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

1,533 different conversations are 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

1. IHMM has filed comments in the OSHA proposed Heat rule, underscoring IHMM’s commitment to bringing our SMEs expertise to an important public policy issue as well as highlighting the value of our certifications and those who hold them.
2. IHMM has filed comments on the OMB Inquiry concerning the EPA and DOL proposed regulatory measures concerning Methylene Chloride on December 13, 2024.
3. IHMM Sent a letter to the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, concerning the uses of professionally credentialed persons performing work for the Park Service.
4. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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

Day One Predictions. Monday, January 20, 2025, is Inauguration Day (as well as Martin Luther King Jr. Day). At the Buzz, we are well stocked with coffee and protein bars, as it is expected to be a busy day. We will obviously have a lot to discuss next week, but here are some policy issues that are on our radar.

• Immigration. This is obviously a priority issue for Republicans, and President-elect Donald Trump could issue multiple executive orders on the topic. For example, establishing new policies relating to the southern border, travel restrictions, temporary protected status, and “Buy American, Hire American,” could all be the subject of executive orders next week.
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). President-elect Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance, as well as other members of the incoming administration, have been critical of DEI. The Buzz expects an executive order targeting DEI offices and programs within the federal government that could also implicate similar programs for federal contractors.
• National Labor Relations Board. President Biden established a new precedent by firing former National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) general counsel Peter Robb on his first day in the White House. In turn, President-elect Trump is expected to fire the current National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) general counsel, Jennifer Abruzzo. Who will step up as acting general counsel in Abruzzo’s place remains to be seen.

Dates and Deadlines We Are Watching. Inauguration Day isn’t the only date we are watching here at the Buzz, and we already have our eyes on the following key dates and deadlines:

• OSHA—Proposed Heat Standard. As the Buzz noted last week, January 14, 2025, was the deadline for stakeholders to submit comments in response to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) proposed heat standard. The Buzz does not expect to hear much anytime soon about the fate of the standard under the incoming Trump administration. Of course, a final rule may never issue during the next four years, and it is possible that the new administration could issue a much narrower, more flexible version of the proposed standard at some point in the future.
• New provisions of the Biden administration’s H-1B modernization rule became effective on January 17, 2025.
• Subminimum Wage for Individuals With Disabilities. The comment docket for the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) proposal to eliminate the subminimum wage for individuals with disabilities closed on January 17, 2025. Former chair of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, Virginia Foxx (R-NC), has blasted the proposal as “misguided and irresponsible.”

Trump Nominates Employment Policy Veteran. This week, President-elect Trump announced that he will nominate Keith Sonderling as deputy secretary of Labor. Sonderling most recently served as commissioner on the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), where he led the Commission’s artificial intelligence policy efforts. Prior to his role on the Commission, Sonderling served as acting and deputy administrator of the DOL’s Wage and Hour Division. As such, Sonderling is well-attuned to the employment policy issues facing the business community.

Republican Senator Pushes Labor Reform. Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) is circulating a framework for labor reform legislation on Capitol Hill. The unusual move would codify some of the much-maligned labor reform ideas that both Democrats and labor union bosses have pushed over the last several years. While no legislation has actually been introduced, according to the framework that is being circulated, the bill would:

• require employers to post a notice of National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) rights. The NLRB tried doing this via regulation in 2011 (at the time, Hawley worked as both a law professor and an attorney at a religious nonprofit organization). The uproar from the employer community was incredible, and the regulation was struck down;
• prohibit “unsafe work speed quotas” in warehouses. This is taken from the ill-conceived Warehouse Worker Protection Act;
• prohibit mandatory employee meetings during which the pros and cons of unionization are discussed;
• require an “ambush election” in less than twenty days;
• require contract negotiations to begin within ten days after a representation election; and
• enact civil penalties, increased damages, and allow for a private right of action.

Even if a bill is introduced, its chances of passage in this congressional session are slim. Still, that a Republican senator from a state that voted twice for President-elect Trump is pushing such changes to federal labor law is a sign of the populist influence in today’s Republican Party.

