July is already over.  Before you know it the kids will be returning to school and the leaves will be dropping off the trees.  The EHS regulations don't follow seasonal cycles however.  For most of us, the busiest time of year is the first six months when many annual reports are due.  Before too much more time slips by, be sure you receive your annual EPA Hazardous Waste Personnel and your triennial DOT HazMat Employee training updates.

I am not sure if I agree with the conclusions of this study's author.  However, as someone whose business depends on other companies compliance with the regulations, I certainly hope it's true.  In my years of experience (see my resume) working with the regulated industry I have found regulatory compliance to be a not insurmountable barrier to profitability.  The key is early identification of what is required by the regulations.  Only then can a facility take the necessary steps towards compliance. Unfortunately, the government doesn't come to your door and hand you a list of what is required (unless of course it is after an inspection and serious fine$ are due).  That is why regular training by a variety of sources is helpful.  Not only does it fulfill regulatory requirements of its own, but if it's good training you will come away with answers to questions you didn't know to ask.

These changes will be authorized by the US EPA as of August 22nd 2011 unless adverse comments were received as of July 22nd.  The changes are to printing specifications and may change the appearance of the manifest you use, but not any of your regulatory requirements as a generator of hazardous waste.  More about these changes and a brief history of the Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifest can be found here.

In my travels I have found more than a few facilities unaware of how state and federal regulations for the management of medical waste affect their facility. You may not think you generate any medical waste, but if one of your employees is a diabetic, you may find it beneficial to read on...

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (Region 2) announced July 11, 2011 an agreement with six entities to begin the first phase of the superfund cleanup of Newtown Creek in New York City.

You can view the full press release and several interesting links here. Superfund is the common name for the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) of 1980. This law was designed to create a mechanism and funding source for the cleanup of sites contaminated with hazardous substances. In many cases, such as this one, the contaminated site is a landfill or some other waste disposal site.  More...