IHMM In-Person or Remotely Proctored Exams
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 72% 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, March 17, 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.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day
from 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? 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
IHMM CSHM Scheme Committee Releases New Blueprint
The IHMM CSHM Scheme Committee, [https://ihmm.org/cshm-scheme-committee/] chaired by Steven Guillory, CSHM, is pleased to announce the release of its newly created blueprint. Congratulations to Steven, his entire committee, Jim Brinton, CMS psychometrician, and M. Patricia Buley, IOM, ICE-CCP, our Director of Certification and Accreditation for having renovated the CSHM credential.
Note that the new examination arising from this new blueprint will be administered by the first quarter of 2023. This notice affords everyone interested in producing education and training according to the new blueprint the time with which to create it.
The new blueprint for the IHMM Certified Safety and Health Manager credential is here.
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:
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.
DOL Proposes Rule to Reflect Current Construction Industry
It’s big news when a regulation receives the most comprehensive review than it has in the past 40 years. That’s the case for Davis-Bacon and Related Acts.
To better reflect the needs of workers in the construction industry and planned federal construction investments, on March 22, the DOL announced the publication of a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking as it considers updating the regulations that implement the Davis-Bacon Act and Related Acts.
The proposal seeks to speed up prevailing wage updates, creating several efficiencies in the current system and ensuring prevailing wage rates keep up with actual wages. Over time, this would mean higher wages for workers. Read Full Article
Advancing Pay Equity on Equal Pay Day
Today, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs observes Equal Pay Day, which marks on average how far into the year women must work to be paid what men were paid the preceding year. We are committed to removing barriers to opportunity, including pay discrimination and occupational segregation, which are key drivers of persistent pay disparities. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, women faced significant gender and racial wage gaps driven by a number of factors, including a lack of transparency around pay decisions; discrimination and stereotypes impacting pay and promotions; and a lack of oversight and proactive analysis of pay practices. In addition, hiring barriers, steering, assignment patterns, and occupational segregation all contribute to systemic pay disparities. Women are overrepresented in low-paid jobs that often lack critical benefits and are underrepresented in high-paying jobs. And despite overall increases in participation rates for women in higher-paid occupations, women continue to face deeply entrenched barriers to accessing higher-paying jobs in nontraditional occupations and at managerial levels. Read Full Article
Save the Date – Fall Stand-Down
This year’s annual National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls will be held May 2-6. Visit the campaign webpage for updates.
Fatalities caused by falls from elevation continue to be a leading cause of death for construction employees, accounting for 351 of the 1,008 construction fatalities recorded in 2020 (BLS data). Those deaths were preventable. The National Safety Stand-Down raises fall hazard awareness across the country in an effort to stop fall fatalities and injuries.
IHMM Recertification Video Teleconferences
March 16th – 1.00 pm Eastern | April 13th – 1.00 pm Eastern
IHMM is here to take the fear and trepidation out of the recertification of your credential. You worked hard to prepare for and pass an exam to earn your credential distinction that sets you apart – recertification every 5 years allows you to keep what you have earned.
IHMM will hold a series of video teleconferences that will demonstrate the access to and use of the IHMM Recertification system. If the videos posted on the recertification section of your credential webpage have left you still a bit unsure, then tune in to an IHMM video teleconference scheduled below and we will show you what you need to know to recertify.
- Join online for Video and Screen Sharing: https://join.freeconferencecall.com/jnguyen14
If you have difficulty joining a session please email Jimmy Nguyen at [email protected]
An IHMM expert will be available to answer your questions about recertification! Bring anything you’ve been wondering about or working on, and they will be happy to help. If you happen to stump them (and that’s tough to do), they will help you get an answer from another member of the IHMM team. Pop in for a few minutes, stay for the hour. Join us and learn together with your peers even if you don’t have a specific question to ask.
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
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.
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.
There are 614 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]
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.
