IHMM Today August 27, 2024

IHMM Today is an online publication of the Institute of Hazardous Materials Management® (IHMM®).

Other than content specifically provided by IHMM, articles contained in IHMM Today are compiled from

independent sources and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of IHMM.

Inside IHMM

Creating a Collaborative Culture

There are 1,416 different conversations going on in the IHMM/HMS Collaboration platform this week.

Do you have a problem you need to solve and want the opinions of your colleagues? We created the COLLABORATION platform to enable our certificants to network, learn, and grow from one another.

This is where we collaborate with the best people in their fields, always willing to help one another lessen the stress of our jobs and where we strive as a team to make a difference of which we are proud.

You can collaborate here.

Access to COLLABORATION is through the same username/password you use to access your MYIHMM account. Are you having a problem? Contact Jimmy Nguyen at [email protected]

IHMM Proposes Changes in Government Recognition of Credentials

IHMM Signs Letter Opposing Reductions in OSH Worker’s Pay – The IHMM Government Affairs Committee has agreed to sign a coalition letter opposing reductions in pay for IH and OSH employees. Here is the coalition letter we signed.

• Here is the response we received back from the VA.

IHMM submitted comments on OSHA Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health (ACCSH): Notice of Meetings concerning OSHA-2024-0002-0007, and highlighted the creation of IHMM’s Certified Pandemic Preparedness Specialist [CPPS] credential.

State of Maine Department of Environmental Protection is proposing to update Chapter 851, Standards for Generators of Hazardous Waste. In the current regulation, work is required by a professional engineer. IHMM is proposing to include an environmental professional as defined by 40 CFR §312.10.

All IHMM Government Affairs Projects Are Here

Beltway Buzz – Ogletree Deakins

DNC Platform Previews Democratic Policy Priorities. The Democratic Party held its national convention this week in Chicago, Illinois, and workplace issues featured prominently in the party’s agenda. These workplace issues will undoubtedly be a focus of the Harris/Walz presidential campaign leading up to Election Day, and they will likely be policy priorities in the event that the Democratic ticket wins the White House in 2025. Here are a few tidbits that we picked up during the convention:

• Labor Unions.
  • Political appointments. Officials from labor unions such as the AFL-CIO, United Autoworkers, Communications Workers of America, Service Employees International Union, Laborers’ International Union of North America, and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers all had brief speaking opportunities at the Democratic National Convention. This wasn’t a surprise, given that the 2024 Democratic Party Platform proclaims that the Biden administration has been the most “pro-union Administration in history” and notes that “President Biden named staunch labor allies and former union leaders to positions across the government.” A Harris/Walz administration would likely continue this relationship with organized labor.
  • Legislation. The platform states, “Democrats will keep fighting to pass the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act … and to hold abusive bosses accountable for violating workers’ rights.” It goes on to state, “We oppose state right-to-work laws, which drive down wages and leave workers unsafe; and we support penalizing employers who engage in union busting.”
  • Top-down organizing. The platform alludes to aligning union priorities—such as so-called neutrality agreements—with federal assistance programs. (“Consistent with the law, we will ensure that federal grants and other assistance to employers are contingent on recipients committing to not interfering with workers’ efforts to form a union.”)

• Federal contractors. The platform touts the administration’s final rule on project labor agreements, and hints that a Harris/Walz administration would push for some form of federal contractor “blacklisting”: “Democrats will continue to create strong labor standards for jobs created with taxpayer dollars through legislation and with strong Buy American rules.”

• Workplace Safety / Wage and Hour. The platform maintains that Democrats will “strengthen enforcement and penalties for safety, wage, and other labor and employment violations.” Obviously, this means stricter enforcement on the ground, but it could also allude to pushing for passage of bills like the PRO Act or the “Labor Enforcement to Securely (LET’S) Protect Workers Act.”

• Immigration. According to the platform, Democrats will continue to push the U.S. Citizenship Act, which was introduced very early in the Biden administration but didn’t gain traction. The most recent U.S. House of Representatives version of the bill has 118 cosponsors and there is no companion bill in the U.S. Senate.

