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EPA’s Solvent-Contaminated Wipes Rule: What You Should Know

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Oily wipe and toolDo you frequently use washcloths or rags to wipe up oil, lubricants or other solvents in your workplace? If so, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) rule regarding solvent-contaminated wipes. It outlines the best practices for dealing with solvent-contaminated wipes, without negatively impacting human health or the environment.

Whether your workplace uses a single rag or dozens on a regular basis, it’s a good idea to follow the standards set forth in the EPA’s new rule.

What is a solvent-contaminated wipe?

Wipes containing one or more of the following chemicals are considered to be “solvent-contaminated”

  • Acetone
  • Isobutyl alcohol
  • Benzene
  • Methanol
  • n-Butanol
  • Methyl ethyl ketone
  • Chlorobenzene
  • Methyl isobutyl ketone
  • Creosols
  • Methylene chloride
  • Cyclohexanone
  • Tetrachloroethylene
  • 1,2-Dichlorobenzene
  • Toluene
  • Ethyl acetate
  • 1,1,2- Trichloroethane
  • Ethyl benzene
  • Trichloroethylene (*For reusable wipes only.)
  • 2-Ethoxyethanol
  • Xylenes

What’s The Purpose of The New Rule?

The purpose of the new EPA solvent-contaminated wipe rule is simple: to reduce the chance of environmental and/or human health problems related to rags, towels, wipes, mats, pads, and washcloths soaked with solvent chemicals. Since this rule was created by the EPA, it affects all companies in the U.S. With that said, some states may have their own rules and regulations regarding solvent-contaminated wipes.

Of course, a side benefit that comes from the new EPA solvent contaminated wipes rule is the cost savings it has on companies and employers. The EPA estimates that LQG facilities will save over $30,000 and SQG facilities will save over $,4000 per year thanks to the new rule.

Proper Storage of Solvent-Contaminated Wipes

One of the key points of the new rule involves proper storage of solvent-contaminated wipes. If a company uses a wipe containing one or more of the previously mentioned chemicals, they must designate a closed container specifically for storing them. The container must be liquid proof, have a tight-fitting lid, and labeled: “Excluded solvent-contaminated wipes.”

“Wipes must be accumulated, stored, and transported in non-leaking, closed containers,” said the EPA.

Move ‘Em Out!

Under this new EPA rule, all solvent-contaminated wipes must be disposed within 180 days. Companies are free to store solvent-contaminated wipes on site for up to 180 days, at which point they must be properly disposed by a professional waste removal business.

Note: the new EPA rule went into effect on January 31st, 2014.

Feel free to visit the EPA’s official website for more information including FAQs about the new solvent-contaminated wipes rule. While most of the rule focuses on storage and handling, there are some other elements that are worth noting.

Who Pays For Employees’ Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)?

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Dollar bill origami shirt

Dollar costs of PPE

Personal protective equipment (abbreviated PPE) is the collective term used to describe equipment worn by employees to reduce the chance of injury and illness. Some of the most commonly used types of PPE include rubber gloves, safety goggles, hardhats, earplugs, ventilation masks, respirators and welding helmets.

The official Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) website states the following in regards to PPE:

“All personal protective equipment should be of safe design and construction, and should be maintained in a clean and reliable fashion. It should fit well and be comfortable to wear, encouraging worker use. If the personal protective equipment does not fit properly, it can make the difference between being safely covered or dangerously exposed. “

After reading through the OSHA’s standards on PPE, you might be wondering who is responsible for footing the bill. After all, purchasing all of the previously mentioned equipment for dozens or even hundreds of employees can cost a pretty penny. So, does the employer pay for PPE or is the employee responsible for buying their own the PPE?

Employers Must Purchase Their Employees’ PPE

Yep, employers are now required to purchase their their employees’ PPE. On May 15, 2008, a new OSHA rule went into effect which requires employers to foot the bill for PPE. Before this time, it was up the employer whether or not they wanted to pay for PPE. The OSHA deemed that because it was a necessity for creating a safe workplace, employers should be responsible for buying their employees’ PPE.

The good news is that employers can write off PPE as a business expense on their taxes.

Can Employees Buy Their Own Personal Protective Equipment?

Technically, employees can still purchase their own PPE, but their employer is responsible for reimbursing the cost. It’s not uncommon for employers to hand out a list of PPE to their new employees, asking them to purchase the items on their own time. This is done to make the process of finding fitted items more easily. For instance, it’s obviously easier for an employee to purchase his or her boots rather than their employer. As long the employee keeps a receipt, they are entitled to reimbursement from their employer.

