sustainability Task Force
Do you have a background in ESG / Corporate sustainability? If you do, then Mark Bruce, CHMM, CSHM, Chair of the IHMM Sustainability Task Force, seeks your participation in the Task Force. See > https://ihmm.org/ihmm-sustainability-task-force/
The Sustainability Task Force is investigating the potential of creating an IHMM credential for ESG / Corporate Sustainability and making any recommendations toward that end to the IHMM Board of Directors.
If this growing arena of corporate attention interests you, please join us! Go to: https://ihmm.org/ihmm-sustainability-task-force/ and click on the Volunteer button.
IHMM Committee and Task Force volunteers earn 10 CMPs annually for volunteering.
IHMM Fellows Becoming Mentors
IHMM Fellows Committee Chair Atanu Das, CHMM, is leading the effort within the IHMM Collaboration networking platform to provide instruction to the more than 75 IHMM Fellows in becoming mentors.
Given the extraordinary experience Fellows have, this is a unique opportunity for IHMM Fellows to help guide more recent certificants in their professional development activities.
IHMM’s Collaboration platform contains a “Mentor Match” module [see below at right] that allows mentors to signup designating the hours, number of mentees, subject areas, and length of time they wish to mentor – as well as allowing mentees to signup requesting assistance in specified areas. The mentor match module does the rest by matching mentors and mentees.
Recert Video #1
Recert Video #2
IHMM Recertification Videos
IHMM is pleased to release two YouTube instructional videos about navigating the IHMM recertification process. These step-by-step videos easily enable IHMM certificants to start and complete a recertification application.
While the full recertification cycle is 5 years, IHMM encourages all certificants to start a recertification application and add certification maintenance points as they are earned to make the final submission quick and easy to accomplish.
- Every CSHM and CSMP should start a recertification application now.
- Even if your recertification is years away, starting an application now and adding your accumulated points enables you to see where you are all the time and it makes it very easy when you have to file your application
Annual IHMM Excellence in EHS Management Award
Each year IHMM is proud to recognize the outstanding achievements and distinction of the CSHM, CSMP, or ASHM that has made a worthy contribution to the communities of practice and the profession.
This award is usually given at the annual National Safety Council Congress.
Nominations begin in March and end in July. Make your nomination here.
Announcing Safe + Sound Week 2022: August 15-21
Safe + Sound Week is a nationwide event held each August that recognizes the successes of workplace health and safety programs and offers information and ideas on how to keep America’s workers safe.
Develop your Safety + Health Program
Why Participate?
Successful safety and health programs can proactively identify and manage workplace hazards before they cause injury or illness, improving sustainability and the bottom line. Participating in Safe + Sound Week can help get your program started, energize an existing one, or provide a chance to recognize your safety successes.
Who Participates?
All organizations looking for an opportunity to recognize their commitment to safety are welcome to participate. Last year, more than 5,300 businesses helped to raise awareness about workers’ health and safety!
Check out our event archive for information on previous years’ engagement.
Horizontal Showcase – SafetySkills
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 News
- FMCSA extends, amends regulatory relief for truckers hauling pandemic-related goods
- North Carolina DOL library offers new safety videos
- Rate of fatal injuries in construction up more than 10% between 2011 and 2020: CPWR report
- OSHA standard on preventing violence in health care ‘a priority,’ Marty Walsh tells lawmakers
- Appeals court upholds fine for mine worker’s inspection tip-off
- ANSI/ISEA standard on workplace first aid kits gets update
- 2022 Job Outlook
NSC Webinars
IHMM News & Recent Updates
- U.S. removes over 30 kilograms of highly enriched uranium from Japan
- Welcome to the Safety Climate – Safety Management Information System (SC-SMIS)
- PHMSA Safety Advisory: Disposal and Recycling of Lithium Batteries in Commercial Transportation
- Reinstated Superfund Excise Tax Imposed on Certain Chemical Substances
- Amendments to National Marine Sanctuary Regulations
- Benchmarking Organizational Commitment to ESG
- Webinar: Next-Generation Sustainability: Go Beyond Reporting to Drive Environmental, Safety, and Operational Performance
- Study: U.S. forests provide 83M people with half their water
- Interior invests $240M in water infrastructure repairs
- An OSHA directive provides guidance for inspections of a crane operator’s training, certification, and evaluation under the Cranes and Derricks in Construction standard.
