This week marks the 15th annual Air Quality Awareness Week (May 3-7) with the theme being “Healthy Air – Important for Everyone.” Learn more about the daily topics and resources that can help you stay safe:
Monday – Wildfires & Smoke
Tuesday – Asthma & Your Health
Wednesday – Citizen Science & Sensors
Thursday – Environmental Justice Communities & Air Quality
Friday – Air Quality Around the World
And don’t forget to stay informed and stay educated.
It’s Earth Day 2021: A world-wide event developed to bring awareness and support for the protection of our natural environment. This year’s theme is ‘Restore Our Earth’ with a second Earth Day Live digital event on earthday.org starting at 12 PM ET. There, you can learn about virtual Earth Day activities and watch LIVE online for special messages and performances:
“Workshops, panel discussions, and special performances will focus on Restore Our Earth™ — we’ll cover natural processes, emerging green technologies, and innovative thinking that can restore the world’s ecosystems.
More topics will include:
Climate and environmental literacy
Climate restoration technologies
Reforestation efforts
Regenerative agriculture
Equity and environmental justice
Citizen science
Cleanups, and more.
World climate leaders, grassroots activists, nonprofit innovators, thought leaders, industry leaders, artists, musicians, influencers, and the leaders of tomorrow will come to push us towards a better world.”
Looking for a way to participate? Check out this helpful link to find your local in-person event. There are even digital events to find if you prefer an at-home option!
We celebrate this environmental movement and urge everyone to educate themselves on environmental compliance. You can help with the protection of our planet. Whether you’re one person, or leading a larger organization, there are ways to make a difference. Happy Earth Day!
Everyone can do their part. Learn how to stay environmentally compliant and make every day Earth Day!
“Hazardous waste violations at UCT facility in Bristol, Pa. result in $44,880 penalty
PHILADELPHIA (March 3, 2021) – Chemical manufacturer UCT will pay a $44,880 penalty to settle hazardous waste violations at its Bristol, Pennsylvania, facility, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today.
EPA cited the company for violating the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the federal law governing the treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste. RCRA is designed to protect public health and the environment and avoid long and extensive cleanups, by requiring the safe, environmentally sound storage and disposal of hazardous waste.
UCT manufactures a variety of chemical products at its facility at 2731 Bartram Road in Bristol. These include solid phase extraction products for hospitals, clinical and toxicology labs, food safety testing labs, pharmaceutical and biotech companies, and environmental testing facilities; and silane/silicone products used in the glass and fiber optic industries, medical device, cosmetics, paints and coatings, adhesives and electronics industries.
According to EPA, the company violated RCRA rules including storing hazardous waste for more than 90 days without a permit, failure to properly mark hazardous waste containers, failure to keep hazardous waste containers closed, failure to make waste determinations and failure to provide annual RCRA training.
Do you know the rules and regulations that can avoid violations like these? With our library of hazardous waste training, you can learn crucial topics like the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), hazardous waste determinations, HAZMAT federal laws, proper management, reporting and recordkeeping, preparing and responding to emergencies, and the differences between hazardous materials, hazardous substances, and hazardous waste.
Avoid violations before they happen. Visit our hazardous waste training now.
To view this press release in its entirety, click here.
https://envicomply.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Unknown.png225225mbrandthttps://envicomply.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Envicomply-ECATTS.pngmbrandt2021-03-03 11:17:072021-03-03 11:17:07Chemical manufacturing company to pay fines for hazardous waste violations
New training is here! You can now get certified in the state of West Virginia with our
UST Class A/B Operator Certification Program!
This course has been reviewed and approved by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) and successful completion of this training will award UST Class A/B operator certification in the state of West Virginia.
