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Tuesday, November 1, 2022
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IHMM Certifications Matter
Validate your knowledge and experience. It’s how professionals stay on top of their field
Trust, respect and confidence are earned with a CHMP® credential. The rigorous testing proves your mastery in the secure and proper handling of hazardous materials earning you a premier distinction that is respected by colleagues and rewarded by management. Corporations, universities, and government agencies depend on the CHMP credential to identify these accomplished professionals.
It’s how you differentiate yourself
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 47 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.
2022 IHMM Board of Directors Election – Voting Closes Friday Nov 4th
On Monday, October 3, 2022, the Institute of Hazardous Materials Management began its 2022 elections for the IHMM Board of Directors for 3 seats with service beginning January 1, 2023. IHMM’s Nominating Committee began soliciting candidates for three seats on March 8, 2022, and continued in every Tuesday edition of IHMM Today through June 28, 2022. The three seats up for election in 2022 are [1] seat for a CDGP, [1] seat for a CSHM, and [1] seat for At-Large, which can come from a CHMM, CDGP, CHMP, CSHM, or CSMP.
The election will run from Monday, October 3, 2022, through Friday, November 4, 2022.
At Large Candidates
[On the ballot you vote for 1 of the following]
Bennett, Stephen M., CSMP. Read more about Stephen here.
Breton, Gerard A., CSMP. Read more about Gerard here.
Kasanicky, John, CSMP. Read more about John here.
Rehlander, Matthew, CSMP. Read more about Matthew here.
Sharratt, Ryan B., CHMM. Read more about Ryan here.
St. Peter, Shawn, CSMP. Read more about Shawn here.
Winning, Erika, CHMM. Read more about Erika here.
Certified Safety and Health Manager [CSHM] Candidates
[On the ballot you vote for 1 of the following]
Rosenberg, Jan, CSHM. Read more about Jan here.
Certified Dangerous Goods Professional Candidate [CDGP].
[On the ballot you vote for 1 of the following]
Schmelczer, Ivan, CDGP. Read more about Ivan here.
NOTE: When you receive your IHMM Election Buddy email with a unique key and access to your 2022 Board of Directors Ballot, vote for one person in each of the 3 categories above. One CDGP, one CSHM, and one At Large.
Thank you for participating in the 2022 IHMM Board elections on Monday, October 3, 2022, through Friday, November 4, 2022.
Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS)
OSHA will conduct a virtual public meeting on November 16, 2022 in advance of the 43rd session of the United Nations Sub-Committee of Experts on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (UNSCEGHS) and several other international meetings to gather comments and information for consideration prior to the meetings. Specific information about the UNSCEGHS and other international meetings will be posted when available on the OSHA website at https://www.osha.gov/dsg/hazcom/hazcom_international.html#meeting-notice.
Individuals may submit comments November 6 through December 6, 2022 identified by Docket No. OSHA-2016-0005, electronically at https://www.regulations.gov. Please see the Federal Register Notice for additional details.
Chemicals, through the different steps from their production to their handling, transport and use, are a real danger for human health and the environment. People of any ages, from children to elderly, using many different languages and alphabets, belonging to various social conditions, including illiterates, are daily confronted to dangerous products (chemicals, pesticides, etc.).
To face this danger, and given the reality of the extensive global trade in chemicals and the need to develop national programs to ensure their safe use, transport and disposal, it was recognized that an internationally-harmonized approach to classification and labelling would provide the foundation for such programs. Once countries have consistent and appropriate information on the chemicals they import or produce in their own countries, the infrastructure to control chemical exposures and protect people and the environment can be established in a comprehensive manner.
Read more > https://unece.org/about-ghs
State Officials Warn Of Ongoing Capacity Shortages For PFAS Disposal
More than a year after EPA offered options to ease what the waste industry called an “incineration capacity crisis,” state waste officials are warning that ongoing capacity shortages for PFAS and other hazardous waste disposal in incinerators, as well as for solid waste disposal in landfills, are not ending any time soon, particularly for smaller, containerized waste.
“The issue continues, it hasn’t been resolved,” Paula Bansch, an official with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management and outgoing hazardous waste subcommittee chair at the Association of State & Territorial Solid Waste Management Officials (ASTSWMO), told the group’s annual meeting in Arlington, VA, Oct. 20.
In particular, industry says it has “been at a tipping point for years” regarding incinerator capacity for smaller containers, she said.
The ongoing concerns come after the Environmental Technology Council (ETC), which represents companies that recycle, treat and dispose of industrial and hazardous wastes, in 2021 asked EPA for regulatory relief to address what the group called an “incineration capacity crisis.”
In response, EPA’s waste office issued a memo to its regions laying out a series of options under existing Resource Conservation & Recovery Act regulations that could be taken, such as state and regional offices granting time extensions to allow facilities to store hazardous waste longer than regulations allow without an authorized extension.
