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Tuesday, February 14, 2023
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Congratulations Jessica, and Welcome to IHMM
- Why an IHMM Certification? Career advancement: IHMM certifications can demonstrate an individual’s expertise and commitment to their profession, which can lead to opportunities for career advancement, higher salaries, and increased job security.
- Why an IHMM Certification? Industry recognition: IHMM certifications serve as a symbol of distinction and can be recognized by employers, peers, and other professionals in the field.
- Why an IHMM Certification? Improved skills: By earning an IHMM certification, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of the concepts and skills required in their field, and can improve their abilities to perform their job duties.
- Why an IHMM Certification? Professional development: IHMM certifications can help individuals stay current with the latest developments and best practices in their field, and can provide opportunities for ongoing professional development.
- Why an IHMM Certification? Increased credibility: By earning an IHMM certification, individuals can demonstrate their expertise and commitment to their profession, which can increase their credibility and reputation in the eyes of their employers, peers, and clients.
Overall, IHMM certifications can play an important role in an individual’s professional development and can provide many benefits to both the individual and their organization.
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/.
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 In-Person or Remotely Proctored Exams
The American National Standards Institute [ANSI] has approved Kryterion Remotely Proctored Exams for IHMM’s CHMM, CHMP, and CDGP exams. IHMM has been using the Kryterion Remotely Proctored Exams for the CSHM and CSMP exams since April 2020.
76% of Kryterion in-person testing centers have reopened. If you prefer the comfort and convenience of taking your exam from your home or office instead of at a Kryterion center, IHMM is ready to enroll you in a remotely proctored examination.
Please contact either Kortney Tunstall at [email protected] for the CHMM, Student CHMM, CHMP, or CDGP exams or Kaylene Cagle at [email protected] for the Student ASHM, CSHM, or CSMP exams.
IHMM Credentials Accredited By
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
This Loofah-Inspired, Sun-Driven Gel Could Purify All the Water You’ll Need in a Day
Plastic Debris in the Arctic Comes from All Around the World
Artificial Sweetener as Wastewater Tracer
Engineers Examine Drinking Water Management Strategies
‘Game-Changing’ Findings for Sustainable Hydrogen Production
Request for Public Nominations of Experts to Serve on a Review Panel
Notification of Public Meetings of the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee Ozone Panel
Addressing Radon in the Environmental Review Process; Request for Comment
Availability of Four Draft Toxicological Profiles
Final Updated Clean Water Act Financial Capability Assessment Guidance
Biden-Harris Administration Announces $2 Billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funding to States and Territories to Address Emerging Contaminants like PFAS in Drinking Water
TSCA in 2023: There’s a Lot Coming
EU PFAS Ban Should Raise U.S. Corporate Concerns
Illinois PFAS Lawsuit Seeks To Avoid MDL
Scope 3 To Be Or Not To Be? That Is The ESG Question
OSHA announces Advisory Committee on Construction Safety, Health to meet March 1; workgroups to meet Feb. 28
Massachusetts roofer facing $137,508 in new OSHA fines
An introduction to investigating accidents in the workplace
11 trends about violence in the workplace safety professionals need to know
‘Serial Violator’ That OSHA Found Exposing Employees to Falls Now Faces Citations for 4 Willful Violations
Back to Basics: OSHA Inspections 101
Workforce challenges top concern for hospital CEOs for second year in a row, survey finds
There’s a new inflation warning for consumers coming from the supply chain
Keeping Temporary Workers Safe
Regulatory Update: NY Warehouse Worker Law Aimed at Amazon
Protect Workers with a Roof Safety Audit
OSHA’s Workplace Stress Safety and Health Page
Procedures for the Handling of Retaliation Complaints Under the Criminal Antitrust Anti-Retaliation Act (CAARA)
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has updated its Site-Specific Targeting (SST) inspection plan, the agency’s main site-specific programmed inspection initiative for non-construction workplaces that have 20 or more employees. The SST program uses objective data from injury and illness information that employers submit under 29 CFR § 1904.41 to direct enforcement resources to those workplaces with the highest rates of injuries and illnesses.