Note: if an employee buys their own PPE, the employer is responsible for checking to make sure it’s OSHA-compliant and falls within the standards set forth by the organization.

If you want to learn more, read our post about the different Levels of Protection For Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

EPA Seeks To Limit Carbon Emissions From Coal-Burning Plants

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Emissions from a power plantLast month, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a new rule which would limit the carbon pollution of new coal-burning power plants. EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy announced the proposed rule in Q4, 2013. However, it took officials several months to finalize the rule before making it available to the public. You can now access and view the new carbon emission rule proposed by the EPA at www.federalregister.gov.

What’s The Scoop?

The newly proposed bill requires all new coal-burning power plants to limit their carbon dioxide emissions to 1,110 pounds per megawatt-hour. According to some estimates, the average U.S. coal-burning power plant emits roughly 1,700 pounds of carbon dioxide per megawatt-hour, which is a substantial amount more than the limit proposed in the rule.

But the EPA rule doesn’t end with coal-burning power plants. Depending on their size, new natural gas power plants in the U.S. must limit their carbon dioxide emissions to 1,000-1,100 pounds per megawatt-hour.

It’s important to note that the proposed rule would only affect new coal-burning and natural gas power plants in the U.S. Any pre-existing plants in operation may continue to operate without limiting their carbon dioxide emissions. A coal-burning power plant that emits 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide per megawatt-hour may continue to do so, assuming it’s already operational. If the bill passes, however, all future coal-burning and natural gas power plants must follow these guidelines.

The EPA is accepting comments from industry workers and the public about the newly proposed rule until March 5 2014.

Why Some People Aren’t Backing The EPA’s Rule

If passed, the EPA rule would make it increasingly difficult for new coal-burning power plants to be built in the U.S. In order to legally operate under the new rule, coal-burning power plants must capture 20-40% of their carbon emissions and store it underground. This process, known as carbon capture and storage (CCS) is still in development and not ready for widespread use.

Some people are also concerned how the new rule will affect the coal industry in the U.S. By placing more restrictions on coal plants, it’s bound to have a negative impact on the number of jobs.

Senator John Barrasso said the following in regards to the EPA’s proposed rule:

“The EPA just announced another regulation that will increase poverty in coal country. In addition to contradicting current law, this new regulation will put more Americans out of work and make it even harder for people to provide for their families.”

How do you feel about the new EPA rule? Let us know in the comments section below!

Understanding The Impact of Ergonomics In The Workplace

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ergonomic render of a handErgonomics is a topic that’s oftentimes overlooked or misunderstood among employers. Whether your workplace is a typical office setting or an industrial factory, you should carefully analyze ergonomics to ensure workers are given a safe, healthy environment to perform their professional duties.

The term “ergonomics” literally translates from the Greek language into “work” and “laws,” which sums it up pretty well.

For a closer look at the impact of ergonomics in the workplace, and steps you can take to improve it, keep reading.

What is ergonomics?

So, what exactly is ergonomics? In short, it’s the science/relationship between a worker and his or her environment. The concept of ergonomics focuses on creating an ‘ideal’ work environment where physical stress is reduced. Physical stress in the workplace is typically caused by one of two different elements: environmental factors and employee motion. An example of an environmental factor is a poorly designed office chair which lacks lumbar support. An example of physical stress caused by employee motion is a worker bending their back (rather than their feet) to pick up a box or heavy object.

What are the risks of poor ergonomics in the workplace?

Allowing employees to work in an environment with poor ergonomics leaves them vulnerable to injury while reducing their overall efficiency and productivity. The truth is that most employers overlook the importance of ergonomics in the workplace. Yet, OSHA explain poor ergonomics can lead to work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) — which are among the most frequently reported causes of lost or restricted work time.

When employees are constantly stressed on a daily basis, their normal physical body functions gradually begin to decline. The same job they used to complete in an hour might take them an hour and a half now. And rather than showing up for their shift every day, they might call in sick once a month. It’s the subtle nuances such as this that really cut into companies’  revenue and ultimately their profits.

Another example of physical stress caused from poor ergonomics is when workers are forced to stand on hard concrete for long periods of time. This may not seem like an issue, but standing on hard surfaces for eight or more hours a day leaves workers vulnerable to a wide variety of injuries.