–Inside EPA
Top 10 OSHA Violations of 2022
Falling down on the job seems to be a perennial workplace issue, as does failing to provide adequate fall protection, because for the 12th year in a row “fall protection – general requirement” is the most cited standard violation, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA). Patrick Kapust, deputy director of OSHA’s Directorate of Enforcement (DEP), presented preliminary data at the recent National Safety Council show in San Diego, reflecting violations occurring from October 1, 2021, to September 6, 2022. (The tally includes only federal OSHA data; data collected from state OSHA agencies is not included.)
All of the violations on this year’s list also appeared on the previous year’s list, although there was a good deal of shifting up or down the rankings. While fall protection kept its grip on the top spot, last year’s # 2 violation (respiratory protection) dropped to # 3, while last year’s # 5 violation (hazard communication) jumped to the # 2 spot. The slide show that follows indicates both this year’s ranking as well as noting last year’s.
Read more > https://www.ehstoday.com/standards/osha/media-gallery/21252495/top-10-osha-violations-of-2022?utm_source=OZ+EHS+Today+Daily+Update&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS221030012&o_eid=4898I3034234I6I&rdx.ident[pull]=omeda|4898I3034234I6I&oly_enc_id=4898I3034234I6I
EPA Seeks Tougher Lead Rules With Final Strategy Poised For Release
EPA is toughening its approach to revise lead rules as the agency is on the brink of releasing its final strategy to reduce lead exposures, seeking ways to incorporate environmental justice (EJ) considerations into future rulemakings and setting the stage for revised guidance on lead contamination in soil.
Carlton Waterhouse, deputy director of EPA’s Office of Land and Emergency Management (OLEM), announced that EPA’s “Final Strategy to Reduce Lead Exposures in U.S. Communities” will be released soon during the Association of State and Territorial Solid Waste Management Officials’ (ASTSWMO) annual meeting on Oct. 20, and told Inside EPA after his speech that it has left interagency review.
The strategy is designed to support an EPA-wide, whole-of-government approach to focusing lead exposure reduction efforts on underserved communities. New measures on the agenda include adopting a collaborative approach to lower lead levels at Superfund sites, and specifically looking at overburdened communities where disparities in children’s blood levels persist due to local contamination.
While Waterhouse did not give a timeline for releasing the strategy, EPA’s website notes that Oct. 23-29 is National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, and the agency is already using that event to highlight efforts it is taking to reduce lead exposures.
The most recent draft strategy, released last October, focuses on reducing exposures across media — from paint, dust, soil and air — and includes enhanced enforcement and compliance assurance measures.
EPA Poised To Release Lead Strategy, Teeing Up Revised Soil Cleanup Guide
EPA is poised to release its final strategy to reduce lead exposures, especially in environmental justice communities, after it recently cleared interagency review, setting the stage for the development of revised cleanup guidance that is expected to drive additional investigation and remediation at hundreds of thousands of sites with lead-contaminated soil.
–Inside EPA
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
CEQ Pushes To Sink Environmentalists’ NEPA Rule Suit On Argument’s Eve
On the eve of oral arguments, the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) is stepping up efforts to dismiss environmentalists’ challenge to the Trump-era National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) rule, citing a recent appellate ruling finding that GOP states lack standing to challenge the Biden administration’s interim social cost of carbon (SCC) metric.
In an Oct. 24 notice of supplemental authorities, CEQ told the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit that the 8th Circuit’s ruling in Missouri v. Biden finding that GOP states lack standing to challenge the SCC means that environmentalists similarly lack standing to challenge the NEPA rule because both measures do not by themselves have any effect until they are applied to a specific agency action.
However, environmentalist plaintiffs in the NEPA case, WildVirginia v. CEQ argue in their Oct. 25 opposition that the SCC case, over interim numbers the administration set to monetize climate change regulations, has no impact on the challenge here.
The dueling notices to the court come on the eve of Oct. 26 oral arguments where environmentalists are appealing a federal district court ruling dismissing their case as unripe.
Environmentalists across the country filed multiple challenges to CEQ’s 2020 NEPA rule, which dramatically scaled back what federal agencies must consider when conducting NEPA reviews of their major actions under the bedrock environmental disclosure law.
WildVirginia is the only one to have reached a decision in a district court.
–Inside EPA
EPA’s Industrial Stormwater Sector-Specific Fact Sheet Stakeholder Meetings
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is hosting a series of public meetings in Fall 2022 to inform updates to EPA’s industrial stormwater fact sheet series. Last updated in 2006, EPA developed a fact sheet to provide guidance to each of the 29 industrial sectors covered under the Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP), which authorizes stormwater discharges from industrial activity in areas where EPA is the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting authority. Each fact sheet describes the types of facilities included in the sector, typical pollutants associated with the sector, and types of stormwater control measures used to minimize the discharge of the pollutants. These resources are an important part of EPA’s industrial stormwater program to assist facilities in managing their stormwater discharges. The industrial stormwater fact sheet series is used by a variety of other stakeholders, including facilities covered under state industrial stormwater permits and other industry groups.
