IHMM Today December 21, 2021

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

From all of us at IHMM we wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

Tuesday, December 21, 2021

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.

IHMM Credential Recognition

Below you will see the credential badges that are now in each CHMM, CHMP, CDGT, CDGP, Student CHMM, 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/.

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

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 is in all 50 of the United States and in 47 countries around the world.

NEED HELP?

Need Help? On the IHMM website just click on the “NEED HELP?” button
and let us know what you need and the right person will get right back with you.

…Is Rebranding to Become…

6th Circuit Court of Appeals Dissolves 5th Circuit Stay of OSHA ETS

The 6th Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati has dissolved the decision of the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans concerning the November 5, 2021, OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard [ETS] to protect the health of employees by mitigating the spread of the coronavirus.

The conflict between the two federal circuit courts of appeal ensures that the next stop for this issue will be the Supreme Court.

Stay tuned.

Read the 6th Circuit Court ruling here

The Labor Department announced on Saturday the 18th that it will delay full enforcement of its coronavirus vaccine mandate for large employers until February 9, after a series of legal battles made enforcement of the mandate uncertain.

The mandate by the agency’s Occupational Safety & Health Administration orders companies with 100 or more workers to require coronavirus vaccinations among employees, while employees who decline to be vaccinated will submit weekly coronavirus tests. The mandate was initially scheduled to go into effect on January 4.

While the 6th Circuit upheld the OSHA mandate on Friday the 17th, the Labor Department said it would delay enforcement because of “uncertainty” created by a previous stay of the mandate by a lower court.

“To provide employers with sufficient time to come into compliance, OSHA will not issue citations for non-compliance with any requirements of the ETS before January 10,” the Department said in a statement.

Justice Kavanaugh has given the parties until 4 pm Dec 30th to respond to the Petition to SCOTUS concerning the 6th Circuit’s decision allowing the OSHA ETS to go forward. See > https://ljc-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/2021/11/2021-12-18-BST-Emergency-Application-SCOTUS.pdf


IATA Releases Lithium Battery Guidance Document for 2022

To assist shippers in understanding the complete requirements related to the transport of lithium batteries, including packing instructions, IATA has prepared the updated Lithium Battery Guidance Document. This 2022 guidance document includes updated and additional FAQs for shippers to learn how to comply with the 63rd (2022) Edition of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) on definitions, classifications, exceptions, and prohibitions.

Read more > https://files.constantcontact.com/bd66bf45701/a0faf83f-b059-4f6b-afbc-f20afba0d271.pdf

IHMM is a Strategic Partner of IATA


Who Hire’s CSHMs?

Who hires Certified Safety and Health Managers [CSHM}? Below you will see a small sample of the government agencies and private companies that hire IHMM Certified Safety and Health Managers.



IHMM AHMM Scheme Committee – Call for Volunteers

The IHMM Associate Hazardous Materials Manager [AHMM] Scheme Committee has an immediate vacancy for membership.  We are also seeking Subject Matter Experts who are CHMMs, CHMPs, as well as those with some military service.

Charter: The Associate Hazardous Materials Manager [AHMM] Scheme Committee shall consist of subject matter experts whose responsibilities are twofold: To develop and maintain valid, legally defensible, and credible certification examinations in accordance with the latest approved policies and procedures; and to recommend and maintain standards for recertification, to evaluate activities that may be claimed for recertification, and to hear appeals of recertification decisions, in accordance with the latest approved policies and procedures. Initially, IHMM will not seek accreditation for this credential until the population attracted to this new credential reaches a critical mass capable of sustaining the investment in accreditation, while this committee nonetheless is aware that accreditation will eventually be sought.

The committee membership is awarded in 2-year increments. It requires that members attend virtual meetings, participate in the test specification process, review the draft blueprint and finalize the blueprint according to best practices. Also, develop the examination and write items, participate in the content validation and technical review, and set the cut score. The reward is recognition for your contribution to the continued vitality of the Institute and 10 certification maintenance points (CMPs) per year toward your recertification for your participation and an additional 10 CMPs for developing the final blueprint.  In addition, volunteers agree to adhere to the appropriate IHMM Code of Ethics and the IHMM Volunteer Code of Conduct, all members of the scheme committee shall execute an Agreement of Confidentiality at the beginning of each term.

