for states that
implement a
key provision of the underground
storage tank amendments of the Energy
Policy Act of 2005. The operator
training grant guidelines describe the
minimum requirements states must
meet in order to comply with the
operator training provision
contained in the Energy Policy Act.
The guidelines establish three distinct classes of
underground storage
tank operators, describe how and
when states will implement the
guidelines, and discuss when
operators must be trained. The guidelines
include a description of the
classes of operators, required training for
each class of operator, deadlines
when operator training is required,
and examples of acceptable state
approaches to operator training. In
order for states to comply with
these requirements, they must develop
state-specific operator training
requirements by Aug. 8, 2009, and
ensure that all three classes of
operators are trained according to
state-specific requirements by Aug.
8, 2012.
Comment Deadline for Wetland
Guidance Extended
EPA, Army Corps Extend Public Comment Period for Joint Rapanos Guidance
EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) are extending the public
comment period for the interagency joint guidance on the scope of Clean Water
Act geographic jurisdiction following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Rapanos v. United
States. The public comment period has
been extended by 45 days and comments on the guidance and experiences with its
implementation are now due by Jan. 21, 2008.
EPA and the Corps issued the guidance in June 2007, consistent with the Supreme
Court's decision in the consolidated cases Rapanos v.
United States and Carabell v. United
States regarding the scope of the agencies'
jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act. The guidance supports a strong
regulatory program that ensures no net loss of wetlands, which is one of three
key elements of the Bush Administration wetlands policy. The other two elements
include an active management program that will result in the restoration,
enhancement and protection of 3 million acres of wetlands by 2009 and a
commitment to conserve isolated wetlands such as prairie potholes.
During the early implementation of the guidance, the agencies are inviting
public comments on case studies and experiences in applying the guidance.
Comments can be submitted to docket EPA-HQ-OW-2007-0282 through http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main
. The agencies, within nine months after the Rapanos
guidance has been issued, intend to either re-issue,
revise, or suspend the guidance after carefully considering the public comments
received and field experience with implementing the guidance. For more
information, visit: http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/guidance/CWAwaters.html .
Free EPA TMDL Webcast Dec 6
EPA's Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Program is sponsoring
a Webcast on Thurs. Dec. 6, 2007 at 2:00 - 4:00pm
Eastern on EPA’s recently released draft document, Options for Expressing Daily
Loads in TMDLs (document posted at: http://www.epa.gov/owow/tmdl/draft_daily_loads_tech.pdf).
This Webcast for TMDL
practitioners will provide information regarding options for developing
appropriate daily load expressions during the TMDL process. In
particular, the Webcast will address the calculation
of daily loads for TMDLs that use allocation
timeframes that are greater than daily (e.g., annual, seasonal).
The Webcast is free, but you need to register in
advance to participate. For registration information and the flyer on the Webcast, please go to: http://www.epa.gov/owow/tmdl/training.html . If you prefer
to gather and attend as part of a group of co-workers, only one registrant per
group is required. For more information, please contact Rosaura Vega at (202) 566-1514 or vega.rosaura@epa.gov.
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In the Air
News of Air Pollution Control
and Air Related Issues
with Nancy Hirko, Kimberly Coy, and Mark Schooley of Air/Compliance
Consultants, Inc
You can contact them at schooley @ air-comp.com
___________________________________
EPA Reports a Sharp Drop in Acid Rain-Forming Emissions
For the first time ever, sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions from the power
sector fell below 10 million tons as reported by EPA's Acid Rain
Program and Related Programs 2006 Progress Report. 2006 marks the 12th year of what is widely
hailed as one of the most successful environmental programs in U.S.
history.
In 2006, annual SO2 emissions from acid rain program electric power
generation sources fell sharply, with reductions of 830,000 tons from 2005
levels and an overall reduction of 40% from 1990 levels. Nitrogen oxide (NOx)
emissions were down by more than 3 million tons since 1990 and had decreased to
nearly half the level anticipated without the Acid Rain Program. These reductions have led to a significant
decrease in acid deposition, resulting in improved water quality in U.S.
lakes and streams. Reduced formation of fine particles, improved air quality,
and human health-related benefits are all results from the reduction of these
emissions.