How U of T Engineering researchers are helping to design the future of nuclear waste management
PHMSA Increasing Civic Penalty Amounts for 2023
IHMM Government Affairs
IHMM Board Chair Bill Diesslin has issued a call for volunteers for the IHMM Government Affairs Committee. Everyone can learn more about the charter of this committee here > https://ihmm.org/government-affairs-committee/
In joining this committee we request a cross-section of all of IHMM’s credential holders, as IHMM is involved in a wide variety of government affairs activities that are described in detail here > https://ihmm.org/ihmm-government-affairs/
Current Priorities 2/2023
NY Department of Labor rulemaking concerning the recognition of the CSHM and CSMP – IHMM has drafted the amendment to NYS DOL regulations to facilitate recognition of the CSHM and CSMP and is working with a CSHM in NY now
Work with Eric Vega in Puerto Rico concerning credential recognition
Review of the Governor of Nevada’s Executive Order concerning licensing boards and the potential for recognition of the CHMM
Scheduling meetings with the Maryland Congressional delegation concerning the Certified Pandemic Preparedness Specialist [CPPS] credential. These meetings are being scheduled now and should occur on March 1-2, 2023 with all 10 members of the Maryland Congressional delegation.
FRA’s Oversight of Hazardous Materials Shipments Lacks Comprehensive Risk Evaluation and Focus on Deterrence
In 2016 the Office of the Inspector General [OIG] of the Department of Transportation issued a comprehensive report on the Federal Railroad Administration and its lack of effective oversight of the transportation of hazardous materials by rail in the United States.
In Brief
“FRA has not conducted a comprehensive evaluation of risks associated with hazardous materials transportation that appropriately addresses national level risk. Neither the National Inspection Plan nor the hazardous materials staffing process—two nationwide tools provided to regional specialists—produces a complete evaluation of risk. For example, both models assess how much hazardous material is routed through a region, but not the proximity of those routes to population centers. Regional specialists supplement guidance provided to them by FRA Headquarters with additional information they consider important— such as non-accident release trends, knowledge of local operations, and National Safety Program Plan projects—to identify risk-prone operations or locations for inspection. However, because it focuses on regional planning, the Agency has no overall understanding of the national risk environment. As a result, FRA cannot be sure that the regions consider all appropriate risk factors when allocating hazardous materials inspection resources.”
In light of the accident in East Palestine, Ohio whose full exposures are only now coming to light, this report virtually predicted the ramifications of FRA’s shortcomings.
The United States has about 140,000 miles of railroad for freight cars, which are owned and maintained by private organizations. Each year, nearly a billion tons of hazardous materials are shipped by rail, according to the American Chemistry Council.
Read more here > https://www.oig.dot.gov/sites/default/files/FRA%20Oversight%20of%20Hazmat%20by%20Rail_Final%20Report%5E2-24-16.pdf
Initial Recommendations on Broadening OIRA Engagement
The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) released a summary of learnings and potential recommendations from its November 2022 listening session on broadening public engagement in the federal regulatory process. OIRA invites feedback as it considers the recommendations, which aim to make regulatory material more accessible and to reduce barriers to public participation—particularly among small businesses, and underserved communities. An additional virtual listening session will be held March 7. Comments due March 10 at 5PM ET.
ECHA publishes PFAS restriction proposal
ECHA/NR/23/04
The details of the proposed restriction of around 10 000 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are now available on ECHA’s website. ECHA’s scientific committees will now start evaluating the proposal in terms of the risks to people and the environment, and the impacts on society.
Helsinki, 7 February 2023 – The proposal was prepared by authorities in Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden and submitted to ECHA on 13 January 2023. It aims to reduce PFAS emissions into the environment and make products and processes safer for people.
All PFASs in the scope of the proposal are very persistent in the environment. If their releases are not minimised, people, plants and animals will be increasingly exposed, and without a restriction, such levels will be reached that have negative effects on people’s health and the environment. The authorities estimate that around 4.4 million tonnes of PFASs would end up in the environment over the next 30 years unless action is taken.
Peter van der Zandt, ECHA’s Director for Risk Assessment said: “This landmark proposal by the five authorities supports the ambitions of the EU’s Chemicals Strategy and the Zero Pollution action plan. Now, our scientific committees will start their evaluation and opinion forming. While the evaluation of such a broad proposal with thousands of substances, and many uses, will be challenging, we are ready.”
