EHS Professional – March 7, 2024

Thursday, March 7, 2024

EHS Professional is an online publication of the Institute of Hazardous Materials Management (IHMM).

Other than content specifically provided by IHMM, articles contained in EHS Professional are compiled from independent sources and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of IHMM.

Institute of Hazardous Materials Management | Phone: 301-984-8969 | [email protected]

Certified Pandemic Preparedness Specialist™ [CPPS™]

America and the World were not prepared for COVID-19, and according to the federal government, we are not ready for the next pandemic. IHMM has created the Certified Pandemic Preparedness Specialist™ [CPPS™] microcredential as our contribution to being prepared for the next pandemic. A Certified Pandemic Preparedness Specialist™ (CPPS™) microcredential holder is first a CHMM or CSHM credentialed professional who has demonstrated, through education, experience, and examination, the ability to identify and assess the risks associated with pathogens and their effect on public health, commerce, industry, and/or government operations.

Read more about the CPPS

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IHMM Credential Recognition

Below you will see the EHS credential badges that are now in each CSHM, CSMP, ASHM, CSSM, and Student 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/.

EHS/Workplace Safety Credentials
Microcredentials

Certified Safety & Health Manager

Certified Safety Management Practitioner

Associate Safety and Health Manager

Certified Pandemic Preparedness Specialist

Certified School Safety Manager

Student Associate Safety and Health Manager

IHMM Certificant Recognition

Throughout our certificant’s MYIHMM accounts are placed 10 Year, 20 Year, and 30 Year badges signifying their longevity as an IHMM certified professional.

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.

IHMM has Distinguished Diplomates and Fellows of the Institute badges to the appropriate people in the MYIHMM database. These two badges are accompanied by lapel pins sent to each of those distinguished by holding these designations.

IHMM is in all 50 of the United States and in 85 countries around the world.

IHMM Credentials Accredited By

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 RECENT NEWS for EHS Professionals

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Inside IHMM

IHMM Enters Its 40th Year

On December 3, 1984 the Institute of Hazardous Materials Management was created with the Certified Hazardous Materials Manager® [CHMM®] credential.  John H. Frick, Harold M. Gordon, John J. McCambridge, and Richard A. Young created what would become an Institute that offers 11 professional credentials across Hazardous Materials/Dangerous Goods and EHS Work Place Safety communities of practice in all 50 of the United States and 85 other countries.

IHMM thanks its hundreds of volunteer leaders, thousands of certificants and companies who support IHMM through strengthening its ability to extend its reach and allow us all to live up to why we exist our vision, and our mission…

Why We Exist

We believe there is only one Earth; our passion is to protect it.

Our Vision

IHMM credentials and competency standards are embraced worldwide

Our Mission

IHMM sets standards of excellence for professional credentials to advance the global environmental, health, and safety communities of practice.

There are 925,962 full-time occupational health and safety job openings in the United States via ZipRecruiter today – 29,000 of which pay more than $85,000 a year for CSHMs or CSMPs

IHMM on Capitol Hill This Week

IHMM Executive Director Eugene Guilford, Jr., CAE is on Capitol Hill this week for meetings with the Maryland Congressional delegation during the annual fly-in of the American Society of Association Executives [ASAE].

On Tuesday, March 5th we met with Congressman Robert Wittman [VA], Kyle Perel, Tax Assistant of House Ways & Means, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene [WA], Congressman Chris Pappas [NH], and Congressman Mike Kelly [PA].

On Wednesday, March 6th we met with Congressman David Trone [MD], Congressman Steny Hoyer [MD], Senator Ben Cardin [MD], and Senator Chris Van Hollen [MD].

We met on IHMM’s credentialing programs, IHMM’s 40th Anniversary, S. 722 , “Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act,”  https://www.congress.gov/118/bills/s722/BILLS-118s722is.pdf  and H.R. 1477, “Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act,”   https://www.congress.gov/118/bills/hr1477/BILLS-118hr1477ih.pdf

What is a “529” Plan and Why Every IHMM Certificant Should Care

Currently, state-sponsored 529 educational savings accounts are exempt from federal taxes when used to pay for qualified education expenses. These include college, graduate, or professional degrees; education programs from Title IV accredited institutions; registered apprenticeships; and certain K-12 tuition and student loan repayments. Under current law, 529 plan beneficiaries cannot use funds to obtain or maintain recognized postsecondary credentials, including professional certifications, licenses and other valuable training or credentials. Many individuals―with or without a college degree―work in positions that require credentials including state licensure or industry certification. Expanding the qualified expenses for 529 plans would ensure that all types of workers, including environmental and workplace safety professionals, could use 529 funds for initial and ongoing expenses for postgraduate credentialing and licensing. Allowing 529 plans to cover education and career-related expenses will allow beneficiaries to use their plan funds to cover the educational, training or credentialing programs that best fit their initial and ongoing skills development, professional growth, and career needs.

The Freedom To Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act (H.R. 1477/S. 722) would expand qualified expenses under 529 savings plans to include postsecondary and other training and credentialing expenses, such as licenses and professional, non-governmental certifications – including all of IHMM’s credentials. 