Since industries and stormwater control measures may evolve over time, EPA is undertaking an effort to review and update the fact sheets. In January 2022, the Agency published a Federal Register Notice seeking written comments on the fact sheets. EPA received many valuable comments, as well as input that highlighted areas in need of further clarification and interest in continuing the dialogue with EPA on these resources. In response to this request, the Agency will be hosting a series of public meetings focused on certain industrial sectors to hear more about stakeholders’ individual real-life experiences with industrial stormwater management. Through these meetings, EPA would also like to engage those stakeholders who may not have had the chance to submit comments to attend and share their thoughts.
EPA is particularly focused on hearing stakeholder’s input on: common activities, pollutant sources, and associated pollutants at facilities in these sectors; and stormwater control measures or best management practices, including source control and good housekeeping/pollution prevention measures for potential pollutant sources at facilities in the sector.
A personal invitation from EPA’s industrial stormwater permit writers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7NinMa1hB8
Fall 2022 Industrial Stormwater Fact Sheet Meetings:
- Water Transportation and Ship and Boat Building and Repair Yards (Sectors Q & R) Stakeholder Meeting
- November 2, 2022, 1pm-2:30pm EDT
- Register
- Rubber, Miscellaneous Plastics, and Miscellaneous Manufacturing (Sector Y) Stakeholder Meeting
- November 9, 2022, 1pm-2:30pm EST
- Register
Please register and join the discussion! Attendance at each one of these meetings is worth 1.5 IHMM CMPs
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.
Sponsored content
IHMM – 26 Fellows Are Mentors | Where are the Mentees?
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.
Atanu and Gene exchanged information about this program on 10/3 and while we are grateful for the 26 Mentors – We Have No Mentees! No one could use help?
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.
California Withdraws SIP After Faulting EPA Over Lack Of Civil Rights Guide
PHMSA – A Fast and Low-cost Method to Automate Detecting, Locating, and Mapping Internal Gas Pipeline Corrosion using Pig-mounted Thermal and Stereo Cameras
Los Angeles City Council reconsiders waste dumping law
‘Forever Chemicals’ Persist Through Wastewater Treatment, May Enter Crops
Migrating Birds Attracted by Light Pollution Face Higher Toxic Chemical Exposure
Tire Particles Can Impact Fresh Water
Wastewater Treatment Plants Can ‘Catch a Cold’
Significant New Use Rules on Certain Chemical Substances (22-2.5e)
Ambient Air Monitoring Reference and Equivalent Methods; Designation of One New Equivalent Method
Notice of Availability of Draft NPDES Small Wastewater Treatment Facilities General Permits Modifications
Certain New Chemicals; Receipt and Status Information for September 2022
Forty-Second Update of the Federal Agency Hazardous Waste Compliance Docket
EPA Enforcement Actions Help Protect Health of Vulnerable Communities from Lead Paint Hazards
Minimizing Risks to Permitting and Compliance Associated with Increased Focus on Environmental Justice
Patient-Centered Sustainable Health Care: An Introduction
Ozone Nonattainment “Bump-up” in Connecticut: Is your facility about to get bumped into more stringent air regulations?
EPA Holds Second Webinar for TSCA New Chemical Engineering Outreach Initiative
Prop 65 PFAS Notices Increasing In Number
Current Developments and Trends in PHMSA Inspections and Enforcement
Minimizing Risks to Permitting and Compliance Associated with Increased Focus on Environmental Justice
Environment, Health and Safety Compliance Checklist
Handle Emergencies on Your Worksite Before They Happen
WOTUS and Wetlands With SCOTUS Again
Determining the ROI of Safety: Why Data Matters
TSA Awards Hazmat Contract to Leidos
HazMaTON: Transforming Hazardous Materials Transportation
Pipeline safety agency asks for input on using electronic hazard communication
North Georgia businessman sentenced to prison for dumping hazardous waste
Chemical safety board releases final reports, updates
Taking Steps to Prevent Workplace Violence
White Paper: 5 Essential EHS Elements
ASSP Wants to Look at Education Through a New Lens
Podcast – EHS Accidental Safety Pro
EPA awards $14.5M to nonpoint source management in four states
#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.
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.