Suffice it to say, a Harris/Walz administration would, at a minimum, seek to continue the union-friendly policies of the current administration.

Court Blocks FTC Ban on Non-Competes. On August 20, 2024, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas enjoined the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) from enforcing its ban on non-compete agreements, which was scheduled to go into effect on September 4, 2024. The court determined that the rule not only exceeded the FTC’s statutory authority, but it was arbitrary and capricious because it was “based on inconsistent and flawed empirical evidence, fail[ed] to consider the positive benefits of non-compete agreements, and disregard[ed] the substantial body of evidence supporting these agreements.” This week’s action is unlikely to be the final word on the matter, as the FTC may appeal the decision and there are ongoing challenges in Pennsylvania and Florida. James M. Barrett and Sean C. Urich have the details.

USCIS Releases “Parole in Place” Proposal. On August 20, 2024, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a notice implementing President Biden’s “parole in place” policy announced on June 18, 2024. The notice, which refers to the new process as “Keeping Families Together,” establishes a streamlined procedure by which certain noncitizen spouses and stepchildren of U.S. citizens can apply for adjustment of status to lawful permanent resident (LPR) while remaining in the United States. Currently, such individuals seeking LPR status must first depart the United States and apply for an immigrant visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad.

To take advantage of this new process, a noncitizen spouse of a U.S. citizen must:

• “Be present in the United States without admission or parole”;

• “Have been continuously physically present in the United States since at least June 17, 2014 through the date of filing the parole in place request”;

• “Have a legally valid marriage to a U.S. citizen on or before June 17, 2024”;

• “Have no disqualifying criminal history”; and

• “Submit biometrics, undergo required background checks and national security, public safety, and border security vetting, and be found not to pose a threat to national security or public safety.”

A requestor who is the stepchild of a U.S. citizen must:

• “Be present in the United States without admission or parole”;

• “Have a parent who entered into a legally valid marriage with a U.S. citizen on or before June 17, 2024 and before the child’s 18th birthday”;

• “Have been continuously physically present in the United States since at least June 17, 2024 through the date of filing”;

• “Have no disqualifying criminal history”; and

• “Submit biometrics, undergo required background checks and national security and public safety vetting, and be found not to pose a threat to national security or public safety.”

This new process became effective on August 19, 2024.

September is National Suicide Prevention Month

September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and September 9-13 is Construction Suicide Prevention Week, an annual event promoting awareness of the unique challenges faced by construction workers, how they can contribute to mental health challenges, including suicide risk, and what can be done to reduce risk and save lives.  Available resources include videos, toolbox talks, a social media toolkit and a sample Stand-Down agenda, and participants are encouraged to register their participation. For more information, see constructionsuicideprevention.com.

In addition, on Thursday, September 5, at 2 pm ET, CPWR – The Center for Construction Research and Training will host a webinar on Suicide Prevention in the Construction Industry in conjunction with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention (CIASP), and the Laborers Health and Safety Fund of North America (LHSNFA). Register here.

As a reminder, OSHA’s poster, Suicide Prevention: 5 Things You Should Know, handout, Role of Employers in Preventing Suicides, and fact sheet, Workplace Mental Health, are all available in English and Spanish.

Gear Up for Respiratory Protection Week

September 3-6, 2024. Mark your calendars! Respiratory Protection Week is returning September 3–6! During this annual weeklong event, we highlight the importance of respiratory protection in the workplace. We also offer resources to help you make informed decisions when selecting and wearing a respirator. This year, NIOSH will share new products and helpful tips that support NIOSH’s strategic direction in respiratory protection for workers.

To learn more, visit Respiratory Protection Week

Government Shutdown Threat Looms in September

National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health (NACOSH) Meeting – September 9

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will host a meeting of the National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health (NACOSH) on Monday, September 9, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., ET, by teleconference and WebEx.