Next steps
ECHA’s scientific committees for Risk Assessment (RAC) and for Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC) will check that the proposal meets the legal requirements of REACH in their meetings in March 2023. If it does, the committees will begin their scientific evaluation of the proposal. A six-month consultation is planned to start on 22 March 2023.
RAC will form an opinion on whether the proposed restriction is appropriate in reducing the risks to people’s health and the environment, while SEAC’s opinion will be on the socio-economic impacts, i.e. benefits and costs to society, associated with the proposal. Both committees form their opinions based on the information in the restriction proposal and the comments received during consultations. The committees also consider advice from the Enforcement Forum on the enforceability of the proposed restriction. Once the opinions are adopted, they will be sent to the European Commission who, together with the EU Member States, will then decide on the potential restriction.
An online information session will be organised on 5 April 2023 to explain the restriction process and to help those interested in participating in the consultation.
Check the timeline below for the next steps:
Manchin, White House Said To Discuss ‘Phase 2’ NEPA Permitting Rule
Senate energy committee Chairman Joe Manchin (D-WV) and White House officials have been discussing ways to include some of the senator’s permitting proposals that have so far been rejected in Congress in a looming Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) “Phase 2” National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) rule, according to industry sources.
While it is unclear which specific measures the Biden administration might include in the high-profile rulemaking, sources say administrative limits put at least one proposal off the table — Manchin’s push to ensure approval of the controversial Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) in his home state.
One industry source says there is “no doubt” about discussions between Manchin and the White House over the phase 2 rule, which CEQ is advancing to address the Trump-era NEPA implementing rule that dramatically scaled back how agencies use the bedrock environmental law.
“And it likely goes beyond Manchin now to other [Democrats] on committees dealing with Republican energy permitting proposals,” according to this source.
While there “has been plenty of talk” from Republicans about permitting, the source says it does not appear the GOP is in communication with the White House as the administration prepares to issue the phase 2 proposal. A draft plan has been under inter-agency review at the White House since Jan. 30.
–Inside EPA
New Water Coalition Begins Push For PFAS CERCLA Liability Exemption
Water utility groups have formed a new coalition to urge Congress to provide a statutory exemption from Superfund liability for PFAS that travels through their systems, noting that while EPA agrees the systems should not be liable, the agency does not have the authority to provide a legal shield.
In a Feb. 3 letter to lawmakers, the Water Coalition Against PFAS says it recognizes the need to address public health and environmental concerns related to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) but that such actions must appropriately assign liability to those responsible for creating the contamination.
“Collectively, the Coalition forms a unified voice seeking to communicate the impact imminent federal action will have on those who are responsible for protecting public health through providing drinking water and wastewater services across the nation,” the letter says.
The members of the coalition are the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, which represents large municipally owned drinking water utilities; the American Water Works Association, which represents a variety of drinking water utilities; the National Association of Clean Water Agencies, which represents municipally owned wastewater utilities; the National Rural Water Association, which represents small and rural drinking water and wastewater utilities; and the Water Environment Federation, which represents water quality professionals.
While the water groups are united in their push, it is not clear how much traction they will be able to win in a divided Congress and a Democratic White House.
–Inside EPA
EPA Defends Scrapping State Ozone Transport Plans, As Litigation Looms
EPA is defending its recent disapproval of 19 states’ plans for curbing emissions of interstate ozone, a decision that paves the way for the agency to impose tougher federal controls under an expanded Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR), after many states and industry groups heavily criticized the disapproval and signaled likely litigation ahead.
The disapproval rule, quietly issued Jan. 31 and scheduled for publication in the Federal Register Feb. 13, scraps the state implementation plans (SIPs) intended to implement the Clean Air Act “good neighbor” provision, in a bid to help states attain the 2015 ozone national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) of 70 parts per billion (ppb).
“EPA evaluated each SIP submission on its merits,” the agency says, though critics charge officials rejected the plans arbitrarily to make way for CSAPR under a federal implementation plan (FIP) instead.