- OSHA commends the High Temperature Insulation Wool Coalition for its program to protect workers who manufacture, form, install or remove refractory ceramic products.
- Small Wearable Prevents Workplace Injury
- Supply chains are never returning to ‘normal’
- Missouri legislators look to weaken regulations for hazardous waste, advanced recycling, opponents say
- NWRA, SWANA seek relief from CERCLA liability for PFAS at landfills
- Hydrogen Production Method Opens Up Clean Energy Possibilities
- Mercury Removal Made Easy
- Material Captures Toxic Pollutants from Air
- National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: General Provisions; Technical Correction
- Clean Water Act Hazardous Substance Worst Case Discharge Planning Regulations; Extension of Comment Period
- Biden Administration Announces $7.3 Million to Tackle Polluted Brownfield Sites in Pennsylvania
- Biden Revisions to the NEPA Regulations Now in Effect
- Improvements to ECHA’s Chemicals Database Include Nanomaterial Form Characterization Information
- Congressional Committees Hold Additional Hearings on EPA’s FY 2023 Budget Request
- Brussels Regulatory Brief: April 2022
- EPA Amends Several TSCA Section 4 Test Orders for Chemicals Undergoing Risk Evaluation
- EPA Considers Classifying Discarded PVC Plastic as Hazardous Waste
- Oregon Releases Final Rules on Heat Illness Prevention and Wildfire Smoke Exposure
- Justice Department Announces Environmental Justice Enforcement Strategy and Reinstitutes SEPs
- EPA Publishes Notice Concerning Court-Ordered Stay of Effectiveness for Pesticide Application Exclusion Zone Provision of the Agricultural Worker Protection Standard
- EPA’s OLEM May Not Be Looking to Apply CERCLA to Everyone’s PFAS Releases Once They’re Hazardous Substances but How Much Does That Matter?
- Why EPA might make new gas plants catch carbon
- FRA Issues FY21 Safety Enforcement Report
- MSC hazardous goods and IMDG cargo MISDECLARATION FEE update
- As Gas-Gathering Reporting Looms, Here’s How Pipeline Operators Can Be Prepared
IHMM is a member of ASSP and is pleased to bring this important information to all of its certificants.
IHMM GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
Beltway Buzz – Ogletree & Deakins
DOL Appeals Reinstatement of Independent Contractor Rule. Late last week, the administration filed its notice of appeal of the recent decision by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas to reinstate the Trump-era independent contractor rule. Even though the rule remains in place, independent contracting arrangements will continue to be an enforcement focus of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), particularly in the hospitality, healthcare, janitorial, and construction industries. Also, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is in the process of making changes to its test for independent contractor status. This all means that the independent contractor landscape will continue to remain uncertain for some time.
Wage and Hour Bill on the Move. Last week, the Buzz discussed the Wage Theft Prevention and Wage Recovery Act (H.R. 7701, S. 4174) and the dramatic changes it would make to the Fair Labor Standards Act. This week, the U.S. House Committee on Education and Labor voted to approve the bill and advance it to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. At this time, there is no word on when—or if—the full House will vote on the bill. A companion bill in the Senate has twenty-eight cosponsors (twenty-seven Democrats and Senator Bernie Sanders [I-VT], who caucuses with the Democrats).
Bill Makes Changes to ERISA Claims Process. The same House committee also advanced the Mental Health Matters Act (H.R. 7780) this week. Tucked into the bill is the Employee and Retiree Access to Justice Act of 2022, which would significantly impact claims made pursuant to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). Specifically, the bill would prohibit agreements that provide for predispute arbitration of such claims and also limit post-dispute arbitration unless certain conditions are satisfied. The bill would also ban discretionary clauses in ERISA plans, meaning that courts would use the de novo standard of review when adjudicating benefit denial claims (potentially leading to expensive and drawn-out claim processes and patchwork interpretations). The bill now heads to the House floor.