We met this week on Capitol Hill on IHMM’s credentialing programs, IHMM’s 40th Anniversary, S. 722, “Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act,”  https://www.congress.gov/118/bills/s722/BILLS-118s722is.pdf  and H.R. 1477, “Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act,”   https://www.congress.gov/118/bills/hr1477/BILLS-118hr1477ih.pdf

Annual IHMM Excellence in EHS Management Award

Each year IHMM is proud to recognize the outstanding achievements and distinctions of the

CSHM, CSMP, CSSM, 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.

IHMM Recertification Videos

Recert Video #1

Recert Video #2

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.

Full recertification information is found here >>  https://ihmm.org/credentials/#recertification 

Questions about your recertification may be made to either Jimmy Nguyen [email protected] of Jelian Larbi [email protected]

The Dr. John H Frick Memorial IHMM Scholarship Program – Deadline 10/18/2024 

The Institute of Hazardous Materials Management is pleased to have created $32,000 in academic scholarships, divided equally between $16,000 for students enrolled in undergraduate or graduate education in approved schools and who are also Student CHMMs, and $16,000 for students enrolled in undergraduate or graduate education in approved schools and who are also Student ASHMs.

IHMM seeks to foster the growth and academic success of students whose courses of education, and participation in one of our Student certifications, will lead to those students becoming fully-certified IHMM credential holders later in their professional lives.

Go to >  https://ihmm.org/scholarship/

A Collaborative Culture

There are 1,265 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]

IHMM Organizing Broader Government Affairs Activities – Call for Volunteers

In strategic planning on August 17, 2023 IHMM created a strategic imperative to create a broader government affairs operation on behalf of, and with the assistance of, all of IHMM’s certificants.

  • Federal Government  – Regulatory
    We need a group of people watching Federal regulatory developments to advise when taking action can be helpful and raise our visibility in the agencies.
  • Federal Government – Congress
    We need a group of people watching legislation to advise us when taking action can be helpful and raise our visibility in Congress.
  • State Governments – Regulatory
    We need a group of people watching state regulatory developments to advise when taking action can be helpful and raise our visibility in the agencies.
  • State Governments – Legislatures
    We need a group of people watching legislation to advise us when taking action can be helpful and raise our visibility in state legislatures.

If you want to make a difference in the recognition of your credentials and build on the successful record we have achieved thus far – we need you to volunteer. Learn more by visiting our Government Affairs Committee page, and get involved with government affairs. You can volunteer for one, two, three or all four of the segments of the committee’s work. That’s up to you!

IHMM CSHMⓇ 2022 Salary Survey

IHMM is pleased to release its 2022 salary survey for Certified Safety and Health Managers Ⓡ [CSHMⓇ] across a broad range of position titles in the CSHMⓇ community of practice.

You may download the CSHM survey here.

IHMM  – 26 Fellows Are Mentors 

IHMM Fellows Committee Chair Atanu Das, CHMM, is leading the effort within the IHMM Collaboration networking platform to engage both 26 IHMM Fellows as Mentors and anyone who seeks some assistance as Mentees.

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. This article from ASAE magazine outlines how a mentoring program can become more successful – engagement!

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.

IHMM Government Affairs

Beltway Buzz, Ogletree Deakins

Latest Government Shutdown Avoided. Another week in Washington, D.C., and our legislators have avoided yet another shutdown. At least this time, there seems to be a bit of a plan to put a bow on this debate once and for all (until, of course, discussions begin for the fiscal year (FY) 2025 spending kickoff). Here is what happened this week. With spending for certain government functions set to expire on March 1, 2024, the U.S. Congress passed—and President Biden signed—a continuing resolution that will extend six government funding bills (including funding for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)) until March 8, 2024, and a remaining six bills (including funding for the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)) until March 22, 2024. There is still a ways to go before this matter is completely wrapped up, but the initial threat of a federal shutdown this week has been avoided.

Senate Committee (Barely) Approves Su (Again). On February 27, 2024, during a closed-door meeting, the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) voted to advance the nomination of Julie Su to be secretary of labor. The 11–10 party-line vote (with no Republicans voting for Su) was the second time the HELP Committee had voted to approve Su’s nomination (and with an identical vote tally). In a speech this week on the floor of the U.S. Senate, Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), ranking member of the committee, noted that since Su’s original nomination in 2023, “concerns over Ms. Su’s leadership of DOL have grown.” Senator Cassidy also noted that he had made a formal request of Committee Chair Bernie Sanders (I-VT) to hold a hearing for Su, but “the Chair denied our request and is instead ramming through Ms. Su’s nomination behind closed doors without a full public hearing in the Committee.” Senator Cassidy continued, “The Chair’s decision to not hold a public hearing on Ms. Su is unacceptable and shows a lack of transparency from the Majority. It undermines the Committee’s constitutional duty to advise and consent on presidential nominees.” The next step for Su is a vote on the Senate floor, though it is unclear how or why she may have the necessary votes this time around.