Since 1995, the market-based cap-and-trade program has significantly reduced
acid deposition in the United
States by decreasing SO2 and NOx emissions. The program's rigorous emissions monitoring
and allowance tracking has resulted in nearly 100% compliance with the program.
The Acid Rain and Related Programs Progress Report includes emissions,
allowance market and compliance data, status and trends in acid deposition, air
quality and ecological effects, and information on implementation of the Clean
Air Interstate Rule, which will further reduce SO2 and NOx
emissions by about 70% and 60% respectively from 2003 levels.
Final EPA Staff Paper Recommends Stronger Standards for Airborne Lead
A key document in EPA’s review of national air quality standards for lead
recommends the agency strengthen the current lead standards to better protect
children. The Final Staff
Paper does not change current air quality standards. It does, however,
contain EPA staff recommendations for the administrator to consider in upcoming
decisions about revising the national air quality standards for lead.
The Clean Air Act requires EPA to periodically review air quality standards
to ensure that it provides adequate health and environmental protection and to
update those standards if necessary. The staff based the final paper on a
review of current science about lead and health, as well as on analyses of
risks at current levels of lead in the air. It recommends that EPA lower the lead standards
from the current level of 1.5 micrograms per cubic meter (ug/m3) to a range
that extends as high as 0.2 ug/m3 and as low as 0.05 ug/m3. The paper also
recommends that EPA not consider revoking the lead standard or removing lead
from the list of criteria pollutants.
Average lead concentrations in the air have dropped a dramatic 96% since
1980, primarily as a result of the ban on lead in motor vehicle gasoline. Any
changes to the lead air quality standard would not affect that ban. In addition
to the changes to improve public health protection, the document recommends
that the administrator consider revising the existing secondary lead standard
to be equal to a revised primary standard.
The assessments, conclusions, and recommendations included are staff
judgments and do not represent agency decisions on the lead standards. By the
end of November 2007, EPA will issue an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
outlining policy options it is considering and seeking public comment.
EPA is required by a consent decree to issue a proposal regarding the lead
standards by May 1, 2008, and to issue a final rule by Sept. 1, 2008. The
agency is planning to issue the proposal in March 2008 to provide the public
ample time to comment.
DEP Seeks Comments on PM2.5 Designation
Recommendations
HARRISBURG (Nov. 16) -- The Department of Environmental
Protection is seeking public comment on its proposed recommendations to the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the designation of areas not meeting
the revised 24-hour fine particulate (PM2.5) National Ambient Air Quality
Standard (NAAQS).
EPA established a revised NAAQS for PM2.5 in October
2006. States are given the opportunity to make recommendations for
designation of areas that do and do not meet the standard. EPA is
expected to make final designations for attainment and nonattainment
areas in December 2009. After the designations are finalized, DEP will
have three years to develop a plan for the nonattainment
areas to meet the revised 24-hour PM2.5 standard.
Written comments on the recommendations should be sent to
Tim Leon-Guerrero, Air Resource Management Division, Bureau of Air Quality, P.O. Box 8468,
Harrisburg, PA
17105-8468 or by
e-mail to tleonguerr@state.pa.us no
later than 4 p.m., Dec. 7. Written comments (including e-mail
submittals) must include the name, affiliation (if any), mailing address, and
telephone number of the person submitting comments.
For more information, contact the Bureau of Air Quality at
717-787-9495 or visit the DEP Web site at http://www.depweb.state.pa.us,
Keyword: “Air Quality.”
EPA Reconsiders the Inclusion of Fugitive
Emissions For Determination of Major Modifications
On November 13, 2007, EPA published (72 FR 63850) its proposal to revise the provisions of the December 2002 New Source Review (NSR) final rules relating to the treatment of fugitive emissions for purposes of determining whether a physical or operational change at an existing major source qualifies as a major modification.
EPA plans to reverse its existing policy and include fugitive emissions as part of the major modification determination – but only for the source categories that have been already designated through rulemaking in the Clean Air Act, §302(j). These are the 28 source categories as listed in the Clean Air Act §169A(7).
EPA is planning to use the same approach to fugitive emissions currently used for determining whether a source is major, for determining whether a change is a major modification. Also in this proposal, EPA provides guidelines for determining when and how emissions are to be considered fugitive for NSR and Title V permitting. Comments must be received on or before January 14, 2008.