In this 9 module training program, you will learn critical compliance information required to perform your job as a certified UST Class A/B operator in the state of West Virginia. Module topics include:
UST Operator Training Requirements
State requirements
Operator responsibilities
Facility and training record requirements
Underground Storage Tanks
What tanks qualify as USTs
Common construction materials
Product compatibility and requirements
Tank venting
Secondary Containment
Sumps
Spill and Overfill Prevention
Correct filling practices
Spill prevention equipment and requirements
Overfill protection devices
Prevention requirements
Release Detection
Automatic tank gauging (ATG) systems and regulatory requirements
ATG monthly leak tests
Inventory control and common problems
Monitoring devices
Under-dispenser containment (UDC)
Release detection requirements
Spill detection inspections
Corrosion Control
Corrosion protection requirements
Cathodic protection, testing and recordkeeping
Interior lining
UST Financial Requirements
Demonstrating financial responsibility
UST financial responsibility categories
Required dollar amount of financial responsibility
Required scope of coverage
General recordkeeping/reporting requirements
When coverage is no longer necessary
Registration, Repairs, Temporary, and Permanent Tank Closure
Notification and storage tank registration requirements
When certified workers are necessary
Delivery prohibition programs
Closing a tank temporarily and permanently
Emergency Response
UST release response
Identifying and responding to suspected releases
Short and long-term actions
Spill containment materials
Steps to follow when responding to a petroleum spill
Spills reaching water
Large spills
Recordkeeping and Reporting
Importance of recordkeeping
Recordkeeping requirements
Plus much more!
Reduce your risk of noncompliance.
Get your West Virginia UST Class A/B Certification today.
https://envicomply.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/images.png200200mbrandthttps://envicomply.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Envicomply-ECATTS.pngmbrandt2021-02-24 11:34:172021-02-24 11:34:17NEW UST Training Just Added: West Virginia Certification Now Available!
Stormwater has many negative impacts causing erosion, damage, pollution and danger to wildlife. Proper knowledge of the rules and regulations, inspections and executing best management practices are important for safety and to avoid violations like these:
EPA settles with City of Pittsburgh, PWSA on stormwater violations
PHILADELPHIA (Feb. 5, 2021) – The City of Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) are required to adhere to a schedule of corrective actions to address stormwater inspection and enforcement violations under a consent agreement announced today by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Under the agreement, the city and PWSA are required to:
submit an updated stormwater code for approval to the Pittsburgh city council by July 2021;
hire additional inspectors and enforcement staff for 2022; and
put management partnership procedures in place by the end of January 2022.
The violations included failure to implement inspections and enforcement procedures for construction site erosion and sediment control measures, and for post-construction stormwater management best management practices.
The agreement requires the city and PWSA to comply with a schedule of activities to ensure full compliance with these requirements by March 31, 2022 and to submit quarterly progress reports to EPA. EPA coordinated with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection in developing the settlement.
https://envicomply.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/aca66c4e391dcca8c391f89920b49f6e.png600600mbrandthttps://envicomply.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Envicomply-ECATTS.pngmbrandt2021-02-05 10:37:522021-02-05 10:37:52Stormwater violations lead to settlement for City of Pittsburgh & PWSA
Now – 2/8, SAVE 10% on ALL your Environmental and Safety Compliance Training! Certification, awareness and preparatory courses available in both individual modules and full multi-course packages.
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Company settles with $344,364 penalty for violations of Risk Management Plan requirements at its petroleum refining facility. Read more from the release below:
Big West Oil, LLC resolves chemical risk management violations at North Salt Lake facility
Company corrects Clean Air Act deficiencies to reduce risk of accidental release of flammable mixtures and hydrofluoric acid
SALT LAKE CITY – (January 14, 2020) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced a Clean Air Act settlement in which Big West Oil, LLC (Big West Oil) has agreed to pay a $344,364 penalty and address violations of Risk Management Plan requirements at its petroleum refining facility in North Salt Lake, Utah. The company has been cooperative in correcting all identified deficiencies and has also agreed to improve the maintenance of process equipment to reduce the possibility of an accidental release of hazardous chemicals at the facility.
“This agreement will improve the safety of those who live and work in North Salt Lake for years to come,” said EPA Region 8 Enforcement Director Suzanne Bohan. “Big West Oil has taken the necessary steps to improve the management of flammable mixtures and hydrofluoric acid at their facility and reduce the hazards of toxic chemicals to workers, the public, and the surrounding community.”