EEOC Announces 2023 EEO-1 Reporting Window. The EEOC has announced that the 2023 EEO-1 Component 1 data collection will open on April 30, 2024, and employers will have until June 4, 2024, to file their reports. Of course, the Buzz will be watching for future attempts by the Commission to amend the EEO-1 report to require the disclosure of employee wage and hours worked data. To that end, in approving this EEO-1 information collection, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) noted the following: “OMB also recommends that EEOC seek the input of affected stakeholders about any revisions as early as possible, and provide respondents with ample notice before making revisions in order to minimize burdens.” James A. Patton, Jr., and Kiosha H. Dickey have the details.

H-1B Registration Kicks Off With New Process. The FY 2025 H-1B cap lottery selection process will open at noon on Wednesday, March 6, 2024. Pursuant to the rule finalized by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on February 2, 2024, (“Improving the H-1B Registration Selection Process and Program Integrity”), the beneficiary-centric selection procedure will be implemented for H-1B visa holders, in which “[e]ach unique beneficiary who has a registration submitted on their behalf will be entered into the selection process once, regardless of how many registrations are submitted on their behalf.” The changes are intended to increase the integrity of the process and reduce fraud.

OSHA Reporting Deadline. March 2, 2024, is the deadline for covered employers to electronically submit their required injury and illness reporting information to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

OFCCP Seeks Fed Contractor Data. In a surprise move that was not forecasted in recent regulatory agendas, late last week the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) published a notice of its intent to resurrect the Monthly Employment Utilization Report (CC–257). According to the notice, “With the proposed CC– 257, construction contractors will provide information on employee work hours and employee count by race/ ethnicity, gender, and trade in the covered area.” Covered construction contractors would be required to provide this information to OFCCP on a monthly basis. Despite the proposed change in policy and the potential costly burden on contractors, OFCCP is proposing this change via the Paperwork Reduction Act, rather than through the Administrative Procedure Act’s rulemaking process. Emily M. Halliday and Lauren B. Hicks have the details.

A Commanding Vote. On February 28, 2024, the U.S. House of Representatives passed, by a vote of 348–55, the D.C. Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium Campus Revitalization Act (H.R. 4984). If enacted, the bill would require the secretary of the interior to transfer administrative jurisdiction over the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium Campus to the District of Columbia. Looking down the road, the bill would potentially enable the National Football League’s Washington Commanders to play their home games on the site (the franchise played at RFK Stadium from 1961 through 1996). The Commanders currently play their home games in Maryland, and judging from the vote tally on the bill, it looks like Maryland wants to keep it that way. Of eight representatives from Maryland, seven voted against the bill, and one—Representative Jamie Raskin (D)—did not vote.

Regulatory Updates

  • Department of Labor Issues its Fall 2023 Regulatory Agenda – Read more here
  • Environmental Protection Agency Issues its Fall 2023 Regulatory Agenda – Read more here

Professional Certification Coalition

IHMM is a member of the PCC. The PCC monitors state and federal legislative and regulatory activity affecting professional certification on an ongoing basis. The PCC has compiled several “Watchlists” identifying and analyzing provisions in pending legislation at both the state and federal level that, under applicable rules, may still be enacted in the current legislative session.  Depending on the carry-over rules in the relevant legislature, the charts listing current legislation may include bills introduced in a prior year.  In addition, the PCC compiles each year a chart of enacted legislation that affects certification. The charts include hyperlinks to every bill or executive order. Note that the Watchlist and the Enacted Legislation document do not include profession-specific legislation and do not include regulatory initiatives. The charts will be updated as needed based on new developments.

State legislation tracked this week…

Important Stories for IHMM Certificants

Daylight Saving: Suggestions to Help Workers Adapt to the Time Change

Spring forward Fall back. Once again, the change comes this Sunday.

We all know the saying to help us remember to adjust our clocks for daylight saving time changes (this Sunday in case you are wondering). But, what can we do to help workers adjust to the effects of the time change?  A few studies have examined these issues but many questions remain on this topic including the best strategies to cope with the time changes.

By moving the clocks ahead one hour in the Spring, we lose one hour which shifts work times and other scheduled events one hour earlier. This pushes most people to have a one hour earlier bedtime and wake up time. In the Fall, time moves back one hour.  We gain one hour which shifts work times and other scheduled events one hour later thereby pushing most people to have a one-hour later bedtime and wake-up time.

Read more.

EPA – Standards of Performance for New, Reconstructed, and Modified Sources and Emissions Guidelines for Existing Sources: Oil and Natural Gas Sector Climate Review

This document is unpublished. It is scheduled to be published on 03/08/2024.

Once it is published it will be available on this page in an official form. Until then, you can download the unpublished PDF version.

Although we make a concerted effort to reproduce the original document in full on our Public Inspection pages, in some cases graphics may not be displayed, and non-substantive markup language may appear alongside substantive text. If you are using public inspection listings for legal research, you should verify the contents of documents against a final, official edition of the Federal Register. Only official editions of the Federal Register provide legal notice of publication to the public and judicial notice to the courts under 44 U.S.C. 1503 & 1507. Learn more here.

Does Your Training Content and Software Align with OSHA Regulations?

Effective workplace training should include the right training software and content to ensure compliance and enhance workplace safety.

Just like with any governing body, understanding and addressing OSHA requirements can feel daunting. After all, they have published nearly 1,000 standards across four main categories: Construction, Maritime, Agriculture and General Industry.