See the list below for some of the most common types of foot injuries and conditions:

  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Bunion
  • Bone fracture
  • Stress fracture
  • Sprain
  • Osteoarthritis

Rather than completely renovating your workplace with new flooring, you can lay out comfort mats in high-traffic areas to improve its ergonomics. These mats are designed to create a softer, more comfortable area where employees can safely work. Learn more about anti-fatigue mats in our previous blog post.

EPA Releases New Screening Data on 1,800 Chemicals

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data on a line graphEarlier this month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released tons of new data found in roughly 1,800 chemicals. These chemicals are used in everything from processed foods to laundry detergents, skincare products, and even over-the-counter drugs. The EPA’s goal in screening the 1,800 everyday consumer chemicals is to predict health concerns and risks associated with common household products.

“EPA’s use of cost effective advanced chemical screening techniques has transformed this country’s knowledge of the safety of almost 2,000 chemicals currently in use. Today’s release marks an important milestone in communicating and improving our understanding of the impact chemicals have on human health and the environment,” said EPA Office of Research and Development assistant administrator Lek Kadeli.

The EPA used robotics screening technology to test and gauge the 1,800 chemicals listed in their report. Tox21 is the codename given to the robotics technology used by the EPA, National Institutes of Environmental Health Sciences/National Toxicology Program, National Institutes of Health, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences and the FDA.

Thankfully, they identified just a fraction of the chemicals as “high risk” for illness and/or health concerns. Even with just a fraction of the chemicals found to be dangerous, however, the EPA’s testing could prove to be a real life-saver. It’s not something most consumers want to think about, but very few products are inspected for safety before being released into the market. It’s usually not until class action lawsuits arise that a company begins to cease production on a their product(s) containing harmful chemicals or ingredients.

So, how did the EPA use this information to predict health problems associated with nearly 2,000 chemicals? They actually took an innovative approach to this large-scale operation by releasing a challenge to the science and tech community. This challenge, known as the ToxCast Data Challenge, allows organizations, companies and individuals in the science community to freely access this EPA’s data to identify possible health concerns.

This isn’t the first time the EPA has invited outside science and technology organizations to utilize their data, and it probably won’t be the last. While the EPA is a massive federal body with nearly 17,000 employees working throughout the country, they simply don’t have the manpower or resources necessary to screen and analyze data on every chemical. In an effort to take some of the burden off their shoulders, the EPA frequently runs challenges like the ToxCast Data Challenge mentioned above.

EPA May Reduce Ethanol Requirements For 2014

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car exhaust pipe fumesWith the 2013 year drawing to a close, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is working hard to draft the ethanol requirements in next year’s Renewable Fuels Standard. Originally passed by Congress in 2005 and 2007, the Renewable Fuels Standard dictates the requirement for biofuels like ethanol in a given year. And while this number has steadily risen in the past nine years, there’s some belief that the EPA could change their stance by lowering the ethanol requirements for 2014. So, why would they want to lower the biofuel requirements? And what repercussions would this have on the fuel industry? To learn the answers to these questions and more, keep reading.

According to a leaked draft of the 2014 Renewable Fuels Standard, the EPA proposes to reduce the amount of ethanol produced in 2014 from its current amount of 18.15 to 15.21 billion gallons. If accurate, this is a substantial decrease that’s bound to draw some fire from biofuel lobbyists and companies. In fact, many professionals working in the biofuel industry have already begun to slam the EPA for reversing decades of hard work shifting the country towards renewable energy sources.

The petroleum industry has praised the EPA for taking steps to reduce the amount of ethanol in gasoline, claiming it’s a smart move that will benefit the entire country. However, a spokesman for the petroleum industry also stated that the reduction of biofuel in the leaked Renewable Fuels Standard proposal isn’t enough, and they hope to push the EPA to reduce the requirements even further.

Of course, there are two sides to every story. One of the biggest problems with biofuel is the potential it has for damaging automobile engines and mechanical parts. Unless the vehicle is modified specifically for biofuel, it can typically handle about 10% ethanol without suffering from any negative effects. Placing gasoline mixed with 11% or higher ethanol into a standard car will gradually wear down the engine and its surrounding components.

Another concern with ethanol along with other ‘biofuels’ is the impact it has on the environment. Some people assume that it’s a safe, environmentally friendly alternative to petroleum-based gasoline, but recent studies reveal the damaging impact it has on the land, water and environment. Farmers plow away millions of acres worth of corn to produce small amounts of ethanol, releasing massive amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. In addition, farmers are also using heavy chemical-based fertilizer to manage their crops, some of which gets washed down into streams and water supplies.