The settlement, filed as a Consent Agreement on January 13, 2021, resulted from a 2016, EPA inspection at the Big West Oil facility that revealed several Clean Air Act Risk Management Plan violations related to the management of flammable mixtures and hydrofluoric acid; including deficiencies associated with process safety information, hazard analysis, mechanical integrity, and operating procedures.
This case is part of EPA’s National Compliance Initiative to reduce risks from chemical accidents, and it addresses compliance within an industry sector– petroleum refining – which can pose serious risks from such accidents. Following recommendations made by the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board in April of 2019, EPA Region 8 is focused on ensuring compliance with the Risk Management Plan Rule at petroleum refining facilities that store and process hydrofluoric acid.
The Big West Oil facility is subject to Clean Air Act Risk Management Plan regulations because it stores and processes large quantities of flammable mixtures and hydrofluoric acid, a hazardous substance that is highly toxic, and when released to air, may cause severe injury, burns, or death. The Risk Management Plan Rule, or Section 112(r) of the Clean Air Act, requires facilities holding more than 10,000 pounds of flammable mixture or 1,000 pounds of hydrofluoric acid to develop a Risk Management Plan and submit that plan to EPA.
Risk Management Plans address: the proper design and maintenance of equipment such as pipes and vessels; emergency preparedness; and the ability to minimize releases that may occur. They also provide valuable information to local fire, police, and emergency response personnel to prepare for and respond to chemical emergencies. Making these plans available to the public also fosters communication and awareness to improve accident prevention and emergency response practices at the local level.
https://envicomply.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/violations.jpg500500mbrandthttps://envicomply.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Envicomply-ECATTS.pngmbrandt2021-01-15 11:51:122021-01-15 11:51:12Risk Management Violations Lead to Settlement for Oil Company
https://envicomply.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/11.jpg480852mbrandthttps://envicomply.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Envicomply-ECATTS.pngmbrandt2021-01-01 10:04:532021-01-01 10:04:53Happy New Year!
Company faces big settlement with EPA and two separate states over violations of the Clean Water Act’s Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) and Facility Response Plan (FRP) requirements.
Koppers Inc. settles with EPA for alleged oil spill prevention violations in West Virginia, Pennsylvania
PHILADELPHIA (Nov. 19, 2020) – Koppers Inc. has agreed to settle with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the state of West Virginia and the state of Pennsylvania to resolve alleged violations of federal and state environmental laws at its facilities in Follansbee and Green Spring, West Virginia, and Clairton, Pennsylvania, EPA announced today.
A complaint filed with the settlement agreement cited violations of the Clean Water Act’s Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) and Facility Response Plan (FRP) requirements. The SPCC rules help facilities prevent a discharge of oil into navigable waters or adjoining shorelines. The FRP rules require certain facilities to submit a response plan and prepare to respond to a worst-case oil discharge or threat of a discharge. Koppers is a Pittsburgh-based company involved in carbon materials and chemicals, railroad products and services, and performance chemicals.
Under a proposed consent decree filed in the United States District Court of the Northern District of West Virginia, Koppers will pay $800,000 to the United States, $175,000 to West Virginia, and $24,500 to Pennsylvania. The proposed consent decree is subject to a 30-day public comment period.
The complaint also cited violations of the West Virginia Above Ground Storage Tank Act and its implementing regulations, which seek to protect and conserve the water resources of the state and its citizens. In addition, the complaint cited violations of the Pennsylvania Storage Tank and Spill Prevention Act and its implementing regulations, which set forth tank handling and inspection requirements.
According to EPA, the most significant violations were at the Follansbee facility – notably, deficiencies in the facility’s secondary containment for spills, and inadequate structural integrity inspection and testing of aboveground tanks.
EPA cited other major SPCC violations at the Clairton and now-closed Green Spring facilities, and other violations of the FRP regulations at the Clairton and Follansbee facilities.