In many cases, an OSHA regulation is straightforward regarding what is required, but when it comes to employer-provided safety training, things can get a little unclear. There are currently more than 100 OSHA standards where training is required — and things are not consistent from one to another.

Keep reading to learn about some of the different nuances of OSHA requirements and how to identify the right training software and training content that will help you meet — and even exceed — your training needs.

Read more by clicking here.

Public Comment Period on Draft Guidance for Future CSO Permitting

On February 20, 2024, EPA announced in the Federal Register that it is seeking public comment on the Draft Guidance for Future National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permits for Combined Sewer Systems. This draft guidance highlights the available paths forward for permitting communities with combined sewer overflows (CSOs) at the next stage in their programs. It summarizes options under the Clean Water Act that are articulated in the original 1994 CSO Control Policy as well as the option to use EPA’s 2012 Integrated Planning Framework to look holistically at future investments.

Comments on the draft guidance can be submitted at http://www.regulations.gov under Docket ID: EPA–HQ–OW–2023–0475. The comment period ends on March 21, 2024.

For any questions related to this announcement, please contact [email protected].

Inside EPA Updates

EPA Officials ‘Very Focused’ On Looming CRA Deadline For ‘Priority’ Rules

EPA’s policy chief is acknowledging that officials are striving to avoid the risk that “priority” regulations could be quickly rescinded by a hostile Congress and president next year, as the agency faces a deadline later this spring to avoid such a scenario under the Congressional Review Act (CRA).

GOP States Push Constitutional Claims In Legal Attack On Amended WOTUS

A coalition of 24 Republican state attorneys general (AG) is stepping up its constitutional claims over the Biden administration’s final “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) rule, warning that it is plagued by violations of Due Process, the Commerce Clause, the major-questions doctrine, and the Tenth Amendment.

Climate Penalty’ Worsening Air Pollution, Sharpening EPA Policy Dilemma

Recent studies are projecting that a warming climate is significantly worsening air quality in the United States, thwarting efforts to cut pollution and meet EPA’s tougher fine particulate matter (PM2.5) standards as well as its existing ozone limits, even as scientific evidence continues to suggest health harms at ever lower levels of pollution.

EPA Drops Existing Gas Plants From GHG Rule But Eyes Future Measure

EPA is announcing plans to scale back the scope of its pending power plant greenhouse gas standards by removing proposed controls on existing natural gas plants, though the agency is coupling the move with a pledge to tackle those facilities’ emissions as part of a broader multi-pollutant strategy addressing GHGs, criteria pollutants and air toxics.

EPA Readies ‘Imminent’ PFAS Order Under Lagging TSCA Testing Strategy

EPA’s TSCA office is preparing for “imminent” release of a fourth PFAS testing order as part of its strategy for gathering data on the chemicals, while officials wrestle with how to broaden the program’s scope, an EPA toxics official told the agency’s recent closed-door “workshop” on ways to bolster the lagging testing program

–Inside EPA

U.S. Department of Education Opens Applications for Two K-12 Mental Health Programs to Increase the Number of Mental Health Providers in Schools

The U.S. Department of Education (Department) today opened applications for the School-Based Mental Health and Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration grant competitions to help bolster the pipeline of mental health professionals serving in schools and expand student access to school-based mental health services and supports.

President Biden named tackling the mental health crisis, particularly among youth, a key pillar in his Unity Agenda for the nation. And, in line with the Administration’s goals, these programs play a key role in doubling the supply of qualified mental health professionals in our nation’s schools. These newly-opened applications build on the progress made through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to advance the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to integrate mental health services into our schools as part of the President’s National Mental Health Strategy. Many school districts across the country are facing an increased need for mental health services for their students, while at the same time, often struggling to find qualified mental health professionals to provide these services. The Administration has continued to request additional funding to sustain and expand efforts nationwide to provide more school-based health services, and pending appropriations the Department anticipates making approximately $38 million available across both competitions in Fiscal Year 2024.

Read more by clicking here.

EPA – Waste Emissions Charge for Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing a regulation to implement the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA) as specified in the Methane Emissions Reduction Program of the Inflation Reduction Act. This program requires the EPA to impose and collect an annual charge on methane emissions that exceed specified waste emissions thresholds from an owner or operator of an applicable facility that reports more than 25,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent of greenhouse gases emitted per year pursuant to the petroleum and natural gas systems source category requirements of the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule. The proposal would implement calculation procedures, flexibilities, and exemptions related to the waste emissions charge and proposes to establish confidentiality determinations for data elements included in waste emissions charge filings.

DATES:

Comments. Comments must be received on or before March 11, 2024. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), comments on the information collection provisions are best assured of consideration if the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) receives a copy of your comments on or before February 26, 2024.

Read the proposed rule here.

OSHA and MSHA will host events leading up to Workers Memorial Day

Ahead of Workers Memorial Day, which will take place April 28, OSHA and the Mine Safety and Health Administration will host events to honor and recognize workers who lost their lives on the job.

Scheduled events will begin with OSHA’s virtual Awareness Conference, set for 8:45 a.m. Eastern on April 22. The next day, the agencies will host virtual sessions on the families of fallen workers, among other topics.

