S/P2 Newsletter
September 2009
In This Issue
CCAR Surpasses 4 Million S/P2 Online Tests
OSHA, Red Cross Present Free Webcast on Preparing for Pandemic Flu
New EPA Video Promotes "Paint Rule" Compliance
CCAR Encourages Industry Participation in "Drug-Free Work Week"
EPA Offers Guidance in Choosing a Recycler
Greetings!
 
September 21-27 is "National Pollution Prevention Week." Individuals and organizations across the country are participating in activities focused on P2. Two leading participants are the National Pollution Prevention Roundtable and the U.S. EPA, and you're invited to click on the links for additional information.

The importance and value of P2 isn't limited to a single week of the year, and that's why CCAR continues to seek out new information and resources to assist you in preventing pollution at your business or school. We welcome your input and suggestions.

Regards,

DAREN FRISTOE
CCAR President & Chief Operating Officer
CCAR Surpasses 4,000,000 S/P2 Online Tests
CCAR recently announced that more than 4 million online tests have been completed in its S/P2 (Safety and Pollution Prevention) e-learning program since the fall of 2006.

S/P2 provides effective, easy-to-use, affordable training on environmental and safety concerns to every employee and student in the automotive repair industry. Designed to help reduce injury, illness and environmental impact, the courses target more than three dozen specific issues concerning for three different industry segments: mechanical repair, collision repair, and heavy-duty fleet maintenance.

"Following the introduction of S/P2 in 2002, there were 500,000 tests recorded in the first two-and-a-half years," according to Lin Peacock, CCAR Chairman and Senior Director, Insurance Plans and Programs for the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA). "Now, to have administered over 4 million tests in a period of less than three years is tremendously gratifying to everyone at CCAR. The need for awareness training in safety and environmental matters for the auto repair industry continues to grow, and CCAR is working to expand its availability."

Daren Fristoe, CCAR President and Chief Operating Officer, commented, "Given the recent tough economic times in our industry and beyond, we believe the significance of 4 million tests administered by CCAR cannot be overstated. The continuing strong user support for the S/P2 products is a validation of not only the products themselves, but also the efficiency and overall process of delivering online education to a mass audience. Focusing on consistency, compliance and content, S/P2 products have been recognized as a valuable resource for employees and students alike.

"We, at CCAR, are extremely proud of this accomplishment and are excited about the next 4 million tests!" Fristoe added.

For more information, visit www.sp2.org or call 1-888-772-3535.
OSHA, Red Cross Present Free Webcast on Preparing for Pandemic Flu
Through the OSHA and American Red Cross Alliance, the American Red Cross is hosting a no-cost, Nationwide Webcast, "Prepare Your Employees and Your Business for Pandemic Flu with Help from the American Red Cross and OSHA" on September 24, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
 
The purpose of the Webcast is to help participants:
  • Educate employees about how to prepare for and respond effectively to pandemic flu,
  • Aid in business sustainability in the face of pandemic flu, and
  • Learn about OSHA's new pandemic flu products and resources.
The Webcast's speakers are:
  • Jean Erdtmann, Director, Program Management and Field Support, Office of Preparedness and Health and Safety Services, American Red Cross
  • Gary Lescallett, Senior Industrial Hygienist, Office of Science and Technology Assessment, Directorate of Technical Support and Emergency Management, USDOL-OSHA
  • Ted Yee, Medical Officer, Office of Occupational Medicine, Directorate of Technical Support and Emergency Management, USDOL-OSHA  
For more information and to register for the Webcast, please go to: http://www.ohsonline.com/Webcasts/2009/08/Prepare-Your-Employees-and-Your-Business-for-Pandemic-Flu.aspx  
Collision Repair Campaign Logo New EPA Video Promotes "Paint Rule" Compliance
A free training video, featuring an introduction by NASCAR champion Jeff Gordon, is now available from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to familiarize collision repair facilities with the requirements of new "Paint Rule" regulations and how shops can achieve compliance before the 2010 deadline.

Jeff Gordon Video

The video was developed as part of the EPA's "Collision Repair Campaign," which serves to focus on meaningful risk reduction in the Collision Repair source sector to complement the agency's ongoing community air toxics work and attain reductions at a faster rate. The Campaign also serves as an opportunity for shops to work towards early compliance with the Auto Body Rule.

For a link to the training video, visit the Collision Repair Campaign home page.
Drug-Free Work WeekCCAR Encourages
Auto Repair Industry to Participate in "Drug-Free Work Week"
October 19-25 is "National Drug-Free Work Week," and the Coordinating Committee for Automotive Repair (CCAR) encourages all users of the S/P2 e-learning program to participate. The purpose of Drug-Free Work Week is to highlight that being drug free is key to workplace safety and health and to encourage workers with alcohol and drug problems to seek help.

Drug-Free Work Week is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor in coordination with members of its Drug-Free Workplace Alliance. This cooperative program, which represents both employer/contractor associations and labor unions, aims to improve safety and health through drug-free workplace programs. It focuses on the construction industry because research indicates that it has higher than average rates of worker alcohol and drug abuse - a serious concern given that it also is among the industries with the highest rates of workplace accidents and injuries. But because drug-free workplace programs benefit all workplaces, employers and employees in the auto repair industry are encouraged to take part in Drug-Free Work Week.

Read more...
Chat Live ImageS/P2 Customer Service Now Available by "Live Chat"

When you have a question or comment regarding the S/P2 e-learning program, you are welcome to:
  1. Call toll-free - 1-888-772-3535 - or
  2. E-mail - info@sp2.org

A third customer service option is now available - live chat during business hours.

To access this service, go the S/P2 home page and click on the "chat with us live" graphic. You may use this feature to leave a message after business hours (7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Central Time), and our staff will respond on the following business day.

You are also invited to review "Making S/P2 Work for You," which includes information on Frequently Asked Questions and a link to an online diagnostic tool to make sure you computer system has all the features needed to utilize S/P2.
EPA logo EPA Offers Guidance on Choosing a Recycler
Does your facility generate hazardous waste or other hazardous secondary materials that could be sent off-site for recycling? Are you interested in recycling, but unsure of what to look for in a recycler?

Check out "Choosing a Responsible Recycler: A Guide for Generators of Secondary Hazardous Materials," a new publication from the U.S. EPA. You can protect your business by choosing to recycle and by making sure that your materials are being recycled and managed responsibly.

You can also review a list of frequent questions on hazardous waste recycling on the EPA's web site.
Monrovia High School 2009Show Us Your S/P2 Certificates!
Calling all automotive instructors: We want to include a photo of your students with their S/P2 Certificates of Completion in upcoming issues of this newsletter.

As the new school year begins, we invite you to send us a group photo of your students when they complete their training. Attach your photo to an e-mail message and send it to newsletter@ccar-greenlink.org.
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