Taxing Employer Speech. With the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act stalled in the U.S. Congress, Democratic and Independent members of Congress are turning to the tax code to benefit big labor. The recently introduced No Tax Breaks for Union Busting Act (S. 4192) would prohibit employers from deducting business expenses that result in a complaint issued by the NLRB or that relate to so-called “captive audience meetings,” among other activities. The bill also would establish an Internal Revenue Service reporting requirement for “[a]ny employer who attempts to influence the employer’s employees with respect to labor organizations or labor organization activities….” Like the failed “persuader” rule, the bill is an attempt to discourage employers from speaking to employees about the pros and cons of unionization.
Davis-Bacon Reg. Proposal Advances. This week, the DOL’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) closed the public comment docket on its proposed changes to its Davis-Bacon Act (DBA) regulations. A number of the comments filed by national business organizations and trade associations focused on the unprecedented nature of the rule—that it would overturn settled decisional law and expand the scope of the DBA’s coverage to new types of construction-related activity and new industries—while failing to adequately address the DOL’s complicated wage determination process. The administration is likely hoping to issue the final regulations before the end of the calendar year.
Labor Secretary Seeks More Funding. Secretary of Labor Martin Walsh made the short trip to Capitol Hill this week to testify before the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations’ Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies on the administration’s proposed fiscal year (FY) 2023 DOL budget. Secretary Walsh’s written testimony provides stakeholders with a glimpse of DOL’s current priorities:
- The administration is requesting more than $700 million (about $89 million more than current funding) “to help OSHA [the Occupational Safety and Health Administration] rebuild its rulemaking and enforcement capacity, expand its whistleblower protection program, and increase its outreach and compliance assistance. This investment will support OSHA’s efforts to double the number of inspectors by the end of President Biden’s first term.”
- “The FY 2023 Budget increases funding to the WHD by more than $56 million over the FY 2022 enacted level. This funding increase will enable WHD to hire, train, and equip enforcement staff to better protect essential workers by safeguarding their pay and recovering back wages, with particular emphasis on the workers most vulnerable to wage violations and exploitive labor conditions.”
- For the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), the administration is requesting about $39 million dollars above current funding levels “to fully enforce employment antidiscrimination requirements to ensure federal contracting consistent with America’s promise to all workers in America. Included in this increase is $3.2 million to enable OFCCP to meet the increased need for its services as a result of the BIL [Bipartisan Infrastructure Law]. This funding will allow OFCCP to build its capacity to remove systemic barriers that workers in underrepresented communities face to accessing good jobs in construction and other growth industries that the BIL will bolster.”
Funding for the federal government runs through September 2022, so expect these funding discussions to heat up towards the end of summer.
Notice of Public Meetings in 2022 for International Standards on the Transport of Dangerous Goods
The PHMSA Office of Hazardous Material Safety (OHMS) will host public meetings in advance of three international meetings to allow the public to give input on current proposals being considered by the United Nations Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (UNSCOE TDG) and the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Dangerous Goods Panel (DGP). These international meetings include:
- The 60th session of the UNSCOE TDG, scheduled for June 27 to July 6, 2022, in Geneva, Switzerland.
- The ICAO DGP Working Group 22, tentatively scheduled for November 21–25, in Montreal, Canada.
- The 61st session of the UNSCOE TDG, scheduled for November 28 to December 6, 2022, in Geneva, Switzerland.
Each of these public meetings will be held approximately two weeks before the corresponding international meeting. Specific information for each meeting, including date, time, conference call-in number, and details for advance registration will be posted when available on the PHMSA website under “Upcoming Events.” These meetings will be virtual, with concurrent in-person sessions possible, pending public health guidelines.
The Federal Register announcement can be found here: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2022-03-03/pdf/2022-04435.pdf utm_source=federalregister.gov&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=subscription+mailing+list
HMS UPDATES
HMS Makes Finding Courses to Earn CMPs Easy
Every year more than 1,600 IHMM certificants have to recertify their credentials, evidenced their continuing commitment to improvement and learning to elevate their professional credential.