A Workers Memorial Expo is set for 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Eastern on April 24 at the Frances Perkins Building in Washington, D.C. On April 25, OSHA and MSHA staff will gather in the same building to honor fallen workers with a ceremony and a wreath-laying event, which can be viewed via Zoom from 1-2:15 p.m. Eastern.

Registration is required to attend each event virtually or in-person.

Read the original article by clicking here.

EPA – Standards of Performance for New Stationary Sources and Emission Guidelines for Existing Sources: Large Municipal Waste Combustors Voluntary Remand Response and 5-Year Review

The EPA is proposing amendments to the new source performance standards (NSPS) and emission guidelines (EG) for large municipal waste combustion (MWC) units. These proposed amendments reflect the results from a reevaluation of the maximum achievable control technology (MACT) floor levels, a 5-year review, and the removal of startup, shutdown and malfunction exclusions and exceptions. These proposed amendments also streamline regulatory language, revise recordkeeping and electronic notification and reporting requirements, re-establish new and existing source applicability dates, clarify requirements for certain air curtain incinerators, close a 2007 proposed reconsideration action, correct certain typographical errors, make certain technical corrections, and clarify certain provisions in the NSPS and EG. These proposed amendments would revise all emission limits in the EG, except for carbon monoxide (CO) limits for two subcategories of combustors, and all nine emission limits in the NSPS. The EPA is reevaluating the MACT floors in response to the EPA’s voluntary remand of the large MWC rules following a petitioner’s request that the EPA review the MACT floors for large MWC units in consideration of a D.C. Circuit Court decision on MACT floor issues. The 5-year review is required by the Clean Air Act (CAA). The proposed amendments would result in an estimated 14,000 tons per year reduction in regulated pollutants.

DATES:

Comments must be received on or before March 25, 2024. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), comments on the information collection provisions are best assured of consideration if the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) receives a copy of your comments on or before February 22, 2024.

Public hearing: If anyone contacts us requesting a public hearing on or before January 29, 2024, we will hold a virtual public hearing. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for information on requesting and registering for a public hearing.

Read the proposed amendments here.

Understanding Firearm-Related Injury and School Violence

Episode 4: Anonymous Reporting Systems

In this episode, Dr. Libby Messman shares how anonymous reporting systems can be crucial in maintaining a safe and secure environment. We delve into the research surrounding the effectiveness of anonymous reporting systems and provide an overview of the existing systems currently in place.

Listen Here

Expert Video: School Threat Assessment in Florida

In this video, Dr. Jenn Maeng presents findings from a new technical report on threat assessment. The report examines Florida threat assessment case data from the 2021-2022 school year, highlighting outcomes for over 22,000 cases.



School Threat Assessment Toolkit

The School Threat Assessment Toolkit, releasing 3/6, offers schools guidance on employing behavioral threat assessment (TA) and management to prevent violence. Developed with input from various experts and organizations, it provides training, implementation, and assessment tools for school TA teams while safeguarding student rights. Learn more here.

The Mining Industry and Reproductive Health: Protecting Pregnant Workers

Mining remains a male-dominated industry: the analytics firm McKinsey estimates that women comprise only 8 to 17 percent of the global mining workforce. Women are more likely to leave this industry before reaching middle management positions and often report being sidelined by their colleagues, struggling to access advanced leadership and technical positions, and having difficulty adapting to company cultures, McKinsey finds. According to a survey of Australian mining industry workers, 35 percent of women respondents had experienced sexist hostility within the past 12 months. OEHS professionals can expect workplace discrimination to affect women in mining in other countries, too.

Read more here.

IHMM Credential Recognition

The highest priority of IHMM’s Government Affairs Committee is the recognition of IHMM’s credentials by government. We have made substantial progress in the two years we have undertaken this endeavor, as outlined in detail here > https://ihmm.org/credential-recognition/

In this project we have 45-in-5, increasing the number of states that recognize IHMM credentials.

  • We have already succeeded in 13 states – New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Indiana, California, Colorado, Nebraska, Minnesota, Arkansas, Oklahoma. Ohio, North Dakota, and Georgia. [Red states in the map above]. These are states where IHMM credentials are cited or 40 CFR 312.10 is cited by reference.
  • We have partially succeeded in another 16 states – Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Arizona, Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Florida, Delaware, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Maine. [Orange/Black Stripe states in the map above] These are states where the requirements of an “environmental professional” or QEP are cited that coincide with an IHMM credential so that relatively little work would need to be done to clarify the desired outcome.
  • We have 21 states where no reference to an IHMM credential is made in either statute or regulation, nor is there anything defined in the area of an environmental professional. These states will require legislation or regulatory work. [Yellow states in the map above].

in January 2022 Gene Guilford released the 40 CFR § 312.10 EPA regulation that states a private certification that meets or exceeds the requirements of the regulation is an Environmental Professional under the regulation. Here is the crosswalk between the 40 CFR § 312.10 EPA regulation and the Certified Hazardous Materials Manager [CHMM] blueprint. The CHMM meets or exceeds the requirements of an Environmental Professional. 