OSHA Withdraws Proposed COVID-19 Standard. Three years and two days after the Supreme Court of the United States effectively put an end to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) COVID-19 vaccination and testing emergency temporary standard (ETS), OSHA announced that it is withdrawing its proposed COVID-19 rule (that would have been permanent, as opposed to temporary). A final version of the rule sat at the White House’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs since December 2022. In an accompanying press release, OSHA stated it withdrew the proposed rule “because the most effective and efficient use of agency resources to protect healthcare workers from occupational exposure to COVID-19, as well as a host of other infectious diseases, is to focus its resources on the completion of an Infectious Diseases rulemaking for healthcare.”

DHS Extends TPS. Late last week, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations for individuals from El Salvador (from March 10, 2025, to September 9, 2026), Venezuela (from April 3, 2025, through October 2, 2026), Ukraine (from April 20, 2025, through October 19, 2026), and Sudan (from April 20, 2025, through October 19, 2026). The secretary of Homeland Security can terminate TPS designations by providing notice in the Federal Register at least sixty days prior to expiration.

January ICC Compliance Bulletin

As we step into a brand-new year, we’re excited to bring you the January edition of our ICC Compliance Bulletin. This issue is filled with key updates and insights to help you navigate the ever-evolving landscape of dangerous goods regulations and set a strong foundation for compliance in 2025.

🔍 This Month’s Spotlights:

• “Dangerous Goods Blitz 2024” highlights the importance of proper training and adherence to shipping regulations, revealing that the top violations during the International Road Check included loading, placarding, and shipping papers, emphasizing the need for improved compliance to ensure safety and avoid fines.
• “IATA Exemptions for Lithium Battery Returns” highlights key provisions in the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations that simplify shipping lithium-ion and lithium metal batteries by post, allowing up to four cells or two batteries per package, ensuring easier and safer returns of electronic devices while adhering to safety standards.
• “Canada/US Variances under WHMIS and OSHA Hazard Communication” examines key differences between Canada’s WHMIS and the United States’ OSHA Hazcom regulations, highlighting areas such as supplier identifiers, bilingual SDS requirements, and labeling for bulk shipments to help businesses ensure compliance across both countries.
• “Transport Canada Training Guidance” outlines Transport Canada’s updated guidance on basic competencies for transporting dangerous goods, emphasizing training certification, shipping documentation, containment compliance, hazard marking, and emergency response to help businesses maintain safety and compliance.

Safe+Sound Week 2025 – August 11-17, 2025

Safe + Sound Week will be August 11-17, 2025. This year’s focus area is emergency preparedness and response. Stay tuned for more information!

Response-Ready Workplace Challenge

Workplace emergencies can happen at any time. It’s important for workers to be aware of emergency procedures and know what to do in case of an emergency. Are your workers familiar with your emergency action plan (EAP)?

Prepare for Safe + Sound Week 2025!  Take the Response-Ready Workplace Challenge.

1. Review your EAP.
2. Hold a toolbox talk or safety meeting to review your EAP.
3. Download your challenge coin.

Share that you took the challenge on social media using #SafeAndSoundAtWork and #ResponseReady.

Creating the Water Workforce of the Future: Webinar Series

The Water Tower: Leading the Way Through

Innovation and Collaboration

February 4th, 2025

12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time

Register Here

In today’s water sector, it is essential for utilities and industry professionals to collaborate, access vital training, and explore innovative technologies that address the challenges of 21st-century water services. A leading example of this collaboration is The Water Tower (TWT) in Gwinnett County, Georgia.

TWT is a first-of-its-kind nonprofit global water innovation hub for water and wastewater utilities, researchers, private companies, and water-related organizations to collaboratively solve critical, real-world water and environmental challenges.

Through applied research, technology innovation, workforce development, and industry engagement, TWT provides innovative solutions tailored to the water sector. A key focus is integrating and expanding skilled-trades programming to attract and develop a diverse, next-generation water workforce.