If you are interested, please go to: https://ihmm.org/ahmm-scheme-committee/

If you have any questions, please contact M. Patricia Buley,  AHMM Scheme Committee Staff Liaison, at [email protected].




CSHM-CSMP Credential Holders – Good News

We have great news for all CSHM and CSMP credential holders with IHMM.  The paper CoC recertification worksheets you have had to do are now history.  This week IHMM staff started beta-testing the new system with a handful of CSHMs and CSMPs.

We are pleased to inform you that an entirely secure, web-based recertification system that allows you to input your Certification Maintenance Points [CMPs] and keep track of where you are throughout your 5-year recertification cycle is now ready for you to use – no more paper!

You are used to a 30 point or 20 point system over 5 years, and the new system still allows you to enter those points and it will automatically convert them to the IHMM 200-point system. You lose nothing in the transition.

  • Go to your MYIHMM account here, and see the top toolbar on the website, click on My IHMM > https://ihmm.org

  • If you don’t know your username and password – contact Jimmy Nguyen here > [email protected] or James Drosdak > [email protected] or Kaylene Cagle > [email protected] or Mikki Shea > [email protected]  one of them can assist you with your username and password to your account
  • Start your recertification application today, no need to wait. We will walk you through the MENU in your account to get to RECERTIFICATION, then start your application. Jimmy, Jim, Kaylene, and Mikki can assist you with how to use the Recertification system. You can contact any one of them using the emails above.

Once you are in your recertification application we will show you how to enter your points based on the blueprint of your credential. This is all the same as what you used to do on paper – except with the electronic version you can keep track of your progress anytime you wish.

This is a great system that, once you see it and use it a bit, will be easy for you to update as you go.

We will soon conduct the survey validation that will lead to the new blueprints.  The new blueprints for the CSHM and CSMP will be released after the holidays. IHMM thanks Steve Guillory, Tom Slavin, and the CSHM Scheme Committee https://ihmm.org/cshm-scheme-committee/  and Kirk Rains, Trina Cameron and the CSMP Scheme Committee https://ihmm.org/csmp-scheme-committee/  for the outstanding job they have all done creating new blueprints that will lead to a new exam, and then we seek ANSI accreditation for these programs.

All this work, done by many at IHMM, ensures that the CSHM and CSMP credentials you hold will be the very strongest in the industry and our communities of practice.



Who Is Your Company Marketing Head?

Whoever is the person or persons in your company who controls your company’s marketing/advertising budget, we would like the name[s] and contact information. We appreciate your help!

Please provide the answer on this webform: https://forms.gle/B2FcmsajPLo6oYzg9



NIOSH Seeks Comments on the Need to Establish Centers of Excellence

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is soliciting public comment on the need to establish centers of excellence to address research and practice needs in the area of personal protective technology (PPT), including personal protective equipment. The request for information has been published in the Federal Register, and complete details of the information requested can be found in the published notice:

Federal Register :: The Need To Establish Personal Protective Technology Centers of Excellence To Address Research and Practice Gaps

Comments can be submitted via the Federal eRulemaking Portal or by mail as explained in the notice. Comments need to be received by January 31, 2022.

FEDERAL CREDENTIAL RECOGNITION – CALL TO ACTION – Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act

CALL TO ACTION – Representative Spanberger of Virginia’s 7th Congressional District has drafted legislation entitled,  H.R. 2171, “Freedom To Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act.” This legislation expands the provisions of existing law with respect to the allowable uses of Section 529 education tuition accounts to include most expenses paid by the holders of private professional certifications. We need you to contact your House and Senate members to ask them to co-sponsor this legislation.

CLICK HERE TO PARTICIPATE

You can support this effort with your voice and message. Go here>  https://ihmm.org/45-in-5-task-force/  and fill out your contact information where provided and help to pass H.R. 2171/S. 905.

IHMM RECENT NEWS


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 GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

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.

HMS Education and Training to Launch New Training Initiative

Diane Lundelius, Chair of the HMS Education and Training Committee [https://hazmatsociety.org/education-training-committee/] is pleased to announce the committee’s intention to organize Annual Training Agendas for each IHMM Blueprint.