Here’s what we ask each volunteer to do:

  • Watch legislative and regulatory developments in your state that provide an opportunity for us to create amendments or other interventions
  • Be willing to speak with regulators and legislators in your area about the recognition efforts we craft together

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 Jimmy Nguyen at [email protected] and he’ll be happy to help you.

News from IHMM Affiliates

IHMM is a member of ASSP and is pleased to bring this important information to all of its certificants.

ASSP News

ASSP Webinars

For a complete list of ASSP Webinars, click here.

ASSP Standards News

  • Approval of ISO 45004 FDIS [measurement] – December 2023 – Closed on January 10th and the results were sent to the TAG membership
  • Approval of ISO 45001 Interpretation of Dec 2023
  • The ISO 45006 ballot [pandemics] is currently out to adopt the document as an ANSI Registered Technical Report.  The ballot for ISO 45006 will end on February 23rd
  • Approval of NWIP [New Work Item Proposal] For Proposed ISO 45008 [remote workers]

The U.S. TAG to ANSI for ISO TC283 approved ISO 45002 and ISO 45006 as ANSI registered technical reports.

  • ISO/ASSP TR 45002-2023:   Occupational health and safety management systems – General guidelines for the implementation of ISO 45001:2018
  • ISO/ASSP TR 45006-2023:  Occupational health and safety management – Guidelines for organizations on preventing and managing infectious diseases

At this point, the adoption process is complete.  We will conclude limited public review and then move forward with publication of ISO 45002 and ISO 45006 as an ANSI Registered Technical Report[s].

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SOCIETY

IHMM and HMS

The graphic to the left illustrates the relationship between IHMM and HMS. IHMM formed HMS to serve IHMM’s certificants. IHMM offers a variety of professional credentials and HMS creates education and training programs to serve the applicants and certificants of those credentials.

AIHA, HMS Training Partner, Adds Courses for IHMM Certificants

American Industrial Hygiene Association [AIHA] an HMS training partner, has added its first of many courses approved in advance for earning IHMM recertification certification maintenance points. We are pleased to promote these programs in support of IHMM certificants holding the CHMM, CHMP, CSHM, and CSMP credentials. Thank you, AIHA.

   Daily

Basic Principles of Occupational Hygiene

Online
   Daily

Certificate Program: Use of Direct Reading Instruments

Online
   Daily

How to Develop Creative Narrative for Better Training and Retention (AIHce EXP 2021 OnDemand)

Online
   Daily

Electrical Safe Work Practices With Application of NFPA 70E PDC Recording

Online
   Daily

Is Your Safety Training Good Enough? (AIHce EXP 2021 OnDemand)

Online
   Daily

All About Leading, Lagging, and Predictive Indicators (AIHce EXP 2021 OnDemand)

Online
   Daily

Elevating EHS Leading Indicators: From Defining to Designing Webinar Recording

Online
   Daily

Increasing Risk Awareness and Leveraging Risk Management to Catalyze a Culture of Learning and Health (AIHce EXP 2021 OnDemand)

Online
   Daily

Emergency Preparedness: Is the Workplace Truly Prepared for Emergencies? (AIHce EXP 2022 OnDemand)

Online
   Daily

Mitigation Through Decontamination PDC Recording

Online
   Daily

SDS & Label Authoring Course

Online
   Daily

Empowering Industrial Hygienists With Systems Thinking for ISO 45001 Webinar Recording

Online
   Daily

ISO 45001 OHSMS Update and Overview Webinar Recording

Online
   Daily

Fire and Explosion Hazards in the Process Industries PDC Recording

Online
   Daily

Decision Making in Managing Risk – Expand Context, Strengthen Skills PDC Recording

Online
   Daily

Risk Assessment Virtual Conference Recordings (2021): Introduction to Risk Assessment

Online
   Daily

Welding: A Case Study in Occupational Hygiene

Online

Bowen EHS, HMS Training Partner, Adds Courses for IHMM Certificants

Bowen EHS, an HMS training partner, has had 4 courses approved in advance for earning IHMM recertification certification maintenance points. We are pleased to promote these programs as reviewed and approved by the HMS Education and Training Committee, chaired by Diana Lundelius. Thank you Bowen EHS and thank to HMS’ Education and Training Committee.

Thank you Bowen EHS for contributing programs enabling IHMM certificants to engage in professional development and earn important CMPs! All three of the new Bowen EHS programs are available online and on demand.

   DailyEmergency Management Self-Paced PDCOnline

.
Thank you Bowen EHS for contributing programs enabling IHMM certificants to engage in professional development and earn important CMPs! All three of the new Bowen EHS programs are available online and on demand.

Easily Find Courses to Help You Pass IHMM Credential Exams

A core mission of EHS is education and training. Part of that mission includes assembling the best and most effective courses to assist IHMM applicants in passing their IHMM credential exams.

CSHM® Prep Courses

  1. Certified Safety and Health Manager® (CSHM®) Exam Preparation Course – VUBIZ – Available on Demand

CSMP® Prep Courses

  1. Certified Safety Management Practitioner® [CSMP®] Exam Preparation Course – VUBIZ – Available on Demand

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.

  1. Go to https://hazmatsociety.org/education-training/
  2. 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!

Donate to HMS

One of the most important projects of the Hazardous Materials Society is our Scholarship Program.