New Tools Make Understanding Air Quality Easier Than Ever
(Washington, D.C.
– November 19, 2007) Ever used your computer to "fly" through the
mountains, or zoom in on a satellite picture of your house? Now you can use the
same technology to learn more about emissions and air quality across the
country and where you live.
EPA has developed two tools that let computer users "see" air quality
information on a virtual globe. Both tools are available to the public starting
today.
The first tool is part of the new "Air Emission Sources" Web site,
which is designed to make emissions data for six common pollutants easy to find
and understand. Based on the latest National Emissions Inventory, the site uses
charts and Google Earth files to answer a user’s questions. Users can look at
overall emissions, emissions by type of industry, or emissions by largest
polluter.
Want to know what industry emits the most sulfur dioxide in your state? Select
your state from a map, pick a pollutant, and the site creates a chart showing
you emissions by industry. Want to "see" which refineries in your
state emit the most sulfur dioxide? Use the "tilt" feature in Google
Earth to quickly find the largest emitter. Then click on the balloon to get
more details about emissions from that facility.
EPA also is providing Air Quality Index (AQI) information in the Google Earth
format. Use the AQI tool to quickly see air quality across the country, then click on a specific location to see that city’s AQI
forecast and current levels of ozone or particle pollution.
The AQI is EPA’s color-coded tool to inform the public about daily air
pollution levels in their communities. EPA, in collaboration with state and
local governments, provides AQI forecasts and conditions for more than 300
cities across the United
States.
On the web:
Go to the Air Emissions Sources Web site: http://www.epa.gov/air/emissions
View information in Google Earth format about which facilities emit any of six
common pollutants: http://www.epa.gov/air/emissions/where.htm
See AQI forecasts and current conditions: http://www.airnow.gov
View air quality information in Google Earth format: http://airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=google_earth.main
EPA is also using the Google Earth platform to display Acid Rain Program data: http://epa.gov/airmarkets/progress/interactivemapping.html
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International
Focus
News of
Environmental Trends and Regulations
in Other Countries
with Kim Walker
You can contact me at Kimberly.walker @ erm.com
___________________________________
Global Agreement on Mercury
Pollution Is Focus of International Meeting
Experts are becoming increasingly concerned that increased burning of coal,
naturally contaminated with mercury, is leading to releases to the air in some
parts of the world from where it can spread around the globe. Therefore,
governments and experts are meeting in Bangkok under the auspices of the UNEP's Chemicals Branch to discuss how best to reduce environmental
sources of mercury with a range of options on the table from voluntary measures
and initiatives up to legally binding treaties.
Mercury is linked with a wide range of health effects including irreversible
damage to the human nervous system, including the brain, and scientists have
concluded there is no safe limit when it comes to mercury exposure. Every person alive today (about 6.5 billion
people) is thought to have at least trace levels of the heavy metal in their
tissues. UN Under-Secretary General Steiner stated that scientists have been
warning about the dangers to human health, wildlife, and the wider environment
for well over a century. "And it is true that many countries have, in
recent decades, taken steps to reduce mercury uses and releases and to protect
their citizens from exposure to this toxic heavy metal," he added.
"However, the fact remains that a comprehensive and decisive
response to the global challenge of mercury is not in place and this needs to
be urgently addressed.”
UNEP's flagship report the Global Environment Outlook-4 released last month states that
that coal burning and waste incineration account for about 70% of the total
quantified emissions of mercury.
"As combustion of fossil fuels is increasing, mercury emissions can
be expected to increase, in the absence of control technologies or
prevention," says the GEO-4, the peer-reviewed work of more than 1,000
scientists and experts.
Scientists are also testing suggestions that climate change may be
triggering releases of new, as well as the re-activation of old, deposits of
mercury as a result of rising lake temperatures, erosion, and the accelerated
melting of permafrost, ice sheets, and icebergs at the poles. From here the
mercury, in a form known as methymercury, can enter
the global food chain via marine mammals such as whales and seals and
internationally caught and traded fish such as swordfish, shark, marlin,
mackerel, walleye, sea bass, and tuna.