Every IHMM certificate has to recertify their credential every 5 years. Recertification is done by following the Recertification Claims found here > https://ihmm.org/recertification-claims/. The activities involved in recertification are tied to the credential’s blueprint. Each blueprint is made up of domains and subdomains that outline the core competencies and tasks of the credential.

In creating an Annual Training Agenda for each blueprint, the HMS Education and Training Committee will ask training vendors to propose training programs that directly relate to each domain in each blueprint – creating a roadmap of essential, recommended training programs pre-approved with Certification Maintenance Point [CMP] credits for each course of training. This will vastly strengthen each credential and make it easier for each credential holder to find programs specifically related to their credential for recertification.

Hazardous Materials Society now has 6,347 education and training programs on its website, with more coming every week. Certificants will note that most of these programs carry a CMP value, making it easier to know in advance what to expect. The HMS Education and Training platform also provides a wide variety of courses for professional development across all of IHMM’s credentials – and more are being developed by the HMS Education and Training Committee.

IHMM applicants and certificants are free to search the landscape for training. IHMM wanted to make that task easier by aggregating training in one place if you choose to use it. Among these more than 11.000 programs are webinars delivered online and virtually all carry IHMM CMPs values with them for your annual / 5-year CMP planning.

Learn more here.


Bowen EHS Becomes 1st HMS Annual Training Agenda Vendor

HMS is pleased to announce that Bowen EHS [https://www.bowenehs.com/] has become the first education and training vendor to become a part of the development of the HMS Annual Training Agendas.

Bowen EHS has provided programs to assist with the education and training of IHMM credential holders for more than a decade and now leads the vendor community by becoming a part of the development of these new HMS Annual Training Agendas for IHMM credential holders.

IHMM and HMS thank Bowen EHS for their outstanding programs and for their support of our communities of practice.

For more information on becoming an official HMS Annual Training Agenda vendor to work with the HMS Education and Training Committee, please contact Gene Guilford at [email protected].

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.

Member Benefits of Hazardous Materials Society

81% of IHMM certificants are aware of the Hazardous Materials Society, which we appreciate. IHMM established the Hazardous Materials Society in order to support and provide services to IHMM certificants.

Did You Know?

Your company’s membership dues for Associate Membership in the Hazardous Materials Society (HMS) are 100% tax-deductible and your participation directly supports scholarship and education/training opportunities for professionals working in hazmat and EHS. Joining as an Associate Member expresses your commitment and your company’s leadership in giving back to our professional community. Join today to claim your tax deduction for the 2020 tax year while expressing your company’s professional affiliation and accessing tools for your marketing and business development plans.

To learn more about what HMS is doing now and what they are planning for the future, please see the new Member Benefits page here.

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.

New! Vaccine Data Dashboard. We now have a specific dashboard dedicated to state vaccination plans, updated daily. For each state, you’ll find:

  • Current distribution phase,
  • Brief overview of state plan,
  • Current and future eligible populations, and
  • Links to state documentation.

A Collaborative Culture

There are 552 different conversations going on in the IHMM/HMS Collaboration platform this week.

A collaborative culture is important for every business but is especially important for our hazardous materials, dangerous goods, environment, health, and safety communities of practice. Do you have a problem you need to solve and want the opinions of your colleagues? This is where we come together to help each other.

IHMM credentialed professionals are at the top 1% of their professions and their reach is global. We are at the forefront of environmental protection, health, and safety and this is where collaborating with the best people in their fields, always willing to help one another, lessens the stress of our jobs, and where we strive as a team to make a difference of which we are proud.

We opened COLLABORATION to enable thousands of certificants and supporters to collaborate together. You can collaborate here.

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

Retiring? IHMM Invites You to Become an Emeritus

You may have decided, after a long and successful career, to retire from active daily duty. Congratulations. That doesn’t mean you have to completely disengage from your profession. IHMM is pleased to offer Emeritus status to all certificants who will no longer be actively engaged in their communities of practice but who still want to stay in touch. Please let us know when you’re approaching that decision and we will assist you in the credential transition.

Please contact Jim Drosdak at [email protected] and he’ll be happy to help you.

Columbia Southern University

The Hazardous Materials Society [HMS] is a partner of Columbia Southern University. Columbia Southern University is an online university based in Orange Beach, Alabama, that strives to change and improve lives through higher education by enabling students to maximize their professional and personal potential.

