Center for Industrial Services

In this issue ...

1. METALWORKING FLUIDS BEST PRACTICES NOW AVAILABLE FROM OSHA
2. OSHA TO FOCUS ON COMPLIANCE RATHER THAN ENFORCEMENT
3. TOYOTA SETS AGGRESSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL GOALS
4. SBA REPORTS ON "IMPACTS OF REGULATORY COSTS ON
   SMALL FIRMS"
5. CCA TO BE PHASED OUT IN LUMBER INDUSTRY
6. LOCAL TRAINING FOR QUALITY, ENVIRONMENTAL AND SAFETY MANAGERS: TMEP Workshop Schedule, March - April

METALWORKING FLUIDS BEST PRACTICES NOW AVAILABLE FROM OSHA

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has released a best-practices guide to help employers provide a safer workplace for workers exposed to metalworking fluids. Metalworking fluids include a mix of oils, detergents and lubricants and are used primarily for their coolant, lubricating and corrosion-resistant properties during machining.

The new manual provides general information about metalworking fluids, recommends methods to reduce exposure and contact with the fluids, and suggests instituting exposure monitoring on an annual basis, at minimum. Additional recommendations include establishing a fluid-management program that includes giving responsibility to individuals knowledgeable about the chemistry involved in metalworking processes.

The best-practices manual is not a new standard or regulation. It is informational and advisory in nature. You can download the new manual at the OSHA website:

http://www.osha-slc.gov/SLTC/metalworkingfluids/metalworkingfluids_manual.html

--Reprinted from Industry Week, Nov. 26, 2001

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OSHA AGREES TO FOCUS ON COMPLIANCE ASSISTANCE RATHER THAN ENFORCEMENT

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) recently announced a resolution of issues raised by NAM in a lawsuit concerning OSHA's revised recordkeeping rule. The settlement assured that the rule took effect as scheduled on January 1, 2002.

A key provision in the settlement is the agreement that OSHA compliance officers will focus initially on compliance assistance, rather than enforcement. As a result, no citations will be issued for violations of the recordkeeping rule during the first 120 days after January 1, 2002, provided employers strive to meet their recordkeeping obligations and agree to make corrections necessary to bring their records into compliance. NAM filed a lawsuit in March 2001 challenging a number of provisions in OSHA's revised recordkeeping rule. As part of the settlement, NAM withdrew its challenge. OSHA also has agreed to clarify certain provisions in the rule.

One of the principal issues in NAM's lawsuit was what constitutes a work-related injury. In the settlement, OSHA explains that a case is work-related if, and only if, a work event or exposure is a discernible cause of the injury or illness or if it causes a significant aggravation to a preexisting condition; and none of the rule's exceptions to work-relatedness apply. Employers must determine whether it is more likely than not that work events or exposures caused or contributed to the injury or illness or significantly aggravated a preexisting condition. Should an employer decide a case is not work-related, and OSHA subsequently issues a citation for failure to record, the burden of proof would then be on OSHA to show the injury or illness was work-related.

To find more information about work-related injuries, visit the OSHA website at

http://www.osha-slc.gov/recordkeeping.

Among the questions answered are:

• Do I need to fill out the OSHA log of work-related injuries and illnesses?
• What do I need to comply with the new recordkeeping requirements?
• What should I do if there is a fatality or catastrophe at my work site?
• How will the new requirement differ from the previous requirements?
• What kind of assistance will OSHA be providing to help me comply with the new requirement?

This site also includes fact sheets, side-by-side comparisons of old and new requirements, training information, new forms and more.

For information about Tennessee's Annual Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses and a copy of Tennessee's First Report of Work Injury Form C20, visit http://www.state.tn.us/labor-wfd/rslabor.html.

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TOYOTA SETS ENVIRONMENTAL GOALS

Toyota has released its first comprehensive "North America Environmental Report,"
which includes goals to reduce energy consumption at its production plants and improve the efficiency and recyclability of its automobiles. The company also will increase its North American allotment of the Prius hybrid automobile by 40 percent, or to 17,000 vehicles, in order to keep up with strong demand. The Prius is the world's first mass-produced gas-electric hybrid automobile. Among Toyota's key goals outlined in the report are:

• to secure the top levels of fuel efficiency among full-line auto manufacturers and exceed CAFE standards for all of its automobiles;
• to reduce energy use by 15 percent per unit of production by 2005, which will, in turn, decrease CO2 emissions by 15 percent per unit;
• to develop a database to track greenhouse gas emissions associated with sales and distribution operations;
• to implement new materials and design strategies to increase the recyclability of its vehicles and meet a goal of 95 percent vehicle recovery rate by 2015.