States and the agency are already years behind schedule in meeting the good neighbor requirement, which holds that states must mitigate their interstate emissions of ozone that “significantly” contribute to problems attaining or maintaining NAAQS in other states downwind.
Disapproving the SIPs is a legal prerequisite for EPA to finalize its planned expansion of CSAPR, enlarging the program to new states and industries, and tightening existing state emissions caps for power plants.
EPA sent the final CSAPR FIP for White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) pre-publication review Feb. 9, according to OMB’s website. Review typically takes up to 90 days, but can be faster or slower, depending on the circumstances. EPA aims to issue the final FIP in March under the timeline established in its latest regulatory agenda.
–Inside EPA
OSHA’s Safe + Sound Campaign is a nationwide opportunity to raise awareness and understanding of the value of proactive occupational safety and health (OSH) programs in all workplaces. Look for the 2023 Safe+Sound program in August this year.
Safe + Sound emphasizes the need for safety programs at small- and mid-sized businesses, which are more likely to have limited resources dedicated to safety. As you know, effective OSH programs can help organizations identify and manage workplace risk before they cause injury or illness, improving sustainability and the bottom line. Safety and health management systems are a critical best practice to ensure that OSH programs achieve significant results and lower risk exposure.
Earn a Challenge Coin
Workers are an important resource for identifying workplace hazards and implementing changes. Safety reporting systems allow ideas and suggestions for improving safety to be captured.
Take the Speak Up for Safety Challenge! Review your safety reports with a team to find common themes and opportunities to improve your overall workplace safety and health performance.
Complete the challenge and earn your virtual challenge coin! Then, share the results in your workplace and on social media to show how you encourage workers to #SpeakUpForSafety to be #SafeAndSoundAtWork.
Your Partner Punch List
We would appreciate if you could support Safe + Sound by doing the following:
- Promote the Speak Up for Safety Challenge to your stakeholders
2023 IHMM Certificant Survey
This is our 2023 IHMM certificant survey. Your feedback allows us to gather broad based information about the needs and preferences of our certificants that leads to improving our services and credentials.
Please take a few minutes and answer the 19 questions posed in this survey and help us improve our services.
Take the short survey here >> https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/IHMM2023
Top 4 Projects in February, 2023
NY Department of Labor rulemaking concerning the recognition of the CSHM and CSMP
Work with Eric Vega in Puerto Rico concerning credential recognition
Review of the Governor of Nevada’s Executive Order concerning licensing boards and potential for recognition of the CHMM
Scheduling meetings with the Maryland Congressional delegation concerning the Certified Pandemic Preparedness Specialist [CPPS] credential
In 2019 Mark Bruce from AHMP and Gene Guilford from IHMM worked on a project to get the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to recognize the CHMM and CDGT credentials. With Mark’s work on the ground in Pennsylvania, we succeeded.
- 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 2021 Mark at AHMP and Gene at IHMM has launched 45 in 5, getting the other 45 states to recognize our credentials in 5 years. If we can find a volunteer like Mark in other states [see above] we can work with those volunteers on crafting the right message to the right agencies in state governments across the country. If we find enough volunteers we can get this done in less than 5 years.
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
IHMM Scholarship Program
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/
IHMM CHMMⓇ 2022 Salary Survey
IHMM is pleased to release its 2022 salary survey for Certified Hazardous Materials ManagersⓇ [CHMMⓇ] across a broad range of position titles in the CHMMⓇ community of practice.
You may download the CHMM survey here.
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.
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IHMM – 26 Fellows Are Mentors
IHMM Fellows Committee Chair Atanu Das, CHMM, is leading the effort within the IHMM Collaboration networking platform to provide instruction to the more than 75 IHMM Fellows in becoming mentors.
Given the extraordinary experience Fellows have, this is a unique opportunity for IHMM Fellows to help guide more recent certificants in their professional development activities.
IHMM’s Collaboration platform contains a “Mentor Match” module [see below at right] that allows mentors to signup designating the hours, number of mentees, subject areas, and length of time they wish to mentor – as well as allowing mentees to signup requesting assistance in specified areas. The mentor match module does the rest by matching mentors and mentees.
#1 – Recertification Video
#2 Recertification Video
IHMM Recertification Videos
IHMM is pleased to release two YouTube instructional videos about navigating the IHMM recertification process. These step-by-step videos easily enable IHMM certificants to start and complete a recertification application.
