Automotive Service Councils of California

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

February 14, 2014

Time to Post 300A Forms

from The Armstrong Report, February 2014

Firms with 10 or more employees must maintain a Cal/OSHA 300 Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses during the year and record a summary on the 300A, which must be posted no later than Feb. 1. Make sure to provide the mandatory information, as the forms can be admissible in court proceedings. You must complete the summary page, even if no work-related injuries or illnesses occurred last year.

Get all the details of what you need to do here.

Mark Your Calendars! ASCCA/CAA Legislative Fly-in on April 30

California Autobody Association (CAA) is partnering with ASCCA for the 2014 Legislative Fly-In! Don't miss out on this opportunity to connect with others in the industy. Fill out this registration form and book your airfare. We're taking care of the rest - transportation from the airport, food, and the scheduling of legislative appointments. Please don't delay, space is limited! Reservations will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis. Past speakers have included: Chief, Bureau of Automotive Repair; Governor's Small Business Advocate, Governor's Economic Adviser; Chair, Select Committee on Career Technical Education & Workforce Development; Author AB2289 (Smog Check), Chair Senate Transportation & Housing Committee.

Registration Form here

Team Talk Topics Include Record Keeping and Employee Personnel Files

Things are changing rapidly and employers need to know what they can and can't do for the purpose of not being caught off guard. On the ASCCA's TeamTalk this week, Dave Fischer of Chapter 25 shared information on what types of records employers must keep regarding each individual employee. The information comes from the Legal Aid Society Employment Law Center of San Francisco.

Link to PDF of Information

OSHA Enforcement Activity is Surging

from The Armstrong Report, February 2014

In a sign of its stepped-up enforcement regimen, federal OSHA issued 55% more citations for the most-cited violations in 2013 than it did in 2012.

The workplace safety agency issued 45,238 citations for violations of the top 10 standards in 2013, compared to 29,179 for the same standards in the prior year.

OSHA has zeroed in on enforcement with higher citation classifications and enhanced penalties, a trend that's expected to continue under the Obama administration. Beside an increase in citations, the cost per violation has also been increasing during the last four years.

What are the most cited infractions and what areas are workplace safety agencies focusing on? Find out here.

EPA to Propose Eliminating Use of 134a in Vehicles

from AAIA Capital Report, February 10, 2014

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on Tuesday, Feb. 4 that they will soon issue a proposed rule that would eliminate the use of 134a as a refrigerant in new motor vehicles and as an aerosol in many consumer products. The action will be taken under the Significant New Alternatives Program (SNAP), which was established under the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments to evaluate the human health and environmental impact of substitutes for ozone-depleting substances that have been phased out of production. The agency is taking this action as part of the President Climate Action Plan, which aims to develop an "all-of-the-above" strategy for reducing emissions of greenhouse gases in the U.S.

According to the agency, a proposed rule will be issued this summer to withdraw approval for 134a for use in new motor vehicles and as an aerosol in consumer products. EPA pointed to the availability of substitutes for 134a in both motor vehicles and consumer products including 1234yf which was approved under SNAP for use on vehicles. EPA did clarify that the upcoming action will not impact the use of 134a in the servicing of motor vehicles already on the road. As part of the announcement, EPA did not specify a timeline for ending use of 134a, but stated that such action would be determined based on each specified use case.

Read more stories from the AAIA Capital Report

In This Issue

Time to Post 300A Forms

Legislative Fly-in on April 30

Record Keeping and Employee Personnel Files

OSHA Enforcement Activity is Surging

EPA to Propose Eliminating 134a

February Member of the Month Ken Breshears

Disassembling an Engine in 8 Minutes

February Member of the Month: Ken Breshears

ASCCA member Ken Breshears, of Keith's Auto Repair in Redding (ASCCA Chapter 99)

In his own words:

At 10 years of age my first job was detailing cars and working the pump island at my father's Chevron service station during the summer. Later, when he became the AAA towing contractor for Shasta County, I would help the drivers on snow days and help the technicians during the summer. In high school I found employment in a restaurant and became a sous chef by age 18. By age 20 for many reasons I returned to the family business, a high volume Chevron station with a busy back room repair business. I became the manager by the end of that first summer, in 1983. The automotive repair business was changing and I was excited to learn all aspects of the industry, such as customer service, business management, new technologies and much more.

In 1992 my father expanded and opened a general repair and smog check facility, Keith's Auto Repair. I was still running the service station with lube bays and food mart. In 1995 I was sent to run the shop and increase sales. The shop was relocated in 1997 and on May 1, 1999 my wife and I bought Keith's Auto Repair from my father.

In 2001 during a membership drive I was approached to join ASCCA. I had learned it was important to support associations that would look out for my interests and be my VOICE. Chapter 99 did a very good job of providing informational general meetings covering important topics including hazardous waste, Bureau of Auto Repair, workers comp, CC processing, business management, labor laws and much more. I found friendships that have been very beneficial. Those who are not a business owner can never truly relate to the issues that we deal with daily; it has been a great comfort to have a group of businessmen and women who can relate to this ever-changing industry.

In 2011 I was asked to become a board member, and reluctantly I agreed. Toward the end of that year our long-time chapter leader Steve Lustig became ill and I was asked to step in for a few months and organize a meeting or two. Steve was the one that made sure this chapter stayed together, and he is missed. I am presently in my third year as chapter president. I have a strong, stable board and continue to provide informative general meetings for our members.

The advice I would give to new members would be to take full advantage of our resources and members. Spending a little time once a month can help your personal and business life prosper.

How to Disassemble an Engine (in 8 Minutes)

At this year's NHRA Winter Nationals, drag racing mechanics took a piping hot engine fresh from the strip and tore it down to the bare block in just eight minutes.

See the video here

Thank You ASCCA Diamond Sponsors!

About Us

Founded in 1940, the Automotive Service Councils of California is the largest independent automotive repair organization in California. Its members represent all areas of the automotive repair industry, including mechanical, auto body, suppliers and educators.