EPA Announces New Change To The TSCA

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Chemicals in a laboratoryLast week, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a major change to the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976. This change mandates that ALL companies manufacturing, importing or processing certain perfluorinated chemicals notify the EPA. Under this new TSCA change, companies must contact the EPA prior to engaging in activities involving the perfluorinated chemicals.

So, what kind of effects will this change have on the business dealings of companies? To learn more about this recent TSCA change and what to expect, keep reading.

Overview of The TSCA

The primary purpose of the TSCA is to create greater transparency between the EPA and companies dealing with potentially harmful or hazardous chemicals. According to the official EPA website, the TSCA “provides EPA with authority to require reporting, record-keeping and testing requirements, and restrictions relating to chemical substances and/or mixtures. Certain substances are generally excluded from TSCA, including, among others, food, drugs, cosmetics and pesticides.”

Here’s a brief overview of the EPA’s power through the TSCA

  • Require companies to send notice before manufacturing, importing or processing certain chemicals.
  • Require testing of certain chemicals before manufacturing, importing or processing.
  • Append the TSCA with Significant New Use Rule (SNUR) for newly discovered hazardous chemicals.
  • Add, remove and regular the list of 80,000+ chemicals on the TSCA list.
  • Require companies importing and/or exporting chemicals on the TSCA list must to comply with reporting.
  • Require companies to perform their own record keeping of chemicals in the TSCA list.

Latest TSCA Rule Change

This latest change made by the EPA to the TSCA falls under the category of a Significant New Use Rule (SNUR). As previously stated, this new rule is aimed towards companies who manufacture, import or process perfluorinated chemicals. In the past, only companies who manufactured perfluorinated chemicals themselves were required to notify the EPA. With this new rule change, however, even companies who import or process perfluorinated chemicals are required to submit a notice to the EPA.

Perfluorinated chemicals are typically used in the production and treatment of carpet. This new rule has drawn some criticism among carpet manufacturers and cleaning companies, as they are now required to legally run their businesses. But like all changes, companies will learn to adapt over time.

For a more in-depth look at the latest TSCA changes involving the use of perfluorinated chemicals, check out this article at Regulations.gov.

How The Recent Government Shutdown Affects The EPA

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hand holding a leaf

It’s official: the federal government has officially shut down for the first time in nearly two decades. While you’ve probably heard that most federal parks and attractions are closed as a result of the shutdown, a lesser-known but more important impact involves the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Whether your company directly deals with the EPA or not, you should be aware of the new changes incurred from the government shutdown.

According to some reports, the EPA will be hit the hardest from the government shutdown. With over 169 different facilities spanning throughout 50 states, the EPA is a massive organization that plays a key role in protecting public health and interest. As of 2013, they have  an estimated 16,204 employees working for them. Unfortunately, a significantly large portion of these workers will be forced to go home without pay.

So, how many EPA workers can expect to be furloughed? The EPA states that only essential personal whom are directly responsible for the public’s well-being will be allowed to show up for work. Of the agency’s 16,204 employees, this amounts to just 1,069 workers. The remaining 15,000+ are forced to go home without pay until further notice.

It’s important to note that non-essential EPA workers still play a key role in the public’s health. By sending them home due to a government shutdown, there’s a greater chance of accidents occurring. And to make matters worse, there’s no official date set for when these employees can get back to work. With both sides of congress playing a dangerous game of chicken, important organizations such as the EPA are getting caught in the crossfire.

To say the EPA is working with ‘limited’ resources now would be an understatement. They’re forced to prioritize spill sites to determine which ones pose an immediate threat to the public’s health. If there’s an on-site spill that’s not a direct danger, the EPA is forced to turn their head until for the time being. If left untreated, spill sites may continue to become more problematic, but the EPA simply doesn’t have the funds or manpower to handle them until the government is back in order.

For more information about these changes, read the official EPA contingency plan for a government shutdown. It’s a thorough 17-page document which outlines the agency’s plan in the event of a shutdown, which of course has already happened. The contingency plan covers everything from exempted activities to payroll access and shutdown implementation.

5 Important Tips For a Smoother EPA Inspection

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Person holding a clipboard in a warehouse

Is your business ready to face an EPA inspection?

Let’s face it, most companies don’t want to spend their valuable time and energy dealing with EPA inspections; however, it’s still a necessary task that ensures your company is compliant and abiding by all of the rules and regulations set forth by the EPA.