IHMM News & Recent Updates
- Women in Construction: The State of the Industry in 2022
- EPA Posts Draft Document on “Modernizing the Process and Bringing Innovative Science to Evaluate New Chemicals Under TSCA”
- Regulation of Persistent, Bioaccumulative, and Toxic Chemicals Under TSCA Section 6(h); Phenol, Isopropylated Phosphate (3:1); Further Compliance Date Extension
- EPA keeps landfill diversion in mind for disaster cleanup
- Study suggests pyrolysis solution for face masks
- Investigation: PFAS on our shelves and in our bodies
- Natural Gas Flares Likely Source of Respiratory Illness Spike
- Oregon: Authorization of State Hazardous Waste Management Program Revisions
- Release of Volumes 1 and 2 of the Integrated Review Plan for the Lead National Ambient Air Quality Standards
- Regulation of Persistent, Bioaccumulative, and Toxic Chemicals Under TSCA Section 6(h); Phenol, Isopropylated Phosphate (3:1); Further Compliance Date Extension
- EPA Proposes “Good Neighbor” Plan to Cut Smog Across Much of the United States
- EPA Proposes Regulations to Plan for Hazardous Substance Discharges in Adverse Weather Conditions
- Strategic Considerations for Responding to a Clean Air Act 114 Request
- Wisconsin DNR Advisory Board adopts PFAS Water Standards
- EPA Releases Response Denying Objections to Its Final Rule Revoking All Tolerances for Chlorpyrifos
- OSHA Announces Plan to ‘Expand Its Presence’ in Certain Healthcare Facilities Treating COVID-19 Patients
- California Legislature Considers Employer Vaccine Mandate
- Registration Opens for April SACC Meeting on Draft TSCA Systematic Review Protocol
- United States: Assessing The New Phase I Enviro Site Assessment Standard
- US ANALYSIS URGES REGULATION FOR CHEMICAL RECYCLING
- New Data Shows Top Chemical Management Challenges
- A Climate Wake-Up Call For The Chemical Industry
- Federal judge orders Juan Quevedo-Garcia, one of New Jersey’s most flagrant OSHA violators, to pay $2M in penalties
- Transportation/Hazardous Materials: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration Addresses UN Specification Markings for Non-Bulk Packagings
- What to Know About Your Carry-On Luggage & Dangerous Goods
- Regulatory Update: OSHA Hikes Penalty Amounts
- A Spotlight on Women in Construction and Safety
- Science and Ingenuity Tackle Emerging Contaminants
- OSHA Housekeeping Checklist
IHMM is a member of ASSP and is pleased to bring this important information to all of its certificants.
ASSP News
- Improper Wear, Comfort and the Evolution of FRC
- Prevention Through Design With Limited Resources: It’s a Mindset
- Mitigating Liability and Managing Safety on Multiemployer Work Sites
- How to Choose a Safety Management System and Show Benefit to Your Company
- Q&A: Why Your Safety Management System Needs Prejob Briefings
- 4 Common Objections Safety Managers Hear and How to Overcome Them
ASSP Webinars
- April 7 – May 5 – ONLINE COURSE: Safety Management II
- April 14 – Expanding the Impact of Safety Culture Throughout a Contractor Lifecycle
- April 20 – Building and Implementing an Arc-Rated and Flame-Resistant Clothing Program for the Arc Flash Hazard
- April 28 – Safety in the Balance: How Leaders Influence Desired Safety Outcomes
IHMM GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
US Department of Labor announces enforcement, effort for focused inspections in hospitals, nursing care facilities treating COVID-19 patients
WASHINGTON – For two years, millions of the nation’s healthcare workers have been battling the coronavirus. Many have endangered themselves as they care for those who contract COVID-19 while working in high-risk settings that expose themselves and their families.
As the nation moves to the next phase of the pandemic, the U.S. Department of Labor recognizes the need to prepare for any new variants that may emerge and provide healthcare workers the protections they deserve.
The Department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration today announced an enforcement memorandum for a short-term increase in highly focused inspections directed at hospitals and skilled nursing care facilities that treat or handle COVID-19 patients.
OSHA’s goal is to expand its presence to ensure continued mitigation to control the spread of COVID-19 and future variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and protect the health and safety of healthcare workers at heightened risk for contracting the virus. Continue Reading Full Announcement
Beltway Buzz – Ogletree Deakins
Finally: Congress Passes 2022 Government Funding Legislation. This week, Congress passed a $1.5 trillion omnibus funding bill (H.R. 2471), setting the table to fully fund the federal government for the remainder of fiscal year (FY) 2022. The appropriations package marks the first time that President Joe Biden and the Democratic-controlled legislative branch will put their imprimatur on federal government funding. Throughout all of 2021 and the first few months of 2022, the federal government has been operating on funding limits established at the end of 2020 and signed into law by former president Donald Trump.