The Bangkok
"Open-Ended Working Group" meeting will also be attended by industry
and civil society groups. The results of
the meeting will be compiled into a report to be presented to an environment ministers
meeting in February in Monaco
during UNEP's Governing Council/Global Ministerial
Environment Forum. UNEP is urging governments, working with industry and civil
society, to begin setting "clear and ambitious targets" to get global
mercury levels down and to set the stage for mercury-free products and
processes world-wide.
(Source: http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=521&ArticleID=5702&l=en)
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Solid Waste Views
with John Scrabis, P.E.
You can contact me at: jmscrabis @ mactec.com
___________________________________
Go Green for the Holidays
Between the stuffing of the turkey and ringing in the New Year, California, like the
rest of the nation, generates an enormous amount of waste. But the California
Integrated Waste Management Board has some holiday waste management tips that
even the Grinch can't steal. Between Thanksgiving and the New Year, it is
estimated that an extra million tons of waste are generated nationwide each
week. In fact, 38,000 miles of ribbon alone is thrown out each year—enough to
tie a bow around the Earth!
"We can all get a little carried away with the season’s
festivities," said Board Chair Margo Reid Brown. "In the spirit of
giving, the Waste Board is happy to offer some helpful
tips (http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/PublicEd/Holidays/default.htm)
that we can all take to heart."
1. Buy gifts made from recycled products.
When it comes to gifts, the Board suggests giving the ones that
"Yule" remember. Some of the most unique and
interesting gift items can be found online at outlets like RecycleStore(http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/RecycleStore/default.asp).
According to the Board, some of the most memorable gifts can have the least
environmental impact, with a little forethought. Gift certificates, tickets to
sporting and entertainment events, and homemade items all have special meanings
to those on the receiving end.
Given the number of Christmas gifts sure to run on batteries this season, the
Board reminds buyers that rechargeable power sources are easier on the
environment and can be thrifty in the long run. Visit CIWMB's
rechargeable
batteries webpage (http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/WPW/Power/RechBattInfo.htm)
for more information about the seasonal merits of using rechargeable batteries.
2. Be creative when wrapping gifts.
When it comes to wrapping that special holiday season gift, the Board offers
waste-not tips that can rival the gifts themselves in thought and ingenuity.
Instead of purchasing reams of expensive wrapping paper, why not substitute
reusable boxes, brightly colored canvas tote bags, colorful pillow cases or
holiday fabric for toys and similar items, dish towels for kitchen ware, oven
mitts for utensils, tablecloths for eating and dining presents, or hang
earrings, bracelets, and other jewelry on the Christmas tree itself? Check
stores for recycled-content holiday cards and envelopes or make them yourself.
Gift tags can be made from last year's recycled holiday cards.
3. Make gift opening an environmentally friendly effort.
When it comes to opening those mountains of holiday gifts, there are ways to
manage and minimize waste by following some simple recommendations:
- Set aside large box
containers to hold wrapping paper, then select those wrappings with
potential for reuse next year. Most gift boxes can be flattened and stored
away for extended use again and again.
- Christmas cards can become
next season's colorful gift tags.
- If you received a new
microwave, toaster, clock radio, toy, or coat, then consider giving away
your old appliances, toys, games, or clothing to a local charity or thrift
store.
- Drop off extra packaging
materials at local private mailing centers, whose phone numbers can
usually be found in the Yellow Pages Directory.
- Finally, don't forget to save
all reusable ribbons, bows, and other package decorations for future reuse
opportunities.
And remember, donating old TVs, computers, clothes, and other items extends
their useful service lives and keeps landfills free of unnecessary waste. If
donation isn't a practical option, the board recommends that consumers learn where to safely recycle their obsolete electronic
waste products (http://www.erecycle.org/).
4. Recycle Christmas trees.
According to the National Christmas Tree Association, more than 33 million real
Christmas trees are sold nationwide every year. If you bought a live Christmas
tree, be sure to plant it or donate it to a local school or nursing home to
plant on their grounds. If you bought a cut tree, remove all decorations
including tinsel and lights before recycling. Check your local paper for
instructions on recycling options and the dates for pickup or drop-off. City
and county Christmas tree recycling programs are
also advertised on the radio.
Many California
communities have Christmas tree recycling programs. Contact your local
government or ask your local Christmas tree grower about programs in your area.