Registration information is available on the NACOSH website here. Upon registration, attendees will receive a WebEx link and dial-in information to access the meeting remotely.

Individuals may submit comments and requests to speak at the NACOSH full committee meeting by Tuesday, September 3, 2024, identified by Docket No. OSHA–2024–0005, electronically at https://www.regulations.gov/, which is the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. For more information, including tentative agenda items and access information for the virtual meeting, see the Federal Register Notice.

Sustainable Materials Management Web Academy

The Sustainable Materials Management Web Academy series was a resource for anyone else interested in learning more about SMM principles from experts in the field. The webinars in this series provided information about key issues, successful projects, and a variety of best management practices for creating sound materials and waste management programs. You can find the recordings of and materials from past webinars in the table below.

Sort the table using the arrows next to each table header or search this webinar archive using the search bar just above the table below.

Read more

Creating the Water Workforce of the Future: Webinar Series

It Takes Partnership: Filling the Pipeline of Water Workforce Professionals

for Long-Term Sustainability

September 18th, 2024

11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time

Register Here

Increasingly complex challenges facing water utilities make it imperative that regional partners work together to train and prepare individuals to take on the critical role of operating our nation’s water infrastructure. One successful example is taking place in Northwest Ohio, led by the Toledo Metropolitan Council of Governments (TMACOG), Owens Community College, the City of Toledo, and utility partners across the region. Together, they have developed an innovative program to provide education and training to prepare individuals to operate and maintain critical drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. The program offers training for certification, as well as job placement assistance. Please join us September 18th to hear more about this exciting program, including its successes and challenges.

This webinar is part of an ongoing webinar series hosted by EPA, in partnership with leading water sector organizations around the country. More information on this webinar series can be found at 

https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-water-infrastructure/water-sector-workforce-webinars

NPDES Effective Utility Management Modernized Primer Webinar

September 23^rd, 2024

1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time

Register Here

September 27^th, 2024

1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time

Register Here

Effective Utility Management (EUM), based on the Attributes of Effectively Managed Utilities, developed by utilities for utilities, is the most widely used water utility management framework in the country. First issued in 2008, and endorsed by EPA and other water associations, a modernized version of the EUM Primer has just been released by the EPA Office of Wastewater Management and the Collaborating Organizations listed below.

In support of the roll-out for the modernized EUM Primer, the EPA Office of Wastewater Management is hosting two webinars on the updates that have been made to the EUM Primer. The webinars will not only inform you of the changes that have been made to the EUM Primer, but you will also learn the first steps for implementing EUM at your utility and will also have the opportunity to ask questions of the EUM Steering Group who participated in the modernization process.

If you would like to know more information on EUM, you can do so here.

Collaborating Organizations:

• S. Environmental Protection Agency
• Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies
• Association of Clean Water Administrators
• Association of State Drinking Water Administrators
• American Water Works Association
• Water Enforcement Federation
• The Water Research Foundation
• National Association of Clean Water Agencies

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

OSHA Emergency Response Standard Hearing

National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants From Hazardous Waste Combustors Malfunction and Electronic Reporting Amendments

OSHA Heat Standard Coming

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has released a proposed rule that would protect approximately 36 million workers in indoor and outdoor work settings from extreme heat. The proposed rule would require employers to develop an injury and illness prevention plan to control heat hazards in workplaces affected by excessive heat. Among other things, the plan would require employers to evaluate heat risks and — when heat increases risks to workers — implement requirements for drinking water, rest breaks and control of indoor heat. It would also require a plan to protect new or returning workers unaccustomed to working in high heat conditions.

Perhaps the biggest takeaway is a new requirement that affected employers (there’s a list of exemptions, which are mostly office and telework employee related) must develop and deploy a written heat safety plan. Once the formal proposal is published, there will be a comment period and plenty of opportunity to provide feedback to OSHA before any rule is finalized.