To view the full North America Environmental Report, visit http://www.toyota.com/environment

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SBA REPORT ON "IMPACTS OF REGULATORY COSTS ON SMALL FIRMS"

Federal regulatory costs on U.S. business grew to $497 billion in 2000. Furthermore, these costs fell disproportionately on small business. These are the primary findings of a study released last fall by the Office of Advocacy of the US Small Business Administration (SBA). The report, by W. Mark Crain and Thomas D. Hopkins, entitled The Impact of Regulatory Costs on Small Firms, examines the cost of regulation on small versus large firms across four broad industrial sectors: manufacturing, trade (wholesale and retail), services and other.

"These research results are very disturbing," said Office of Advocacy Acting Chief Counsel Susan Walthall. "This new study shows that the cost of federal regulation on business continues to increase and that as this regulatory burden grows these costs disproportionately hit small business. " The report divides federal regulations into four categories: environmental, economic, workplace and tax compliance. All told, in 2000 federal regulations cost small firms (fewer than 20 employees) nearly $7,000 per employee annually. Compliance costs for medium-size firms (20 to 499 employees) and for large firms (500+ employees) were close to $4,320 and $4,460 per employee respectively.

To read the full report, visit http://www.sba.gov/ADVO/research/rs207tot.pdf

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CCA TO BE PHASED OUT IN LUMBER INDUSTRY

US manufacturers of arsenic-containing wood preservatives are nearing an agreement with the EPA to phase out most uses of the substances. While the talks continue, the main element of the agreement has been established: a two-year phase-out of chromated copper arsenate (CCA) and the lesser used chromated zinc arsenate (CZA) for all but limited industrial applications.

Much CCA treated lumber is used to build outdoor furniture and playground equipment. Industry has contended for years that arsenic in this wood does not present a risk to humans. However, more recent scientific research indicates that arsenic can be rubbed off by contact with CCA wood and leech out of CCA wood in significant amounts. Also, EPA's Science Advisory Panel recently released a report that indicated a high percentage of arsenic in soil becomes bioavailable if ingested. This risk is viewed as particularly problematic in children's playgrounds. The panel recommended further study.

Last summer, EPA and industry agreed to a consumer awareness program that would attach labels to CCA wood, informing retail buyers that arsenic is in the wood and providing safe handling instruction. This initiative has apparently not had the intended success with retail outlets, such as The Home Depot and Lowe's Home Improvement, which are hesitant to sell products with such labels. Pressure to eliminate the chemicals is coming also from a growing number of environmental and health groups as well as from members of the US Congress.

Under the agreement, CCA manufacturers will submit pesticide registration applications to EPA for CCA and CZA that will be used only in utility poles and structural pilings. The decision is expected to have a profound effect on the $200 million CCA sector, which will need to further develop and market less toxic, but more costly alternatives.

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TMEP WORKSHOP SCHEDULE: MARCH - APRIL

For more information about the courses listed below, please Click Here. Or, call us: (615) 532-8657 or toll-free at (888) 763-7439. To register for any TMEP courses, please use this Registration Form

QUALITY MANAGEMENT COURSES:
ISO 9001:2000 Internal Auditor

• Knoxville -- March 26 - 27
• Nashville -- April 2 - 3

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COURSES:
Construction Storm Water Permit Regulatory Requirements

• Chattanooga -- March 20
• Jackson -- March 22
• Knoxville -- March 19
• Nashville -- March 21

Hazardous and Special Wastes

• Knoxville -- April 9
• Memphis -- April 11
• Nashville -- April 10

Industrial Air Regulations

• Jackson -- April 23
• Knoxville -- April 25
• Nashville -- April 24
  

HAZARDOUS WASTE/CHEMICAL SITE WORKER COURSES:
8-Hour Site Worker Refresher

• Nashville -- March 20
• Knoxville -- April 10

40-Hour Site Worker

• Memphis -- April 22 - 26

EMERGENCY RESPONSE COURSES:
24-Hour Emergency Response Technician

• Murfreesboro -- March 12 - 14

24-Hour HazMat Chemistry

• Memphis -- March 26 - 28

8-Hour Emergency Response Refresher

• Knoxville -- April 11

DOT COMPLIANCE COURSES:
16-Hour DOT - Shipping & Receiving Regulations

• Knoxville -- March 21 - 22
• Nashville -- March 18 - 19

8-Hour DOT Refresher

• Memphis -- March 25

SAFETY COURSES:
OSHA 10-Hour General Industry Course

• Jackson -- March 5 - 6
• Knoxville -- March 19 - 20
• Nashville -- March 12 - 13

What to Expect When TOSHA Inspects

• Jackson -- April 2
• Knoxville -- April 30
• Nashville -- April 16

SUBSCRIBE FREE: http://www.tmep.utk.edu/

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