You can also visit the Earth 911
website (http://earth911.org/green-your-holidays/) to find a local Christmas
tree recycling program.
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ENVIROCABULARY
Environmental Acronyms, Obscure Words
and Other Lingo
with Kim Walker
You can contact me at Kimberly.walker @ erm.com
___________________________________
Each month, the Envirocabulary staff will scour the environmental
literature for terms of interest to our readers. This month’s term is…
Entrain: To trap bubbles in water either
mechanically through turbulence or chemically through a reaction.
(Source: Environmental Protection Agency Terms of
Environment: Glossary, Abbreviations and Acronyms, http://www.epa.gov/OCEPAterms/eterms.html)
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P2 Forum
News on Pollution Prevention,
Recycling and Related Issues
with Michael Stepaniak
You can contact me at michaels @ ccicenter.org
___________________________________
This
Month:
Reducing Waste During the Holidays
New Energy Star Tool Can Help Keep Homes Warm
Green Homes Web Site Launched
REDUCING WASTE DURING THE HOLIDAYS -Many of us look forward to the holiday season. It’s traditionally a time for family and friends to get together and reconnect. Often overlooked however, are the mountains of seasonal waste that are produced and end up in landfills. According to national sources, more than six million tons of extra refuse is generated nationwide each year between Thanksgiving and New Year. The amount is largely made up of cards, wrapping paper, ribbons and bows, boxes, trees, and an assortment of old throwaways. Here are just ten of the many easy ways each one of us can help reduce the trash glut and make a difference: 1) Get creative with wrapping - reuse old maps, newspapers, magazines, comics, gift bags, or even brown bags tied with reusable raffia, ribbons, or bows. 2) Choose holiday cards and envelopes made from recycled-content paper. Even better, e-mail your greetings. 3) Recycle wrapping paper and cards with your mixed paper. Remember though, that papers with metallic surfaces cannot be recycled. 4) If part of your holiday tradition includes a tree, purchase a live one with bundled roots and plant it after the holidays. If this isn’t feasible, recycle your cut tree so it can be chipped for mulch. 5) If using decorative lights, purchase strands of lights that are parallel wired, meaning that each bulb has separate circuitry. This way, if one bulb burns out or malfunctions, the rest of the strand will continue to glow. 6) Wrap gifts in useful items, such as kitchen utensils in an oven mitt or kitchen towel. Present gifts in reusable storage boxes tied with ribbon. Consider hanging gift jewelry items like bracelets, necklaces, and earrings right on the tree. 7) Recycle foam packaging material, if a local facility is available, and “packing peanuts” at a local drop-off recycling center. 8) Set the dining table with linens and china or compostable items instead of disposable paper plates and plastic cups and utensils. 9) Save ribbons and bows for reuse next year, as most cannot be recycled. 10) Don’t throw away old toys, clothing, or electronics just because they’re being replaced with newer versions. Donate usable items to charitable organizations to ensure they are reused. If we all set aside just a little time to let the creative juices flow, it’s possible to offset some of the additional burden that’s usually placed on regional landfills this time of year. Wishing you peace and health in the coming year.
NEW ENERGY STAR TOOL CAN HELP KEEP HOMES WARM – With temperatures dropping, and record-setting energy costs being predicted, a new online tool from EPA can help consumers reduce energy bills by up to 25%. The resource, named Energy Star Home Advisor , provides consumers with personalized recommendations for improving energy efficiency and comfort. According to EPA the average American family spends approximately $1,900 per year on energy bills. As an example of potential savings, EPA estimates that homeowners can reduce their energy bill by up to 10% by simply sealing air leaks and adding insulation. Using the Energy Star Home Advisor is easy to use. You simply enter your zip code and some basic information about the types of fuel used to heat the home. Based on this information you are provided with recommended home improvement projects to increase energy efficiency and comfort. You can also review the average energy savings provided by implementing these improvements. The most common recommendations include sealing air leaks and ducts; adding insulation; installing a programmable thermostat; replacing older heating, cooling, and water-heating equipment with more efficient units; as well as changing lighting, appliances, and windows to Energy Star qualified models. Visit the Energy Star Home Advisor at http://www.energystar.gov/homeadvisor .