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
Michigan OSHA launches emphasis program targeting heat hazards
‘So little information’: Researchers point out lack of work-injury data on Indigenous people
OSHA advisory committees to meet in November
Researchers to look for link between stunt work and CTE
FMCSA requests input on possible changes to ELD regulations
New for firefighters: A guide for talking with doctors
NSC Webinars
November 3 –Forklift Compliance: Inspection Requirements, Training and FAQs
November 10 –Big Ambitions, Complex Data and Limited Visibility: How EHS and ESG Professionals Are Dealing with Today’s Evolving Challenges
November 17 – Seven Secrets for Successful Safety Incentive Systems
December 1 – OSHA Training for General Industry: Reviewing the Elements for Select Topics
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.
IHMM GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
Sponsored Content
Beltway Buzz – Ogletree Deakins
DOL Extends IC Proposal Comment Period. On October 25, 2022, the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Wage and Hour Division announced an extension of the public comment period for its proposal to amend the independent contractor (IC) regulations under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Comments were originally due by November 28, 2022, which is the Monday following the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Interested stakeholders now have an additional fifteen days—until December 13, 2022—to submit comments. Buzz readers may recall that a federal judge ruled that the DOL’s previous attempt to reverse the Trump-era independent contractor rule was improper, in part, because the agency did not provide a meaningful opportunity for the public to comment on its proposal.
NLRB to Pursue Interim Relief. National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo continues to fine-tune the agency’s use of injunctions under Section 10(j) of the National Labor Relations Act. On October 20, 2022, Abruzzo issued a memorandum encouraging NLRB regional directors to attempt to obtain interim relief while a 10(j) case continues to unfold. According to the memo, “if efforts to settle the entire administrative case are unsuccessful, charged parties will be given the opportunity to voluntarily agree to an interim settlement that includes remedies, such as reinstating alleged discriminatees or agreeing to bargain, pending final resolution of the administrative case by the Board.”
Out With the Old, in With the New (Employee Rights Poster). The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has made changes to its required workplace poster, now entitled “Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.” Dee Anna D. Hays and Zachary V. Zagger have an analysis of the changes, which include the addition of easier-to-understand language, a QR code that helps employees file EEOC charges, and a clarification that it is unlawful to discriminate on the basis of pregnancy and related conditions, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Importantly, the EEOC made revisions to the poster the day after the initial announcement, so employers may want to confirm that they have the most current version. According to the agency’s frequently asked questions (FAQs) guidance, there is no specific deadline by which employers need to replace the previous “EEO is the Law” poster with the updated “Know Your Rights” poster—only that the swap-out must happen “within a reasonable amount of time.”
Second Union Rejects Freight Rail Deal. There was more news this week concerning the ongoing labor dispute between freight rail carriers and the unions that represent their employees. The tentative agreement negotiated in mid-September between the carriers and union leaders suffered an initial blow when one of the unions voted down the deal. This week, the Brotherhood of Railway Signalmen became the second union to reject the deal. Four more unions will vote in the coming weeks, with the last vote currently scheduled to occur on the Monday before Thanksgiving, when the holiday shopping season really kicks into high gear. While there is still time to avoid a national freight rail strike in the midst of the holiday season, these setbacks are not putting anybody at ease.
Democrats Push for End of the Year Tax Bill
A group of 51 Democratic lawmakers wrote to House leaders this week urging them to pass a year-end tax bill during the upcoming lame duck session that reinstates the enhanced Child Tax Credit.
The New Democrat Coalition letter also calls for tax relief for research and development expenses for American businesses.
“As economic leaders in Congress, New Dems are urging House leadership to ensure that we move both the enhanced Child Tax Credit and the R&D tax credit fix in any end of year package,” said New Democrat Coalition Chair Suzan DelBene. “Both policies are essential to strengthening our economy, and we should get both across the finish line before the end of the year.”
The election outcome, namely whether Republicans are able to gain control of the House and/or Senate, will likely influence lawmakers’ appetite for negotiation on additional tax relief. The research and development tax credit is an area for potential bipartisan agreement, but Democrats probably need to retain the House and pick up a seat or two in the Senate to reinstate the popular expanded child tax credit enacted as part of the American Rescue Plan Act last year.
The universal charitable deduction of $600 for married couples filing jointly and $300 for individual taxpayers expired at the end of 2021, but there is also interest in reinstating the deduction for all of tax year 2022. The universal charitable deduction would likely be part of a package of short-term tax extenders that Congress would consider this fall.
Professional Certification Coalition [PCC] Accomplishments for 2022
Professional certifications strengthen American workers, industries, and professions, and benefit consumers. The Professional Certification Coalition (PCC) advocates for policies that promote certification programs, certified professionals, and all who rely on the expertise and experience demonstrated only through professional certification. IHMM is a member of the PCC and is pleased to publish the accomplishments of the PCC and its 100+ member organization in 2o22 and our agenda for 2023.
Read the 2022/2023 Accomplishments and Agenda here.
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.
Easily Find Courses to Help You Pass 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
Nov 30-Dec 1, 2022 – CHMM® Prep Course – PTP Consulting
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 2022 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, 2022. 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 808 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
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