Whether you have an inspection planned in the near future or not, you should familiarize yourself with the tips listed below. Doing so will allow for a smoother, faster inspection process, which benefits both you and the inspector.

#1 – Label Your Chemicals

The EPA requires companies to label certain chemicals. If an inspector finds chemicals that aren’t properly labeled, the company could be fined. To prevent this from happening, go through your workplace to check and make sure all of the necessary chemicals are labeled. You can read more about properly labeling PCBs in a previous blog post, How to Correctly Mark PCBs.

#2 – Spill Response

Of course, companies need to have a response plan in place in the event of a chemical spill. Let’s hope you never have to use it, but having one in place shows the inspector that you are ready and prepared. Placing just a few basic spill kits throughout your workplace is oftentimes more than enough to maintain a high level of preparedness while remaining compliant in the eyes of an EPA inspector.

#3 – Communication

I can’t stress enough the importance of communication during an EPA inspection. Closing yourself off in the office will only make the inspection more difficult. Instead, communicate openly with the inspector. If they have any questions, answer them in an honest and friendly manner. The more cooperative you are during the inspection, the smoother it will go. Inspectors are more likely to go easier on you if you remain cooperative throughout the process.

#4 – Documentation

Keep records of phone calls, documents, letters, emails, and anything involving your company’s EPA inspection. It’s doubtful you will ever need this information, but having it on hand will give you the peace of mind of knowing that all of your ducks are in order. If another agency or court asks for certain documentation, you’ll have it readily available to provide them.

#5 – Let Your Employees Know

If your company is about to receive an EPA inspection, make sure you let all of your employees know. This will give them time to go back over the workplace to check and make sure everything is ready for the inspection. Ideally, it would be best if you gave your employees several days’ notice before an inspection.

More on EPA Inspection and Audits

You can learn more about the importance of conducting environmental audits in our previous post, or visit Audit Protocols on the EPA website.

Looking for supplies to help make your facility safer and comply with federal regulations? AbsorbentsOnline offers everything from absorbent pads and rolls to containment tanks and spill berms. We’re happy to help and are proud to have been offering excellent products and customer service since 1985.

EPA Issues Alert on Ammonium Nitrate

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seedlings growing in garden

Garden fertilizer contains ammonium nitrate

Are you aware of the risks Ammonium Nitrate may pose to your business?

Just weeks ago, the EPA issued a new alert on the storage of ammonium nitrate in an effort to increase the public’s awareness of its potential dangers. Ammonium nitrate is a nitrogen-rich compound that’s most commonly used in the production of garden fertilizer. Although it’s relatively safe when used correctly, it can lead to some pretty serious explosions and uncontrollable fires when exposed to heat. To better protect companies and individuals, the EPA teamed up with the ATF to issue this alert on the dangers of ammonium nitrate.

So, just how dangerous are ammonium nitrate fires? On April 17, 2013, the West Fertilizer Company’s storage and distribution factory caught fire. The town’s local firefighters were the first to respond, but unfortunately they were unable to put out the fire. Not long after, the plant exploded into a huge fireball, killing at least 15 and injuring 150 -160 more. This was one of the deadliest plant explosions in the history of Texas.

Investigators have yet to identify a cause for the West Fertilizer Company plant explosion. They’ve ruled out weather, rail car and natural causes, leaving some people to wonder if it was intentional. In any case, investigators believe the plant was storing more than the recommended maximum amount of ammonium nitrate. While the exact amount of ammonium nitrate is unknown, it’s believed there were around 28-34 tons of this compound on the premises. Once the fire reached the main supply of ammonium nitrate, it went up into a huge fireball, destroying the plant along with half a dozen or so nearby buildings and structures.

The EPA issued the alert on ammonium nitrate in direct response to this deadly Texas plant explosion. While there have been numerous other ammonium nitrate explosions in the past, this was by far one of the worst. The bottom line is that companies need to do a better job of storing and maintaining products containing this compound. Far too many people assume it’s safe since the toxicity of ammonium nitrate is relatively low. However, the real danger comes in the form of explosions and fires, which can be quite unpredictable.

For a complete breakdown of the EPA’s ammonium nitrate alert, check out the official PDF file located here. It’s broken down into several different categories, including “Problems,” “Accidents,” “Hazard Awareness,” “Process Safety Areas For Hazard Reduction” and “Information Resources.”

If you deal with ammonium nitrate in any way, shape or form, we recommended that you read through the EPA’s most recent alert.