GREEN HOMES WEBSITE LAUNCHED - The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) recently announced the launch of a new website that will give homeowners, homebuyers, renters, and landlords the tools they need to ensure their homes are as healthful and environmentally friendly as possible. The Green Home Guide details the
the ways green homes can benefit people's health
and finances, as well as reduce negative impacts on the local community and the
world at large. According to the USGBC, green homes use approximately 40
percent less energy and 50 percent less water than conventional homes. Green
homes also make use of less toxic materials, such as paints and cleaning
products that don't emit harmful chemicals into the air. And, they are built
with a focus on carefully selected materials, those that are recycled, locally
produced, and created from sustainably grown,
renewable resources. The Green Home Guide was developed by USGBC with the
support of Newland Communities, a planned community developer. According to
Newland Communities, if consumers are educated and have access to all of the
information they need, they will be able to make smart, healthful, and sustainable
decisions. The website describes how families have gone green by providing
profiles of homes that have been certified under the USGBC's
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design® (LEED) for Homes rating system.
It also offers details on the LEED for Homes system, including help in finding
LEED builders and professionals nearby. It includes checklists not only for new
homes but also for renovating an existing home. The USGBC points out that green homes are increasingly becoming a key part of the
U.S.
homebuilding market. Access the Green Home Guide at http://www.greenhomeguide.org,
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Compliance Corner
What's New with Regulatory Compliance,
Environmental Management
and Related Issues
with Dan Hagerty, CHMM
You can contact me at daniel_hagerty @ hotmail.com
______________________________
OSHA Renews Alliance With the National
Safety Council
OSHA has renewed its alliance with the
National Safety Council (NSC) to continue providing health and safety
information to the construction and general industries. The alliance will
specifically focus on encouraging motor vehicle safety and drug-free
workplaces. It will also address first-aid training in the workplace, including
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and the use of Automated External Defibrillators.
"Increasing the health and
well-being of employees in the construction and general industries has been the
primary focus of our alliance with NSC," said Assistant Secretary of Labor
for OSHA Edwin G. Foulke Jr. "I am pleased this
alliance will continue to promote workplace safety, while highlighting the
importance of emergency first-aid training, vehicle safety education, and a
drug-free work environment."
"The National Safety Council
and OSHA have a long-standing relationship based on our organizations' missions
to reduce occupational injuries," said Alan C. McMillan, president and
CEO, National Safety Council. "Renewing this alliance further facilitates
our mutual promotion of safety in the workplace while giving special attention
to driving safety and drug-free workplaces, both significant occupational
safety issues."
Over the past year, the alliance has
reached more than 577,000 individuals on safety and health issues through
events and interactive activities, such as the 2006 National Safety Congress
and Expo, the 2007 National Safety Month, and OSHA's
electronic assistance tools.
DOT Updates Guide for Shipping Hazardous
Materials
The DOT is updating it guide on how
to use its hazardous materials regulations. Under a new program, the agency is
asking for your comments on the guide. You can view or download a copy of the
draft guide at http://hazmat.dot.gov/HMpubsreview/docs/howtouse.pdf. Submit
your comments on the guide to the DOT by March 11, 2008, at http://hazmat.dot.gov/HMpubsreview/shipping_safely.html.
OSHA/EPA Occupational
Chemical Database
OSHA and EPA jointly developed and
maintain a new database as a convenient reference for occupational safety and
health information. This database compiles information from several government
agencies and organizations. Available database reports include: "Physical
Properties," "Exposure Guidelines," "NIOSH Pocket
Guide," and "Emergency Response Information," including the DOT
Emergency Response Guide. In addition, an all-in-one report, "Full
Report," is available.
Overall Workplace Injury and Illness Rate Lowest on Record
The rate of workplace injuries and
illnesses in private industry declined in 2006 for the fourth consecutive year,
according to the Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Approximately 4.1 million injuries and illnesses occurred in 2006. The number
translates to a rate of 4.4 cases per 100 full-time employees, slightly less
than the 4.6 rate reported last year. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao said that “workplace injuries and illnesses declined
3% in 2006 over the previous year against the backdrop that overall hours
worked increased (2%). The Department of Labor continues to focus on ensuring
that workplace injury and illness rates continue to decline and that workers
are healthy and safe on the job.”
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