Federal Register Notice

Notice of Public Meetings: International Standards on the Transport of Dangerous Goods

PHMSA’s OHMS will be hosting public forums in advance of four international meetings to allow the public to give input on current proposals being considered by the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Dangerous Goods Panel (DGP) and the United Nations Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (UNSCOE TDG). The international meetings include:

• ICAO TDG Working Group 24 (WG/24), tentatively scheduled for October, in Montreal, Canada.
• The 65th session of the UNSCOE TDG, scheduled for November 25 to December 3, 2024, in Geneva, Switzerland.

Each of these public meetings will be held approximately two weeks before the corresponding international meeting at U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Headquarters in Washington, DC (1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building), with a remote participation option available. Specific information for each meeting, including date, time, conference call-in number, and details for advance registration will be posted when available on PHMSA’s website under “Upcoming Events.”

Federal Register here.

Back to School Livestream: The Research Behind School Safety Strategies

On 8/30, the University of Michigan’s Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention will host a livestream discussing the evidence behind effective school safety strategies. The event will provide guidance on tailoring safety plans to individual schools and introduce valuable tools available to school communities. The content is designed for the entire nationwide school community.

Learn More Here

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Back-to-School Resources

As schools and students across the country prepare for the new school year, here are resources to support a safe and successful return to the classroom:

• School Staff: Back to School Resources
• Caregivers: Back to School Resources
• SchoolSafety.gov’s Back-to-School Campaign

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Federal School Safety Clearinghouse External Advisory Board

The Department of Homeland Security announced the inaugural members of the Federal School Safety Clearinghouse External Advisory Board. The NCSS is honored to be part of this dedicated group of experts working to enhance K-12 school safety and security nationwide. Learn more here.

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Creating a Culture of Support: Enhancing Staff Resilience in Emergency Situations Webinar

In this webinar on 9/12, presenters from the Colorado School of Public Health will discuss improving systems around emergency drills through tailored training, gathering staff feedback, and identifying local resources. Participants will learn to customize training for their districts, lead effective feedback sessions, and implement changes based on staff input. Registration coming soon.

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Understanding Firearm-Related Injury and School Violence

In this 5-part podcast interview series released earlier this year, experts cover crucial topics like youth suicide prevention, anonymous reporting systems, and community engagement. Listeners will gain a comprehensive understanding of how school safety strategies intersect with firearm-related injuries.

Episode 1 – Contributing Factors for Firearm-Related Injuries

Episode 2 – Firearm Safety, School Violence, and Youth Suicide

Episode 3 – Extreme Risk Protection Orders

Episode 4 – Anonymous Reporting Systems

Episode 5 – Community Engagement

Learn More Here

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8 Lessons Learned From a Real-Life Swatting Incident

Last fall we hosted a live webinar with staff from the city of Franklin, New Hampshire, and the Franklin School District. The discussion highlighted their response to a swatting incident in 2022.

With these crises becoming more common nationwide, preparation is crucial. Our latest blog post shares valuable insights from the Franklin team that may help school districts address potential security issues.  Learn more here.

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• 9/25-26 – 2024 National Summit on K-12 School Safety and Security

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Explore Our School Threat Assessment Toolkit:

Now Available in Interactive Web Format!

Planning for a Confined Space Rescue

In 1993, more than thirty years ago, OSHA published its standard codifying procedures and mandating use of a permit system for entering confined spaces in general industry, 29 Code of Federal Regulations 1910.146. In 2015, OSHA published 29 CFR 1926, Subpart AA, which expanded the requirements for use of a permit-based system for confined space entries to include the construction industry. In addition to these OSHA standards, organizations such as the National Fire Protection Association and the American National Standards Institute have published best practice guidelines such as NFPA 350, Guide for Safe Confined Space Entry and Work and ANSI/ASSP Z117, Safety Requirements for Entering Confined Spaces to provide additional guidance.

Read more here.

• Have your say in our consultations
• Assessment of regulatory needs report published
• New proposals to harmonise classification and labelling
• Last change to register: Contract research organisation days
• Research results on extended one-generation reproductive toxicity study (EOGRTS) effects

IHMM-HMS Event Calendar