HMS wants to make it as easy as possible for those who cannot always afford to participate in pursuing certification, or keeping up with professional development, or attending great conferences and receiving outstanding training. HMS does not solicit contributions from the general public. HMS does ask IHMM’s certificants and their companies and our education and training vendors to consider a contribution.

Here, through your generosity, you can make a difference in promoting the ability of those who can afford it least to become participants in our communities of practice.

It’s never too late to make a difference, so don’t let this opportunity to make a difference pass you by. Please consider a tax-deductible donation of $250, $500 or what you can to help build HMS’s effort to help others in our communities of practice.

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 2024

IHMM will attend and support a number of conferences and trade shows throughout 2024, virtually as well as in-person as resources allow. In 2023 IHMM participated in the Bay Area ASSP conference, Ohio Safety conference, COSTHA Annual Meeting, AIHA Conference & Trade Show, ASSP Annual Conference, CUHMMC, AHMP, National Safety Conference and FET

Are there conferences you believe IHMM should attend that are not named here? If so, let us know by sending an email to [email protected]

FET Environment 2024

October 29, 30, 31, 2024

Marriott Milwaukee West, Waukesha, WI

IHMM-HMS Event 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.

DateEventEvent ProducerLocation
DailyCHMM Exam Prep CourseInstitute of Safety & Systems Management

Online

DailyCE 1112- IHMM CDGP Exam Prep (online) Columbia Southern University

Online

DailyCE 1102- Industrial Hygiene for Safety Professionals (online) Columbia Southern University

Online

DailyCE 1105: Maritime Hazardous Materials Inventory Columbia Southern University

Online

DailyDOT NON-Bulk Training Compliance Associates

Online

DailyOSHA 30 Construction (Online) ClickSafety

Online

DailyHAZWOPER Refresher (Online) ClickSafety

Online

DailyHAZWOPER 40-Hour All Industries (Online) ClickSafety

Online

DailyHAZWOPER 24-Hour All Industries (Online) ClickSafety

Online

Daily8-Hour HAZWOPER Refresher Course Hazmat School

Online

DailyDOT Hazmat Employee with Packaging Course Hazmat School

Online

DailyRCRA Hazardous Waste Generator Online Training Course Hazmat School

Online

DailyOSHA Asbestos Awareness TrainingHazmat School

Online

DailyCHMM Online Review Bowen

Online

DailyOnsite Lithium Battery TrainingCompliance Associates

Online

DailyOnsite ADR TrainingCompliance Associates

Online

DailyWebinar ADR TrainingCompliance Associates

Online

DailyOSHA Confined Space Operations TrainingHazmat School

Online

DailyIATA/IMDG Certification TrainingDGI

Online

DailyCSHM Exam Prep CourseVubiz

Online

DailyCSMP Exam Prep CourseVubiz

Online

DailyGround Transportation for CarriersChemtrec

Online

DailyOSHA Hazard Communications StandardChemtrec

Online

DailyShipping Lithium Batteries and Cells TrainingChemtrec

Online

DailyHazmat General, Safety and Security Awareness Online Training Course Chemtrec

Online

DailyIATA Dangerous Goods Online Training for Operations Chemtrec

Online

Daily49 CFR TrainingChemtrec

Online

DailyIATA Dangerous Goods Online Training for Operations PersonnelChemtrec

Online

DailyOnline 2-Hour OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen TrainingHazmat School

Online

DailyOnline Heat Illness Prevention TrainingHazmat School

Online

DailyOnline OSHA 24-Hour HAZWOPER Training CourseHazmat School

Online

DailyEPCRA Tier II ReportingBowen EHS

Online

DailyEHS Training Self-Paced PDCBowen EHS

Online

DailyEmergency Management Self-Paced PDCBowen EHS

Online

DailyBasic Principles of Occupational HygieneAIHA

Online

Daily

Certificate Program: Use of Direct Reading Instruments

AIHA

Online

Daily

How to Develop Creative Narrative for Better Training and Retention (AIHce EXP 2021 OnDemand)

AIHA

Online

Daily

Electrical Safe Work Practices With Application of NFPA 70E PDC Recording

AIHA

Online

Daily

Is Your Safety Training Good Enough? (AIHce EXP 2021 OnDemand)

AIHA

Online

Daily

All About Leading, Lagging, and Predictive Indicators (AIHce EXP 2021 OnDemand)

AIHA

Online

Daily

Elevating EHS Leading Indicators: From Defining to Designing Webinar Recording

AIHA

Online

Daily

Increasing Risk Awareness and Leveraging Risk Management to Catalyze a Culture of Learning and Health (AIHce EXP 2021 OnDemand)

AIHA

Online

Daily

Emergency Preparedness: Is the Workplace Truly Prepared for Emergencies? (AIHce EXP 2022 OnDemand)

AIHA

Online

Daily

Mitigation Through Decontamination PDC Recording

AIHA

Online

Daily

SDS & Label Authoring Course

AIHA

Online

Daily

Empowering Industrial Hygienists With Systems Thinking for ISO 45001 Webinar Recording