In addition to the penalty, the consent decree requires Koppers to conduct integrity testing of specified tanks at the Follansbee site, or take them out of service; and to comply with SPCC and FRP reporting and plan amendment requirements.
Knowing proper SPCC rules and regulations can help avoid settlements like these. Maintain your compliance by getting the training you need before violations happen. Check out our SPCC training now:
Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures (SPCC)
Topics covered include:
What a Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) plan is
SPCC training requirements and goals
What types of oils are covered by the SPCC program
Spill prevention and planning requirements
Ways to prevent or minimize the potential for spills
What are secondary containment and diversionary structures
Operations, equipment, and processes which have a potential to cause a spill
Basic spill response expectations
How to respond to an emergency involving serious injury
How to response to a non-emergency spill
Reporting incidental shop spills
Reporting requirements
Accidental sewage discharges
What to do if you discover an underground storage tank (UST) leak
Secondary containment system drainage procedures
Fuel delivery and grease trap pumping best management practices (BMPs)
https://envicomply.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/oil-spill-response.png5601160mbrandthttps://envicomply.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Envicomply-ECATTS.pngmbrandt2020-11-19 11:11:592020-11-19 11:11:59SPCC & FRP violations lead to big settlement for Pittsburgh-based company
It’s Air Quality Awareness Week
/in News /by mbrandtThis week marks the 15th annual Air Quality Awareness Week (May 3-7) with the theme being “Healthy Air – Important for Everyone.” Learn more about the daily topics and resources that can help you stay safe:
And don’t forget to stay informed and stay educated.
Check out our Air Quality Awareness Training and learn about:
Learn more now!
Air Quality Awareness Training
Happy Earth Day!
/in News /by mbrandtIt’s Earth Day 2021: A world-wide event developed to bring awareness and support for the protection of our natural environment. This year’s theme is ‘Restore Our Earth’ with a second Earth Day Live digital event on earthday.org starting at 12 PM ET. There, you can learn about virtual Earth Day activities and watch LIVE online for special messages and performances:
Find out more details directly on earthday.org
Looking for a way to participate? Check out this helpful link to find your local in-person event. There are even digital events to find if you prefer an at-home option!
We celebrate this environmental movement and urge everyone to educate themselves on environmental compliance. You can help with the protection of our planet. Whether you’re one person, or leading a larger organization, there are ways to make a difference. Happy Earth Day!
Everyone can do their part. Learn how to stay environmentally compliant and make every day Earth Day!
Chemical manufacturing company to pay fines for hazardous waste violations
/in News /by mbrandtDo you know the rules and regulations that can avoid violations like these? With our library of hazardous waste training, you can learn crucial topics like the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), hazardous waste determinations, HAZMAT federal laws, proper management, reporting and recordkeeping, preparing and responding to emergencies, and the differences between hazardous materials, hazardous substances, and hazardous waste.
Avoid violations before they happen. Visit our hazardous waste training now.
To view this press release in its entirety, click here.
NEW UST Training Just Added: West Virginia Certification Now Available!
/in Announcements /by mbrandtNew training is here! You can now get certified in the state of West Virginia with our
UST Class A/B Operator Certification Program!
This course has been reviewed and approved by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) and successful completion of this training will award UST Class A/B operator certification in the state of West Virginia.
In this 9 module training program, you will learn critical compliance information required to perform your job as a certified UST Class A/B operator in the state of West Virginia. Module topics include:
Plus much more!
Reduce your risk of noncompliance.
Get your West Virginia UST Class A/B Certification today.
And be sure to check out our catalog of all UST state-certified and preparatory training programs:
Stormwater violations lead to settlement for City of Pittsburgh & PWSA
/in News /by mbrandtStormwater has many negative impacts causing erosion, damage, pollution and danger to wildlife. Proper knowledge of the rules and regulations, inspections and executing best management practices are important for safety and to avoid violations like these:
Read the full article on EPA’s site here.
Check out our catalog of Stormwater courses and learn critical information to stay compliant and avoid violations.