While the full recertification cycle is 5 years, IHMM encourages all certificants to start a recertification application and add certification maintenance points as they are earned to make the final submission quick and easy to accomplish.
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 Margaret Toscano at [email protected] and she’ll be happy to help you.
National Safety Council
IHMM is a member of the National Safety Council and is pleased to bring this important information to all of our certificants.
NSC News
MSHA: Miner deaths decrease overall, but machinery-related fatalities up
Mental health resources and training ‘underutilized’ in civil construction industry: report
NIOSH asking firefighters to share health data for cancer research
MSHA offers safety info app in Spanish
Make time for ‘self-gifting’ to help manage work stress, researchers say
New for EMS/911 workers: infection prevention and control recommendations
NSC Webinars
February 16 – Temporary Worker Compliance: How the Regulations Impact the Host Employer and Staffing Agency
February 23 – Top 5 Actions Every Company Must Take When Applying AI to HSE
March 16 – Fall Prevention: Best Practices for the 3 Main Types of Hazards
March 30 – What to Expect from OSHA in FY 2023
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American Society of Safety Professionals
IHMM is a member of the American Society of Safety Professionals and is pleased to bring this important information to all of our certificants.
Registration Open – June 5-7, San Antonio
ASSP News
Episode 100: Assessing and Reducing the Amount of Waste Coming from Your Work Site
A WISE Mentoring Success Story: Michelle Arias
Disproportionate Impacts of Work
Q&A: What OSH Professionals Need to Know About DEI and Workplace Safety
SafetyFOCUS Can Fulfill a New Year’s Resolution
NIOSH Challenge Aims to Improve Respirator Fit Testing
Episode 98: OSHA Recordkeeping: What Safety Professionals and Employers Need to Know
ASSP Webinars
March 1 – Pandemic Challenges: How to Return to Work Safely
March 8 – Legal Framework and Workplace Best Practices for Infectious Disease Including COVID-19
March 2-30, 2023 – ONLINE COURSE: Safety Management I
March 2-30, 2023 – ONLINE COURSE: Safety Management II
March 3, 2023 – ONLINE COURSE: Enterprise Risk Management for Safety Professionals
IHMM GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
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Beltway Buzz – Ogletree Deakins
Biden’s SOTU, Part II. This week, President Biden delivered his second State of the Union (SOTU) address to a joint session of the U.S. Congress. (Over the years, the Buzz has been quite candid with our feelings about the annual political spectacle.) In a speech that many consider to have been a soft launch of his reelection campaign, President Biden took the opportunity to extol the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) proposed ban on noncompete agreements and urge Congress to pass the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, as well as paid family and medical leave legislation. Of course, it is highly doubtful that the Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives will be receptive to these legislative asks.
Walsh Walks (Skates) Away. Multiple media outlets have reported this week that Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh, who served as the “designated survivor” during the State of the Union address (i.e., Walsh, a member of the president’s Cabinet, was chosen to remain away from the proceedings to ensure continuity of government in the event of a catastrophe at the Capitol), will soon resign his position as labor secretary. Walsh will reportedly move back to his hometown of Boston, Massachusetts, where he will be putting on the foil to have a go at National Hockey League (NHL) owners and management as executive director of the NHL Players’ Association, the collective bargaining representative for all current NHL players. Deputy Secretary of Labor Julie Su—who will assume the role of acting secretary of labor with Walsh’s departure—will be left (at least temporarily) to navigate the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) through what is expected to be a busy year. The agency is preparing to finalize a permanent COVID-19 standard in the healthcare industry, as well as a revised test for independent contractor status under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Further, a proposal to change the FLSA’s implementing overtime rules is expected in May 2023.
Noncompete Update. The FTC’s recent foray into the noncompete policy waters continues to have ripple effects in Washington, D.C. Here is the latest:
- First, the FTC announced that it would hold a virtual public forum on its proposal to ban noncompete agreements on February 16, 2023, from noon until 3:00 p.m. EST. Described as a “supplement” to the Commission’s solicitation of public feedback on its proposal, the forum will consist of a “series of speakers who have been subjected to noncompete restrictions, as well as business owners who have experience with noncompetes.” The forum “will be webcast on the FTC’s website, transcribed, posted online, and included as part of the public record.”