A subsidiary of Columbia Southern Education Group, CSU offers online degree programs at the associate, bachelor, master, doctorate or certificate levels in a multitude of areas such as occupational safety and health, fire administration, criminal justice, business administration, human resource management, health care administration and more. CSU also features undergraduate and graduate certificate programs to provide focused training in specialized areas for adult learners.

Click on the CSU graphic at left and learn more about the professional development and degree program opportunities at CSU.

IHMM CONFERENCES FOR 2022

IHMM will attend and support a number of conferences and trade shows throughout 2022, virtually as well as in-person as COVID issues allow. Below are some of the conferences IHMM will support in 2022.

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

Ohio Safety Conference 2022

March 9-10, 2022

In March 2022, OSC22 will feature a premium lineup of online learning sessions and a newly enhanced digital expo.

Exhibitors to feature their products and services related to the safety of workers, their equipment, environment, and health all in a remote and virtual environment. Join us to access this exciting event that serves the individuals responsible for keeping Ohio’s workers safe on the job.

American Society of Safety Professionals – San Francisco

March 10, 2022
San Ramon, California

This Annual Symposium provides one of the most sought-after events for attendees to learn the profession’s best practices focusing on Safety, Health, Industrial Hygiene & Environmental Issues. The Symposium is attended by over 400+ attendees annually and features an Exhibition of over 40+ Sponsors and Exhibitors.  The event features a keynote speaker and 20 breakout sessions with five concurrent tracks running throughout the day.   The event is hosted at the San Ramon Marriott, located at 2600 Bishop Drive in San Ramon, California.

Thank you to Bart Miller, CHMM, for being the IHMM’s leader for this event.

AHMP National Conference

March 20-23, 2022
Planet Hollywood Resort, Las Vegas, Nevada

Pre-conference workshops at the AHMP National Conference for 2022 include a Certified Dangerous Goods Professional [CDGP] exam prep course offered by Gene Sanders. The 3-day exam prep course will be offered on March 18-19-20. For more information see> https://ahmp.confex.com/ahmp/2022/meetingapp.cgi/Session/5584

Information about the AHMP National Conference is found here.

EnviroWorkShops 2022 Global Enviro Summit

April 4-7, 2022
Charlotte, North Carolina

Contaminated soil, groundwater, and the air is a global issue and over $1 trillion is spent every year to mitigate pollution.  There is a lot still to learn from each other on how each segment of the environmental industry impacts the next. The 2021 Global EnviroSummit is postponed until April 4-7, 2022 due to COVID-19 Delta variant.

With over 75 speakers from around the globe, the EnviroSummit is likely the first environmental conference that will have presentations from all 6 continents about 4 different themes – Remediation, Air Quality, Vapor Intrusion, and Wastewater.

COSTHA Annual Forum and Expo

April 4-6, 2022

Vendor Alert

How much of this business are you getting? If you want to get involved with delivering services to the growing number of IHMM applicants and those preparing for exams as well as continuing education, contact Jillian Wood at [email protected] or call 301-244-4863 today.

IHMM GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

Build Back Better Act – Dead, For Now

On Sunday the 19th West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin [D] announced that he would not vote to advance the President’s Build Back Better Act in the Senate. The only way for the legislation to advance is for all 50 Democrats to vote in favor and then the Vice President would cast the tie-breaking vote in favor as all 50 Republicans are expected to vote against the bill.

While there were hundreds in Washington Sunday running around with their hair on fire screaming at Senator Manchin, nothing in Washington ever really dies but does go into hibernation.

The Senate and House have already left town for the Christmas recess. Expect when Congress returns in January that the massive $1.75 trillion Build Back Better Act will be broken up into pieces and other attempts made to pass individual bills. The agenda for Congress in January includes the Voting Rights legislation and the reconstituted versions of the Build Back Better Act.

Fall 2021 Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions

The Biden Administration’s Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions (Agenda) reports on the actions administrative agencies plan to issue in the near and long term. Released by the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, the Agenda provides important public notice and transparency about proposed regulatory and deregulatory actions within the Executive Branch.