AIHA

Online

Daily

ISO 45001 OHSMS Update and Overview Webinar Recording

AIHA

Online

Daily

Fire and Explosion Hazards in the Process Industries PDC Recording

AIHA

Online

Daily

Decision Making in Managing Risk – Expand Context, Strengthen Skills PDC Recording

AIHA

Online

Daily

Risk Assessment Virtual Conference Recordings (2021): Introduction to Risk Assessment

AIHA

Online

Daily

Welding: An Exercise in Applied Industrial Hygiene

AIHA

Online

Daily

Response Considerations During an Outbreak or Pandemic

FEMA           Online
Daily

Environmental Health Training in Emergency Response Awareness Course

FEMA           Online
Daily

RCRA Hazardous Waste Management Online

Lion Tech

Online

Daily

RCRA Hazardous Waste Management Refresher

Lion Tech

Online

Mar 18-21, 2024

Multimodal Hazmat Shipper Training—DOT, IATA, IMDG

Lion Tech

Houston, TX

Mar 19-21, 2024

2024 PHMSA HMIT Grant 24-Hour DOT HAZMAT Regulations Awareness Course

NPETE

Savannah, GA

Mar 26-28, 2024

2024 PHMSA HMIT Grant 24-Hour DOT HAZMAT with RCRA LQG Regulations Awareness Course

NPETE

Zanesville, OH

Apr 2-4, 2024

2024 PHMSA HMIT Grant 24-Hour DOT HAZMAT/PPE Hazard Assessment Regulations Awareness Course

NPETE

Binghamton, NY

Apr 9-11, 2024

2024 PHMSA HMIT Grant 24-Hour DOT HAZMAT/PPE Hazard Assessment Regulations Awareness Course

NPETE

South Charleston, WV

Apr 16-18, 2024

2024 PHMSA HMIT Grant 24-Hour DOT HAZMAT/PPE Hazard Assessment Regulations Awareness Course

NPETE

Spindale, NC

Apr 23-25, 2024

2024 PHMSA HMIT Grant 24-Hour DOT HAZMAT with RCRA LQG Regulations Awareness Course

NPETE

McMinnville, TN

Apr 29-May 1, 2024

2024 PHMSA HMIT Grant (3) Individual (8hr) DOT-RCRA LQG Regulations Awareness Courses

NPETE

Overland Park, KS

May 14-16, 2024

2024 Free NPETE US DOT PHMSA HMIT May 14 and 15 (8hr) DOT Hazmat and May 16 (8hr) DOT-RCRA LQG Training Workshops

NPETE

Newark, NJ

May 21-23, 2024

2024 PHMSA HMIT Grant 24-Hour DOT HAZMAT Regulations Awareness Course

NPETE

Martinsville, VA

May 29-31, 2024

2024 PHMSA HMIT Grant 24-Hour DOT HAZMAT Regulations Awareness Course

NPETE

Hillsboro, MO

June 11-13, 2024

2024 PHMSA HMIT Grant 24-Hour DOT HAZMAT/PPE Hazard Assessment Regulations Awareness Course

NPETE

Oakdale, PA

June 18-20, 2024

2024 PHMSA HMIT Grant 24-Hour DOT HAZMAT with RCRA LQG Regulations Awareness Course

NPETE

Waycross, GA

June 25-27, 2024

2024 PHMSA HMIT Grant 24-Hour DOT HAZMAT with RCRA LQG Regulations Awareness Course

NPETE

Wheeling, WV

July 16-18, 2024

2024 PHMSA HMIT Grant 24-Hour DOT HAZMAT/PPE Hazard Assessment Regulations Awareness Course

NPETE

Union, MO

Aug 6-8, 2024

2024 PHMSA HMIT Grant 24-Hour DOT HAZMAT/EPA RCRA Hazwaste LQG/IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations Awareness Course

NPETE

Durham, NC

Aug 13-15, 2024

2024 PHMSA HMIT Grant 24-Hour DOT HAZMAT with RCRA LQG Regulations Awareness Course

NPETE

Columbus, OH

Aug 20, 2024

FREE US DOT PHMSA HMIT GRANT HAZARDOUS MATERIALS/EPA RCRA HAZWASTE LQG REGULATIONS AWARENESS TRAINING WORKSHOP – August 20

NPETE

Rockville, MD

Aug 21, 2024

FREE US DOT PHMSA HMIT GRANT HAZARDOUS MATERIALS/EPA RCRA HAZWASTE LQG REGULATIONS AWARENESS TRAINING WORKSHOP – August 21

NPETE

Rockville, MD

Aug 22, 2024

FREE US DOT PHMSA HMIT GRANT HAZARDOUS MATERIALS/EPA RCRA HAZWASTE LQG REGULATIONS AWARENESS TRAINING WORKSHOP – August 22

NPETE

Rockville, MD

Aug 27-29, 2024

2024 PHMSA HMIT Grant 24-Hour DOT HAZMAT Regulations Awareness Course

NPETE

Chattanooga, TN

IHMM AFFILIATIONS

9210 Corporate Boulevard, Suite 470
Rockville, Maryland, 20850
www.ihmm.org | [email protected]
Phone: 301-984-8969 | Fax: 301-984-1516

2024-03-07T19:33:11+00:00

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