- Second, a bipartisan group of federal lawmakers has reintroduced the Workforce Mobility Act in both the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives. The bill would ban noncompete agreements, which it defines as “an agreement … between a person and an individual performing work for the person, that restricts such individual, after the working relationship between the person and individual terminates, from performing—
(A) any work for another person for a specified period of time;
(B) any work in a specified geographical area; or
(C) any work for another person that is similar to such individual’s work for the person that is a party to such agreement.”
The bill contains exceptions in certain instances relating to the purchase of a business entity, the dissolution of corporate partnerships, and trade secrets. The bill gives enforcement authority to the FTC, DOL, and state attorneys general, and it allows for a private right of action. The bipartisan support behind the bill will perhaps provide this effort with a little bit of attention, though passing anything in this Congress will be a very challenging task.
OFCCP FOIA Objection Deadline Extended. If you are a federal contractor, Lauren Hicks has you covered on the continually evolving situation regarding the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Program’s (OFCCP) potential release of EEO-1 Type 2 (Consolidated) data pursuant to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. OFCCP has compiled a list of contractors that did not file objections to the agency’s release of EEO-1 data and is giving these contractors—in limited circumstances—a final opportunity to object to the release of this data. This final opportunity was recently extended, and objections must now be filed with OFCCP by February 17, 2023.
IRS Seeks Feedback on New Tip Reporting Program. On February 6, 2023, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued proposed guidance that would establish the Service Industry Tip Compliance Agreement (SITCA) program, “a voluntary tip reporting program between the IRS and employers in various service industries.” According to the announcement, “[t]he proposed SITCA program is designed to take advantage of advancements in point-of-sale, time and attendance systems, and electronic payment settlement methods to improve tip reporting compliance.” Participating employers would “receive protection from liability under the rules that define tips as part of an employee’s pay for calendar years in which they remain compliant with program requirements.” The program, which would not apply to the gaming industry, would be the sole tip-reporting compliance program for employers in the service industry and replace the following programs: the Tip Rate Determination Agreement (TRDA), the Tip Reporting Alternative Commitment (TRAC), and the Employer designed TRAC (EmTRAC). Stakeholders have until May 7, 2023, to submit comments on the proposed guidance.
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.
AT HMS/Rockville – FREE US DOT PHMSA HMIT GRANT HAZARDOUS MATERIALS REGULATIONS AWARENESS TRAINING WORKSHOP – BASIC – 24 IHMM CMPs
2023 PHMSA HMIT Grant 24-Hour DOT HAZMAT Regulations Awareness Course – BASIC – Rockville, MD
June 6 @ 8:00 am – June 8 @ 5:00 pm – FREE
Register Here > https://hazmatsociety.org/training/2023-phmsa-hmit-grant-24-hour-dot-hazmat-regulations-awareness-course-rockville-md/
AT HMS/Rockville – FREE US DOT PHMSA HMIT GRANT HAZARDOUS MATERIALS REGULATIONS AWARENESS TRAINING WORKSHOP – ADVANCED – 28 IHMM CMPs
2023 PHMSA HMIT Grant 28-Hour DOT HAZMAT Regulations Awareness Course – ADVANCED – Rockville, MD
June 13 @ 8:00 am – June 15 @ 5:00 pm – FREE
Register Here > https://hazmatsociety.org/training/2023-phmsa-hmit-grant-28-hour-dot-hazmat-regulations-advanced-course-rockville-md/
FREE US DOT PHMSA HMIT GRANT HAZARDOUS MATERIALS REGULATIONS AWARENESS TRAINING WORKSHOP – 24 IHMM CMPs
Courses are here> Go to https://hazmatsociety.org/education-training/ Under “Find Training,” Search for NPETE>
These workshops are offered with U.S. DOT PHMSA HMIT (Hazardous Materials Instructor Training) Grant support to the National Partnership for Environmental Technology Education (National PETE). This training is FREE for employees and federal, state, county, and local government employees involved in DOT HazMat Shipping, Receiving and Handling via Ground, Air, and Vessel Transportation.