Topics include:
Learn more about Stormwater training now:
SAVE 10% ON ALL COMPLIANCE TRAINING NOW – FEB 8!
/in Announcements /by mbrandtNow – 2/8, SAVE 10% on ALL your Environmental and Safety Compliance Training! Certification, awareness and preparatory courses available in both individual modules and full multi-course packages.
Use code 10%4U.
START YOUR 2021 COMPLIANCE TRAINING NOW AND SAVE!
Risk Management Violations Lead to Settlement for Oil Company
/in News /by mbrandtCompany settles with $344,364 penalty for violations of Risk Management Plan requirements at its petroleum refining facility. Read more from the release below:
Big West Oil, LLC resolves chemical risk management violations at North Salt Lake facility
Company corrects Clean Air Act deficiencies to reduce risk of accidental release of flammable mixtures and hydrofluoric acid
SALT LAKE CITY – (January 14, 2020) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced a Clean Air Act settlement in which Big West Oil, LLC (Big West Oil) has agreed to pay a $344,364 penalty and address violations of Risk Management Plan requirements at its petroleum refining facility in North Salt Lake, Utah. The company has been cooperative in correcting all identified deficiencies and has also agreed to improve the maintenance of process equipment to reduce the possibility of an accidental release of hazardous chemicals at the facility.
“This agreement will improve the safety of those who live and work in North Salt Lake for years to come,” said EPA Region 8 Enforcement Director Suzanne Bohan. “Big West Oil has taken the necessary steps to improve the management of flammable mixtures and hydrofluoric acid at their facility and reduce the hazards of toxic chemicals to workers, the public, and the surrounding community.”
The settlement, filed as a Consent Agreement on January 13, 2021, resulted from a 2016, EPA inspection at the Big West Oil facility that revealed several Clean Air Act Risk Management Plan violations related to the management of flammable mixtures and hydrofluoric acid; including deficiencies associated with process safety information, hazard analysis, mechanical integrity, and operating procedures.
This case is part of EPA’s National Compliance Initiative to reduce risks from chemical accidents, and it addresses compliance within an industry sector– petroleum refining – which can pose serious risks from such accidents. Following recommendations made by the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board in April of 2019, EPA Region 8 is focused on ensuring compliance with the Risk Management Plan Rule at petroleum refining facilities that store and process hydrofluoric acid.
The Big West Oil facility is subject to Clean Air Act Risk Management Plan regulations because it stores and processes large quantities of flammable mixtures and hydrofluoric acid, a hazardous substance that is highly toxic, and when released to air, may cause severe injury, burns, or death. The Risk Management Plan Rule, or Section 112(r) of the Clean Air Act, requires facilities holding more than 10,000 pounds of flammable mixture or 1,000 pounds of hydrofluoric acid to develop a Risk Management Plan and submit that plan to EPA.
Risk Management Plans address: the proper design and maintenance of equipment such as pipes and vessels; emergency preparedness; and the ability to minimize releases that may occur. They also provide valuable information to local fire, police, and emergency response personnel to prepare for and respond to chemical emergencies. Making these plans available to the public also fosters communication and awareness to improve accident prevention and emergency response practices at the local level.
Click here for more on the article.
Reduce your risk of violations with the proper compliance training.
View all of our available training courses now and steer clear from unwanted violations like these.
Happy New Year!
/in Announcements /by mbrandtWishing all our Envicomply clients & friends a
happy & healthy New Year.
Here’s to a successful 2021 together!
Best Wishes from Envicomply
/in Announcements /by mbrandtSPCC & FRP violations lead to big settlement for Pittsburgh-based company
/in News /by mbrandtCompany faces big settlement with EPA and two separate states over violations of the Clean Water Act’s Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) and Facility Response Plan (FRP) requirements.
For the full article, visit EPA’s site here.
Knowing proper SPCC rules and regulations can help avoid settlements like these. Maintain your compliance by getting the training you need before violations happen. Check out our SPCC training now:
Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures (SPCC)
Topics covered include:
Be sure to check out all of our other training courses, too.