IHMM Today March 1, 2022

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.

About 72% 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, CHMP, or CDGP exams or Kaylene Cagle at [email protected] for the CSHM or CSMP exams.

IHMM Microcredential Task Force Completing Pandemic Preparedness Blueprint

The IHMM Microcredential Task Force, chaired by Dan Blankfeld, CSHM, https://ihmm.org/microcredential-task-force/  is completing work on its Pandemic Preparedness credential blueprint in time for the March 25th Board meeting to review.

Last September 2021, the Biden Administration announced a $65.3 billion plan to improve the U.S.’s pandemic preparedness strategy in the midst of COVID-19 and as the country readies for any future biological threats.

The White House plans to funnel the $65.3 billion over seven to 10 years to invest in the country’s ability to respond “rapidly and effectively” to future epidemics and pandemics, as the current COVID-19 crisis has disrupted society and killed millions worldwide.

IHMM CSSS-CSSM Committee Completing the New CSSM Blueprint

The IHMM CSSS-CSSM Committee chaired by Mike Howe, CSSM, https://ihmm.org/csss-cssm-committee/ has completed its work on the new CSSM blueprint and released it to all CSSMs for final review prior to being sent to the IHMM Board for its March 25th Board meeting.

The CSSM and CSSS credentials had no blueprints under ISHM, and now both will have fully constructed blueprints, the CSSM being first. The Committee intends on turning to the CSSS credential as soon as the CSSM has been reviewed and approved and examination development is underway.

IHMM at the 2022 Ohio Safety Congress & Expo March 9-10, 2022

In 2022 OSC22 will feature a premium lineup of online learning sessions and a newly enhanced digital expo. The OSC is the largest free workplace safety conference in the United States.

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.

This virtual conference is found here > https://www.ohiosafetycongress.com/

IHMM brings you the premier environmental credential in the nation, the Certified Hazardous Materials Manager [CHMM] credential > https://ihmm.org/chmm/  an Environmental Professional under 40 CFR Sec 312.10, focusing on the most significant statutory authorities of the US EPA – and – the Certified Safety and Health Manager [CSHM] credential > https://ihmm.org/cshm/ focusing on workplace safety and health and compliance with DOL/OSHA authorities.

IHMM’s virtual booth is staffed from 9.00 am to 2.00 pm on Wednesday, March 9th, and Thursday, March 10th. Follow the link above to the Main Lobby, where you can then visit with IHMM.

CDC Drops Masking Requirements for Most Healthy Individuals

On February 25, 2022, the Centers for Disease Control updated its mask guidance on February 25, 2022, dropping public indoor mask recommendations for the majority of groups of individuals.

The CDC’s new guidance reflects a shift in the way the agency is analyzing data to determine mitigation strategies. The agency’s goals are to direct efforts toward protecting high-risk individuals and preventing COVID-19 from overwhelming healthcare systems.

See > https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/about-face-coverings.html

Are You Ready for a Global Stage? [In Person or Virtually]

April 4-6, 2022, Sheraton Charlotte Hotel, Charlotte, North Carolina

EnviroSummit is a global conference with international presentations in the morning on the main stage, and breakout sessions for Remediation, Vapor Intrusion, Air Quality, and Wastewater in the afternoon. The 2022 Global EnviroSummit is a conference with a mission of evaluating the different approaches for “Accelerating Trends and Advancing Technology” in the environmental industry. There will be speakers from around the globe that will address some of the environmental challenges they face in their country. There will also be speakers from the EPA, ITRC, and other government agencies.

IHMM has between 1.30 pm and 5.00 pm on April 6, 2022, to deliver 4, 45-minute presentations on Wastewater Technologies. These 4 presentations should highlight specific projects done by a CHMM involving wastewater and include a narrative lasting 30 minutes that focuses on everything from permitting to technology and construction and results.

IHMM has one presentation at 1.30 pm locked in with Rich Cartwright and seeks three individuals who are willing to each make presentations in person[though remote delivery can be arranged], in Charlotte on April 6, 2022, at 2.15 pm for 45 mins, 3.30 pm for 45 mins, and finally 4.15 pm for 45 mins.

Interested? This allows the CHMM to bring to a global audience the technical capabilities of your work and that of your company in handling challenges involving wastewater management.

Contact: Gene Guilford at [email protected]

Creating the Water Workforce of the Future: Webinar Series

Developing the Digital Water Workforce of the Future

March 8, 2022

2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time

Register Here

The water system operating environment is evolving to incorporate various technological advancements. There is a growing need to attract, train, and retain water protection specialists with a high degree of technological competence – and the ability to make data driven decisions based on up-to-date and accurate information using technology. Meeting this need will require creative and inclusive workforce approaches to ensure the utility’s workforce is an integral part of the utility’s technology development and deployment strategy. This will help staff be comfortable and fully able to understand and implement new technologies– i.e., “bought in”.

