OSHA 300A Posting and Reporting

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It’s that time of year again.  It’s time to prepare, certify and post your OSHA 300A Annual Summary of workplace injuries and illnesses in your workplace. This is required for all U.S. employers, except those with ten or fewer employees or those whose NAICS code is in the set of low-hazard industries exempt from OSHA’s injury and illness recordkeeping requirements.  They must be posted from 1 February to 30 April to comply with the regulations.

Additionally, organizations that require electronic filing must do so by the March 2nd deadline.  If employers in State Plan states (e.g. Washington) have questions about their obligation to submit injury and illness information, please contact your State Plan office.

Coronavirus…Developing Your Strategy

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The 2019 Novel Coronavirus is causing concern for many as the possibilty of a full scale outbreak lingers.  The Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) are providing valuable information that detail planning and prevention strategies to help stop the spread.  Per the WHO’s latest upate, there have been 71,429 confirmed cases globally, with 15 occuring in the United States.  There is a 2% death rate for those confirmed cases.  So what can you do?

The CDC has issued a list of recommendations for both employers and employees to help minimize the potential for exposures.  The list includes:

  • Reinforce personal hygeine practices – Hand washing, coughing/sneezing etiquette
  • Separate sick employees by encouraging them to stay home
  • Perform routine environmental cleaning and disinfection
  • Explore telework opportunities for those that are showing symptoms
  • Check the CDC’s Traveler Notices is travel is expected

For more planning information from the CDC, visit:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/guidance-business-response.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fguidance-business-response.html

https://www.cdc.gov/nonpharmaceutical-interventions/pdf/dont-spread-germs-work-item3.pdf

For the latest information, check out the World Health Organization situation report at:

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/situation-reports/

Changes in Washington’s Dangerous Waste Reports

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This year you may notice some changes to Ecology’s online reporting tool TurboWaste: Ecology relocated TurboWaste to SAW, added security, and updated its forms to address dangerous waste regulations effective 4/28/2019.  New forms will allow you to report consolidation of SQGs into a company-owned LQG, episodic events, and hazardous secondary material.   Annual Dangerous Reports are due 3/1/2020.  Ecology has a new reporting guide available.  Read more about these changes or contact us.

2019 HAZWOPER Challenge Year in Review

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What a great year for HAZWOPER training here at Spring Environmental. We were joined by some of the best professionals throughout the Inland Northwest. Sharing many hours of training and experiences helped everyone to build upon their foundational knowledge to fulfill assigned roles. The HAZWOPER Challenge was rolled out in February to allow professionals to stay engaged throughout the year and you didn’t disappoint. We averaged 11 participants per challenge for 2019, distributed some great swag for the winners, and are looking to boost those numbers in 2020.

To wrap up 2019, we have compiled the whole list of questions along with answers and explanations as another tool for you to utilize in your HAZWOPER toolbox. Be on the lookout January 2nd as we unveil the first challenge for 2020. Looking forward to another great year!

2019 HAZWOPER Challenge Year in Review

Ecology Hires New Director

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WatsonGovernor Inslee selected Laura Watson to serve as the new Ecology Director effective January 8, 2020. Ms. Watson has been an assistant attorney general supporting the Department of Ecology for over fifteen years. During this time, Ms. Watson represented every program in enforcement actions, rulemaking efforts, permit appeals, site cleanups, bill analysis, etc. And during the last five years, she been a member of Ecology’s Executive Leadership Team.

Ms. Watson graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1995 with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and from the University of Washington in 1998 with her law degree. She has spent her entire legal career in public service at the Washington Attorney General’s Office.

More information on Ms. Watson is available on LinkedIn and will be published at https://ecology.wa.gov/About-us/Get-to-know-us/Meet-our-director after January 1st.

HIRE Vets Recognizes 2019 Award Winners

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The HIRE Vets Medallion Award is the only federal-level veterans’ employment award that recognizes a company or organization’s commitment to veteran hiring, retention, and professional development. Review the 2019 List of Awardees and the criteria for the 2020 award cycle.

Spring Environmental has been recognized in the highest level for the category of Small Employers [1 – 50 employees] based on our employment and community support of veterans.