The Regulatory Information Service Center (RISC) was created in June 1981. The Center undertakes projects that will facilitate the development of and access to information about Federal regulatory and deregulatory activities. The Center’s principal publication is the Unified Agenda in coordination with the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. Since 1978, Federal agencies have been required by Executive orders to publish agendas of regulatory and deregulatory activities. RegInfo.gov displays editions of the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions beginning with fall 1995.

Read more > https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eAgendaMain

Beltway Buzz – Ogletree & Deakins

Build Back Better … in 2022? Over the last several weeks, the Buzz has been monitoring congressional Democrats’ efforts to pass the Build Back Better Act, a $1.7 trillion social-spending package containing, among other things, proposals for a federal paid-leave program and brand-new, increased civil penalties for employer violations of various federal labor laws. The U.S. House of Representatives passed its version of the bill on November 19, 2021. Democratic leaders in the U.S. Senate were trying to pass their version of the legislation before leaving for the Christmas break next week, but it now looks increasingly unlikely that a vote on the bill will occur before then. There is an expression in Washington, D.C.: if you have the votes, you vote. It appears that the Democrats do not yet have the votes they need to pass the bill—and they will need all 50 Democrats and Independents in the Senate to support the package. At the moment, chances are we will be monitoring the progress of the Build Back Better legislation in 2022.

Biden Administration Releases Regulatory Road Map. Last week, the Buzz wondered aloud when the administration would release the fall 2021 regulatory agenda. Just hours after the Buzz was released, the administration did just that. Below are some of the highlights of what the regulated community can expect in the coming months (as a reminder, the dates are aspirational in nature).

U.S. Department of Labor

  • Occupational Safety and Health Administration
    • COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS). No further action is listed for the interim final rule that has been blocked by a federal court.
    • COVID-19 Healthcare ETS. The agenda states “Next Action Undetermined” for the ETS applicable to the healthcare industry that was issued on June 10, 2021, and is set to expire on December 21, 2021.
    • State plans: Hello, MA, Goodbye, AZ? The agenda states that by May 2022 the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will issue a notice of proposed rulemaking on whether to approve a forthcoming plan from Massachusetts to establish a state OSHA plan covering state and local government employees. Additionally, before the end of the year, OSHA is expected to issue a proposed notice revoking Arizona’s state plan due to its alleged noncompliance with OSHA’s healthcare ETS.
    • Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings. The deadline for public comment on the advanced notice of proposed rulemaking as reflected in the agenda is outdated. The comment deadline has been extended to January 26, 2022.
    • Improve Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses. By the end of the year, OSHA is expected to issue a proposal “to amend its recordkeeping regulation to restore the requirement to electronically submit to OSHA information from the OSHA Form 300 (Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses) and OSHA Form 301 (Injury and Illness Incident Report).”
    • Tree Care. OSHA intends to propose a tree care standard by June 2022.
  • Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs
    • Investigations. By February 2022, Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) intends to modify the 2020 final rule which established parameters for resolving potential employment discrimination and issuing predetermination notices (PDN) and Notices of Violation (NOV). OFCCP will also propose “other related changes to the pre-enforcement notice and conciliation process.”
    • Subcontract Notification. By April 2022, OFCCP will propose regulations “requiring contractors to provide notice to OFCCP when they award supply and service subcontracts” that would “enabl[e] it to schedule supply and service subcontractors for compliance evaluations.”

National Labor Relations Board

  • Joint Employer. Not surprisingly, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) expects that by February 2022, it “will engage in rulemaking on the standard for determining whether two employers, as defined in Section 2(2) of the National Labor Relations Act (Act), are a joint employer under the Act.” This effort will likely propose eliminating or amending the Board’s 2020 bright-line test and replacing it with a broader, more amorphous joint-employer standard.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

  • H-1B Reform. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) proposes to amend “the regulations relating to [the] ‘employer-employee relationship,’” “implement new requirements and guidelines for site visits,” “address ‘cap-gap’ issues,” “bolster the H-1B registration process to reduce the possibility of misuse and fraud in the H-1B registration system,” and “clarify the requirement that an amended or new petition be filed where there are material changes, including by streamlining notification requirements relating to certain worksite changes, among other provisions.” USCIS expects to release the proposal by May 2022.

