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:
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Spray gun selection, setup and operation.
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Spray technique to improve transfer efficiency.
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Booth and filter maintenance.
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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.
Don't Forget! Annual Emission Reports Were Due May 1st!
All air permitted sources must file their Annual Emission Reports with the Illinois EPA annually. For more information about Annual Emission Reports and links to helpful online emission calculators, click here. (Facilities that just became eligible for the Registration of Smaller Sources (ROSS) program do NOT have to complete the 2014 report). If you have questions about completing your report please contact the Small Business Environmental Assistance Program at 800-252-3998
If you have questions about completing your report please contact the Small Business Environmental Assistance Program at 800-252-3998
2015 Governor's Sustainability Award - Application Process Open!
We are pleased to announce that the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC) is now accepting applications for the 2015 Illinois Governor's Sustainability Awards! This award, begun in 1987, is the nation's longest standing state environmental award program that annually honors organizations and businesses that have made a commitment to the environment through implementation of outstanding and innovative sustainability practices.
The deadline for submitting your application is close of business May 22, 2015. Applications will only be accepted electronically. Details and application information can be found on the ISTC website.
The award ceremony will be held this fall in Chicago. A technical symposium that acts as a forum for information exchange, education and networking opportunities will be hosted prior to the awards ceremony and luncheon.
This program is open to the public and we encourage you to forward this announcement to colleagues that may also be interested in participating. The ISTC would be happy to answer any questions you may have about the award application or assist you with the application process.
We'd also like to take this opportunity to remind you that ISTC's Technical Assistance Program is available to provide onsite environmental sustainability assistance. The ISTC works with organizations to identify process improvement opportunities to reduce waste and provide cost savings. There is no cost or obligation for the initial site visit. Please complete the on-line request form to schedule a visit from one of ISTC's technical assistance engineers.
For more information, contact Debra Jacobson, Senior Operations Manager at djacobso@illinois.edu, or call (217) 333-8940.
Illinois Updates