Catherine Curtis from the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission will discuss how BAYWORK’s helps utilities navigate the technology journey. Shane Zondor from Ft. Worth Water will explain their utility’s technology strategy and how they found ways to ensure their workforce is engaged and supported throughout the process.

Attendance is free! Please register here:

https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_S5ZnvnOLTQCgoDYm8USSNg

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

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

NPDES BASIC PERMIT WRITERS’ COURSE

Virtual Guided Learning

March 10 – April 21, 2022

Registration Information

The U.S. EPA is pleased to announce the opening of registration for the the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Basic Permit Writers’ Virtual Guided Learning Courses starting on March 10, 2022, with separate morning and afternoon sessions running for six weeks.

The objective of this course is to provide the basic regulatory framework and technical considerations that support the development of wastewater discharge permits required under the NPDES program. The course was designed for permit writers with about six months to two years of experience in the NPDES program, but experienced permit writers wanting a refresher course and other water program staff wanting to learn more about the NPDES program also are welcome.

The 6-week course will begin on Thursday, March 10, 2022. Each week, participants will have assigned “homework” consisting of NPDES online modules and permit exercises. These modules and exercises will then be discussed in a live virtual classroom setting on Tuesday and Thursday of each week. Participants will have the opportunity to join live office hour discussions with instructors and other participants each Tuesday as well. The course is scheduled to conclude on April 21st, however, a “rain date” of April 26th should be reserved by the participants in case of technical issues.

Microsoft Teams will be utilized for the virtual classroom and can be accessed through the desktop application or a web browser. Course materials will be provided electronically on the Microsoft Teams classroom site for download by the participants prior to the start date. Participants should anticipate a time commitment of approximately 8-10 hours per week.

As a foundational course, the training does not address in detail specialized topics such as industrial and municipal stormwater, concentrated animal feeding operations, and pesticide discharges. For more information on these specialized topics, please visit EPA’s NPDES website at www.epa.gov/npdes

Course Schedule and Logistics

A separate morning session and afternoon session are available for this course offering. Please see the registration page for each session for the actual agenda with dates and times.

There is no cost for the course. Registration is limited and available at:

NPDES Permit Writers’ Course – Virtual Guided Learning March 2022 (AM)

NPDES Permit Writers’ Course – Virtual Guided Learning March 2022 (PM)

Following registration, an email with further instruction will be provided.

For any questions related to this announcement, please contact Sean Ramach at [email protected] or (202) 564-2865.

FREE US DOT PHMSA HMIT GRANT HAZARDOUS MATERIALS REGULATIONS AWARENESS TRAINING WORKSHOP – 24 IHMM CMPs

Courses are here> https://hazmatsociety.org/education-training/?tribe_paged=1&tribe_event_display=list&tribe-bar-date=2022-01-24&tribe-bar-search=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.

Global DGR Survey: Key Takeaways From DG Professionals

IATA recently partnered with Labelmaster and Hazardous Cargo Bulletin to gather feedback on the level of confidence most DG professionals have about their dangerous goods shipments across the globe.

The objective of this survey was to outline if most dangerous goods professionals are confident that their shipments are compliant, and follow the industry regulations and best practices.

Here are the key takeaways that were found after analyzing the results:

• Dangerous goods professionals found that despite the range of supply chain challenges, their organizations managed the pandemic reasonably well

• Many dangerous goods professionals are confident that things are getting back to normal. 37% said that things are already back to normal, while 29% said that things will be back to normal within the year

• Despite positive sentiment, DG pros are signaling there are still critical organizational issues to be addressed. The most pressing being organizational awareness and infrastructure (50%), training curriculum that meets goals and supports remote learning (46%), harmonized regulations and interpretations (44%), and DG technology (42%)

Read The Survey Results

2022 National Safety Stand-Down for Fall Prevention

This year’s annual National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls will be held May 2-6. Visit the campaign webpage for updates.

As a reminder, anyone who wants to prevent hazards in the workplace can participate in the Stand-Down. Companies can conduct a Safety Stand-Down by taking a break to have a toolbox talk or another safety activity such as conducting safety equipment inspections, developing rescue plans, or discussing job specific hazards. Consider planning a socially/physically distanced stand-down that works for your workplace. See Highlights from the Past Stand-Downs.

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.