Autobody Shops Should be Aware of Environmental Refresher Training Requirements

In 2008, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) finalized the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Paint Stripping and Miscellaneous Surface Coating Operations at Area Sources (40 CFR Part 63, Subpart HHHHHH). This rule, commonly known as 6H, imposed new requirements upon all autobody shops in the country with the goal of reducing the emissions of hazardous air pollutants into the environment. Under one of the provisions of the 6H rule, autobody shop owners had to provide initial training and certification for all spray equipment operators by their applicable compliance date in either July 2008 or January 2011 or within 180 days of a new hire. In addition, the rule requires that the spray equipment operators receive refresher training and certification every five years. Shops can provide their own in-house training program that must include hands-on and classroom instruction addressing:

• Spray gun selection, setup and operation.

• Spray technique to improve transfer efficiency.

• Booth and filter maintenance.

• Environmental compliance with rule. 

It is important to note that a painter's work experience or a combination of work experience and training could be used to satisfy the initial training requirements, however, only training may be used to satisfy the refresher training requirements.

The USEPA has provided a video that can be viewed to fulfill the environmental compliance portion of the training requirements. The video can be found at: http://www.epa.gov/collisionrepair/training.html.

The Illinois Small Business Environmental Assistance Program (SBEAP) also provides resources to assist you in implementing a training program for your shop. An Owner/Operator Certification for Painter Training Form, Training Program Checklist & recordkeeping tools as well as other compliance information can be found  here. 

Shops that are not interested in implementing an in-house training program may want to inquire with their paint and/or equipment suppliers about possible training opportunities they may offer.
  

The Illinois Small Business Environmental Assistance Program is located in the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) to alleviate small business' fears of the environmental enforcement agencies. Located in the DCEO's Office of Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Technology the SBEAP serves as a free, confidential, and non-regulatory resource to small business owners to help them understand and comply with state and federal air pollution regulations. For more information about the program visit our website at: www.ildceo.net/enviro.

If you have any questions about these or other environmental requirements please call the Illinois Small Business Environmental Assistance Helpline at 800-252-3998 or by email at DCEO.SBEAP@illinois.gov.