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

EPA Proposes Stormwater General Permits

Proposed 2026 Multi-Sector General Permit Out for Public Comment

EPA is seeking public comment on a proposed 2026 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP) for stormwater discharges from industrial activity. This proposed permit would replace the 2021 MSGP upon finalization. This proposed permit would cover stormwater discharges from industrial facilities in areas where EPA is the NPDES permitting authority.

EPA will take comments on the proposal during a 60-day comment period, which ends February 11, 2025. Comments must be received on or before February 11, 2025.

Proposed Modification to 2022 Construction General Permit (CGP)

EPA proposed a narrow modification to its 2022 Construction General Permit (CGP) to expand the list of areas eligible for coverage to include all Lands of Exclusive Federal Jurisdiction in the U.S. This modification is necessary because EPA is the permitting authority in Lands of Exclusive Federal Jurisdiction, and when the 2022 CGP was issued on February 17, 2022, the permit did not specifically provide eligibility for all of these areas.

EPA is seeking comment only on the proposed permit revisions and the accompanying fact sheet. Comments on the proposed modification are due by January 13, 2025.

For any questions related to this announcement, please contact [email protected] for MSGP-related questions and [email protected] for CGP-related questions.

BJA STOP Grantee Kick-Off Meeting

FY2024 STOP Grantees, join us on 1/23 from 2:00–3:00 PM ET for a live session with the BJA STOP Team and the NCSS. You will hear about the STOP program, key resources, and next steps for your grant. This is a great opportunity to get important information and ask any questions.

Register Here

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Federal Resources for Safer School-Based Active Shooter Drills

The U.S. Departments of Education, Health and Human Services, and Homeland Security have released new resources to help schools design and implement active shooter drills. These materials focus on improving preparedness while supporting the emotional well-being of school communities.

• The CISA K-12 Active Shooter Drills and Programs Landscape Assessment provides an overview of active shooter drills and programs used in U.S. schools, offering insights to support preparedness and align with the September 2024 Executive Order on improving school-based drills.
• The Active Shooter Drills Research: An Annotated Bibliography compiles key studies on the mental health effects of active shooter drills, highlights gaps in research, and includes prevention resources from HHS agencies, offering immediate insights while a more comprehensive review by NASEM is underway.

Considerations for Education Leaders in Preparing for Active Shooter Drills in Schools offers guidance to schools on designing and conducting active shooter drills that prioritize both physical safety and the mental well-being of students and staff.

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School Transportation Safety: Beyond the Bus Stop – Register Now!

Registration is open for “School Transportation Safety: Beyond the Bus Stop,” an essential session in the “Path to Safer Schools” series. This webinar delves into layered strategies to address both traditional and emerging challenges in school transportation, ensuring student safety and well-being beyond the bus stop.

Join us as experienced professionals explore key considerations, including:

• Supporting Student Behavior and Well-being: Creating a respectful bus culture, preventing bullying, and fostering calmer environments with quieter, non-combustible engines.
• Balancing Supervision and Privacy: Weighing the benefits of cameras on buses while ensuring accountability and privacy.
• Traffic Safety and Law Enforcement Collaboration: Enhancing stop-arm enforcement and improving arrival/departure procedures to minimize risks.
• Crisis Preparedness on the Move: Developing protocols for emergencies such as weather disruptions, crisis dismissals, and community threats.

Designed for school administrators, transportation directors, and safety professionals, this webinar provides actionable insights and evolving practices to enhance transportation safety.

Don’t miss out—REGISTER HERE

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An Interview with Michelle Rosales on the Los Angeles Wildfires

Since Jan. 7, wildfires have burned 40,000 acres in the Greater Los Angeles area and destroyed more than 12,000 structures. At least 25 people have lost their lives. Authorities in Los Angeles County declared a local health emergency. Recommendations for residents include using air conditioners that recirculate air and wearing an N95 or P100 filtering facepiece respirator when outside in smoky conditions for long periods of time.

Read more here.

• Guidance on Drinking Water Directive (DWD) published
• Assessment of regulatory needs report published
• Intentions to identify a substance of very high concern
• New intentions, proposals and withdrawals to harmonise classification and labelling

IHMM-HMS Professional Development