Earning Certification Maintenance Points [CMPs] is illustrated under Recertification of Your Credential, that includes the Recertification Claims Manual – Appendix A, that details all of the ways a certificant may earn CMPs > https://ihmm.org/recertification-claims/
Having mastered that manual, how does an IHMM certificant find courses to earn CMPs?
HMS has made that simple and easy.
- Go to https://hazmatsociety.org/education-training/
- Scroll down until you see a row of buttons…click on the CMPs button
The system will then generate all of the courses on the HMS E&T platform with IHMM CMPs already attached.
The next developments by the HMS E&T committee will refine available courses’ CMPs by individual credential!
RCM&D Professional Liability Insurance
HMS is proud to have partnered with RCM&D to be able to offer an outstanding comprehensive professional liability insurance program to IHMM certificants. Here, you will find information about this important program offering Environmental Consultants and Engineers Professional Liability coverage. This coverage is intended to add protection for loss stemming from actual or alleged negligent acts, errors and omissions in performing professional services.
For more information see > https://hazmatsociety.org/professional-liability-insurance/
Member Benefits of Hazardous Materials Society
99% 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.
Linking IHMM and HMS Exam Training
Every IHMM credential page has a section providing guidance on Exam Preparation.
In each credential’s Exam Preparation section is the graphic at left, linked to the section of the Hazardous Materials Society [HMS] website where the applicant can find the exam prep courses being offered to assist the applicant with preparing for the IHMM exam.
If you are a vendor offering exam prep courses and your prep course is on the HMS site, IHMM applicants will find it. If you do not have an exam prep course on the HMS site, no applicant will find it.
Click on the graphic at the left, from the CHMM Exam Preparation page, and see where it takes you. Is your prep course there?
Make your IHMM credential exam prep courses visible to IHMM applicants by contacting Gene Guilford at [email protected]
Applications for the 2022 HMS Scholarship Awards Now Open
The HMS scholarship award is given annually to undergraduate and graduate students whose academic program and research studies have the potential to address the most serious issues in handling hazardous materials, dangerous goods, environmental issues, health & safety challenges. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents enrolled in accredited U.S. academic institutions.
DEADLINE TO SUBMIT SCHOLARSHIP AWARD APPLICATIONS IS December 1, 2022. All submissions and associated materials must be submitted using the online form.
Scholarship Winners Will Be Announced at the HMS Annual Meeting.
For More Information, Visit > https://hazmatsociety.org/scholarship/
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.
There are 709 different conversations going on in the IHMM/HMS Collaboration platform this week.
A collaborative culture is important for every business but is especially important for our hazardous materials, dangerous goods, environment, health, and safety communities of practice. Do you have a problem you need to solve and want the opinions of your colleagues? This is where we come together to help each other.
IHMM credentialed professionals are at the top 1% of their professions and their reach is global. We are at the forefront of environmental protection, health, and safety and this is where collaborating with the best people in their fields, always willing to help one another, lessens the stress of our jobs, and where we strive as a team to make a difference of which we are proud.
We opened COLLABORATION to enable thousands of certificants and supporters to collaborate together. You can collaborate here.
Access to COLLABORATION is through the same username/password you use to access your MYIHMM account. Having a problem? Contact Jimmy Nguyen at [email protected]
Retiring? IHMM Invites You to Become an Emeritus
You may have decided, after a long and successful career, to retire from active daily duty. Congratulations. That doesn’t mean you have to completely disengage from your profession. IHMM is pleased to offer Emeritus status to all certificants who will no longer be actively engaged in their communities of practice but who still want to stay in touch. Please let us know when you’re approaching that decision and we will assist you in the credential transition.
Please contact Jim Drosdak at [email protected] and he’ll be happy to help you.
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 2022
IHMM will attend and support a number of conferences and trade shows throughout 2022, virtually as well as in-person as COVID issues allow. Below are some of the conferences IHMM will support in 2022.
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.
The College and University Hazardous Materials Management Conference
August 7-11, 2022
Frisco, TX
2022 FET Environmental Conference
2022 FET Environmental ConferenceOctober 25-27, 2022
Pewaukee, WI
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