The workshop curriculum is in accordance with 49 CFR § 172.704 for General Awareness, Function-Specific, Safety, and Security Awareness training requirements. Class size is limited to 10-15 students with mask/social distancing protocols, so act fast. Minimum of 6 attendees is needed to confirm the class.
Registration: Contact Mr. Raymond Davis, CHMM, IHMM Fellow, NPETE US DOT PHMSA HMIT Grant Project Coordinator/Instructor at [email protected]
Please provide Mr. Davis with the following registration information via email to [email protected]
Your name, Your company, Your company address/city/state/zip, Phone number, and Email
Upon receipt of your registration information, the address of the training location will be provided.
CHEMTREC, HMS Training Partner, Adds Courses for IHMM Certificants
CHEMTREC, an HMS training partner, has had 6 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 CHEMTREC, and thank to HMS’ Education and Training Committee.
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.
| Daily | EPCRA Tier II Reporting | Bowen EHS | Online |
| Daily | CHMM Online Review | Bowen EHS | Online |
| Daily | Emergency Management Self-Paced PDC | Bowen EHS | Online |
| Daily | Acute Toluene Exposure Webinar | Bowen EHS | Online |
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.
Florida Southwestern State College & IHMM
Hazmat Train the Trainer – March 6, 2023 to April 16, 2023
Course Length: Thirty (30) hours of guided coursework completed over 5-weeks (participants work independently on their own time, but must meet required, paced milestones).
Course Dates: March 6, 2023 to April 16, 2023
Course Description: Hazardous materials are everywhere and integral to life in the US, whether it’s the fuel for our cars, energy storage devices for our computers, paints or fire extinguishers to keep us safe. The global hazardous materials safety system depends heavily on the training of employees responsible for preparing, loading, unloading and transporting these commodities around the world. This course, coming soon to FSW, will provide tools and guidance on how to plan, develop and deliver a hazardous materials training program for your company’s employees.
Whether you are trying to improve your skillset for the job that you have, or trying to increase your capabilities for your next job, this course will help you play an integral role in the safe transport of goods around the world. In addition to hazmat general awareness training, this course will provide guidance on adult learning philosophies, course development tools and evaluating your company’s operations to meet the regulatory requirements for hazmat training.
Register > https://hazmatsociety.org/training/hazmat-train-the-trainer/
Easily Find Courses to Help You Pass IHMM Credential Exams
A core mission of HMS 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.
CDGP® Prep Course
CE-1112: CDGP® Exam Prep – Columbia Southern University – Available On Demand
CHMM® Prep Courses
Daily – CHMM® Online Review – Bowen
Daily – CHMM® Prep Course – Institute of Safety & Systems Management
Daily –Certified Hazardous Materials Managers (CHMM®) Exam Prep – SPAN Exam Prep, Division of ClickSafety
CSHM® Prep Courses
IHMM and HMS Tie Exam Preparation Together for Applicants
Every IHMM certification that requires an examination has a section of its website entitled Examination Preparation.
Connected to the Examination Preparation panel is a companion panel that is Find a Course to Prepare for the Exam.
You see the Find a Course to Prepare for the Exam panel from the CHMM site at left.
When you click on the Find a Course to Prepare for the Exam panel it takes the applicant directly to the HMS site where all CHMM prep courses may be found and chosen.
For the 397 CHMM applicants IHMM had on August 31, 2022, all 397 looking for CHMM prep courses could see and chose their favored CHMM exam prep course. If your course is not on the HMS platform, none of the 397 CHMM applicants could find you.
If you want your CHMM prep course on the HMS platform so it can be found by IHMM CHMM applicants, contact Gene Guilford at [email protected]
HMS Makes Finding Courses to Earn CMPs Easy
Every year more than 1,600 IHMM certificants have to recertify their credentials, evidenced their continuing commitment to improvement and learning to elevate their professional credential.
Earning Certification Maintenance Points [CMPs] is illustrated under Recertification of Your Credential, that includes the Recertification Claims Manual – Appendix A, that details all of the ways a certificant may earn CMPs > https://ihmm.org/recertification-claims/
Having mastered that manual, how does an IHMM certificant find courses to earn CMPs?