EEOC Updates COVID-19 Guidance Relating to “Disability.” On December 14, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) updated its COVID-19 guidance with new frequently asked questions (FAQs) to address circumstances in which COVID-19 may be a “disability” under Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Highlights of the guidance include the following:

  • “[D]epending on the specific facts involved in a particular employee’s medical condition, an individual with COVID-19 might have an actual disability.”
  • The guidance distinguishes mild, temporary COVID-19–related conditions (such as sore throat, fever, or headaches that last a few weeks) from COVID-19 symptoms that substantially limit a major life activity (such as “heart palpitations, chest pain, shortness of breath, and related effects due to the virus that last, or are expected to last, for several months”) and that may constitute a disability under the ADA.
  • “Determining whether a specific employee’s COVID-19 is an actual disability always requires an individualized assessment, and such assessments cannot be made categorically.”

NLRB Extends “Consequential Damages” Deadline. The NLRB extended the deadline for stakeholders to submit comments in response to the issue of whether the Board should award consequential damages as a remedy for unlawful layoffs or terminations. The Buzz previously wrote about the case. Interested stakeholders now have until January 10, 2022, to file briefs with the Board on the matter.

Open House. On December 16, 1857, the House of Representatives met for the first time in its newly constructed chamber—the same chamber it meets in currently. Construction on both wings of the U.S. Capitol began in 1851 in order to accommodate the growing number of representatives and to improve ventilation and acoustics. Unfortunately for the 35th Congress, the new accommodations did nothing to soothe the growing political tensions that would eventually result in civil war just a few years later. In fact, just several weeks after the opening of the new chamber, a brawl broke out in the House over a debate regarding the entry of Kansas into the Union. More than 30 members participated in the fisticuffs, and the melee only ended when two Republicans from Wisconsin—John “Bowie Knife” Potter and Cadwallader Washburn—tore off Mississippi Democrat William Barksdale’s hairpiece. The incident serves as a reminder that a bad as our current political climate may be, it has always been challenging.

IHMM-HMS EVENTS CALENDAR

IHMM has a companion organization for which education and training programs are presented and delivered.  The Hazardous Materials Society is IHMM’s Professional Association and HMS’ education and training website can be found here.

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

Online

DailyCE 1105: Maritime Hazardous Materials Inventory Columbia Southern University

Online

DailyCE 1106: Coronavirus Facts: Understanding the CoronavirusColumbia Southern University

Online

DailyCE 1107: Coronavirus Prevention & Control: Strategies for EmployeesColumbia Southern University

Online

DailyCE 1108: Coronavirus Prevention: Strategies for ManagersColumbia Southern University

Online

DailyCE 1109: Coronavirus Prevention & Control: Train the TrainerColumbia Southern University

Online

DailyDOT NON-Bulk Training Compliance Associates

Online

DailyWebinar IATA Dangerous Goods Training Compliance Associates

Online

DailyWebinar DOT Bulk Tank Truck Training Compliance Associates

Online

DailyOnsite DOT Bulk Tank Truck Training Compliance Associates

Online

DailyOnline DOT Bulk Railcar TrainingCompliance Associates

Online

DailyOSHA 30 Construction (Online) ClickSafety

Online

DailyHAZWOPER 2021 Refresher (Online) ClickSafety

Online

DailyHAZWOPER 40-Hour All Industries (Online) ClickSafety

Online

DailyHAZWOPER 24-Hour All Industries (Online) ClickSafety

Online

DailyHazmat General, Safety and Security Awareness Online Training Course Chemtrec

Online

DailyIATA Dangerous Goods Online Training for Operations Chemtrec

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

Daily49 CFR TrainingChemtrec

Online

DailyIATA Dangerous Goods Online Training for Operations PersonnelChemtrec

Online

DailyCHMM Online Review Bowen

Online

DailyOnsite Lithium Battery TrainingCompliance Associates

Online

DailyOnsite ADR TrainingCompliance Associates

Online

DailyWebinar ADR TrainingCompliance Associates

Online

DailyWebinar TDG TrainingCompliance Associates

Online

DailyOSHA Confined Space Operations TrainingHazmat School

Online

Daily49CFR/IATA/IMDG INITIAL WEBINARDGI

Online

DailyIATA/IMDG Certification TrainingDGI

Online

DailyDangerous Goods Shipping Private WebinarDGI

Online

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IHMM AFFILIATIONS

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

2021-12-21T02:02:28+00:00

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