The bill would provide the U.S. Department of Labor with $13.2 billion in funding (a $653 million boost over the FY 2021 enacted level) with the Wage and Hour Division receiving $251 million ($5 million above the FY 2021 enacted level) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) getting $612 million ($20 million above the FY 2021 enacted level). The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission received $420 million ($15.5 million above the FY 2021 enacted level). Though modest, these increases would allow the administration to hire more attorneys, investigators, and other professionals to advance both its enforcement and regulatory agendas. Funding for the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) would remain flat at a little more than $274 million, relatively unchanged since 2014. The bill also maintains longstanding language that would prohibit the NLRB from using any appropriated funds in order “to issue any new administrative directive or regulation that would provide employees any means of voting through any electronic means in an election to determine a representative for the purposes of collective bargaining.”
Zombie Blacklisting Revived. There is a saying in Washington, D.C., that no bad policy idea truly ever goes away. This trope helps explain why employers that contract with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) may soon find themselves subject to a labor and employment law compliance reporting scheme. USDA is proposing to require federal contractors, upon accepting a government contract with the agency, to certify that they—as well as subcontractors at any tier—are in compliance with fifteen federal labor laws and executive orders, as well as equivalent state laws. Contractors would also be required to provide to USDA a list—updated every six months—of any violations of these labor laws as well as “any steps taken to correct the violations of, or improve compliance with, such legal requirements.” This requirement would flow down to lower tier subcontractors. What would this information be used for? During the bid process, USDA “will consider any information provided and determine whether a contractor is a responsible source that has a satisfactory record of integrity and business ethics.” The proposal brings to mind previous efforts over the last thirty years to incorporate into the federal procurement process additional penalties for violations—or mere allegations of violations—of labor and employment laws, especially former President Barack Obama’s failed Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces blacklisting scheme.
Treasury Report: Uncompetitive Employer Actions Harm Workers. On March 7, 2022, the U.S. Department of the Treasury released a report entitled “The State of Labor Market Competition” which “catalogues the ways in which insufficient labor market competition hurts workers.” The report touches on many subject matters familiar to readers of the Buzz—joint employment, independent contractors, alternative dispute resolution, and noncompete agreements, to name a few—and suggests that these arrangements unfairly limit labor market competition, lower wages, and harm workers. Not surprisingly, the report reinforces the administration’s already-known policy preferences on these subject matters and suggests that these preferences should be implemented to help workers.
OSHA Unveils COVID-19 Healthcare Enforcement Initiative. In its ongoing efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and its variants in the workplace, this week OSHA launched the implementation of “a highly focused, short-term inspection initiative directed at hospitals and skilled nursing care facilities that treat or handle COVID-19 patients.” The initiative, which will run from March 9, 2022, to June 9, 2022, will focus on “follow-up and monitoring inspections of hospitals and skilled nursing care facilities that OSHA had previously inspected or investigated” for COVID-19–related issues. John D. Surma has the details.
NLRB Workplace Rules Case Moves Forward. March 7, 2022, was the deadline for stakeholders to submit amicus briefs in the NLRB’s pending case regarding its standard for determining when an employer’s facially neutral workplace rule violates the National Labor Relations Act. As the Buzz has previously discussed, many expect the Board to revert to a controversial interpretation that fails to take into account the employer’s legitimate reasons for promulgating a workplace policy, and instead could find a violation if there is any way that a rule could be read to interfere with employees’ right to engage in collective activity. A final ruling should come in the next few months.
HMS UPDATES
HMS Jobs Board
- Water and Wastewater Engineer, Hydro-Terra Group, Westminster, MD
- Senior Compliance Engineer – Hazardous Location, Otter Products, Ft. Collins CO, San Diego CA, Remote
- Director, Environmental, Covanta, New Jersey
- Assistant Director – Environmental Programs, Iowa State University, Ames, IA
- Chief, Departmental Operations – Hazardous Materials Division, County of San Diego, CA
- Environmental Health & Safety Manager – Lead, KLA-Tencor, Ann Arbor, MI
- Sr. Talent Acquisition Partner, KLA-Tencor, Ann Arbor
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.
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.
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]
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.
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.
AHMP National Conference
March 20-23, 2022
Planet Hollywood Resort, Las Vegas, Nevada
See IHMM at Booth #111
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
See IHMM at booth #66
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
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