HMS has made that simple and easy.
- Go to https://hazmatsociety.org/education-training/
- Scroll down until you see a row of buttons…click on the CMPs button
The system will then generate all of the courses on the HMS E&T platform with IHMM CMPs already attached.
The next developments by the HMS E&T committee will refine available courses’ CMPs by individual credential!
HMS Certified Dangerous Goods Professional [CDGP] Exam Prep
The Columbia Southern University/HMS CDGP prep course is found here on the Hazardous Materials Society [HMS] education and training website > https://hazmatsociety.org/training/ce-1112-cdgp-exam-prep/2022-02-02/
The CSU CDGP exam prep course is delivered entirely online and may be initiated by any CDGP applicant at any time. The CDGP applicant has up to 10 weeks to complete the prep course, though an extension of the 10 weeks may be requested from CSU directly. The CSU CDGP exam prep course contains 8 modules covering the 4 principle texts involved in the CDGP exam, as follows:
- UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, and
- International Civil Aviation Organization’s Technical Instructions (ICAO TI), and
- International Air Transport Association’s Dangerous Goods Regulations (IATA DGR), and the
- International Maritime Organization’s Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code).
More information on the IHMM Certified Dangerous Goods Professional [CDGP] credential may be found here > https://ihmm.org/cdgp/
Applications for the 2023 HMS Scholarship Awards Now Open
The HMS scholarship award is given annually to undergraduate and graduate students whose academic program and research studies have the potential to address the most serious issues in handling hazardous materials, dangerous goods, environmental issues, health & safety challenges. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents enrolled in accredited U.S. academic institutions.
DEADLINE TO SUBMIT SCHOLARSHIP AWARD APPLICATIONS IS December 1, 2023. All submissions and associated materials must be submitted using the online form.
Scholarship Winners Will Be Announced at the HMS Annual Meeting.
For More Information, Visit > https://hazmatsociety.org/scholarship/
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.
RCM&D Professional Liability Insurance
HMS is proud to have partnered with RCM&D to be able to offer an outstanding comprehensive professional liability insurance program to IHMM certificants. Here, you will find information about this important program offering Environmental Consultants and Engineers Professional Liability coverage. This coverage is intended to add protection for loss stemming from actual or alleged negligent acts, errors and omissions in performing professional services.
For more information see > https://hazmatsociety.org/professional-liability-insurance/
Member Benefits of Hazardous Materials Society
99% of IHMM certificants are aware of the Hazardous Materials Society, which we appreciate. IHMM established the Hazardous Materials Society in order to support and provide services to IHMM certificants.
Did You Know?
Your company’s membership dues for Associate Membership in the Hazardous Materials Society (HMS) are 100% tax-deductible and your participation directly supports scholarship and education/training opportunities for professionals working in hazmat and EHS. Joining as an Associate Member expresses your commitment and your company’s leadership in giving back to our professional community. Join today to claim your tax deduction for the 2020 tax year while expressing your company’s professional affiliation and accessing tools for your marketing and business development plans.
As an IHMM certificant, you pay no dues to take advantage of IHMM’s Foundation at HMS. We do appreciate IHMM’s certificants encouraging their companies to contribute.
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.
A Collaborative Culture
There are 868 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]
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 2023
IHMM will attend and support a number of conferences and trade shows throughout 2023, virtually as well as in-person as resources allow. Below are some of the conferences IHMM will support in 2023.
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]
ASSP Greater San Jose and San Francisco Chapters Safety Symposium
San Ramon Marriott – Thank you Bart Miller for leading this effort
March 9, 2023
COSTHA Annual Forum and Expo
Embassy Suites by Hilton Dallas-Frisco Hotel & Convention Center
April 30 – May 24, 2023
National Safety Council Congress & Expo
New Orleans, LA
October 23-25, 2023
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. These events are produced independently of IHMM, and their providers have no access to IHMM certification examinations or program information other than that which is publicly available.
IHMM AFFILIATIONS
9210 Corporate Boulevard, Suite 470
Rockville, Maryland, 20850
www.ihmm.org | [email protected]
Phone: 301-984-8969 | Fax: 301-984-1516