Safe + Sound
Looking for a way to promote a safe workplace? Participate in Safe + Sound Week, sponsored by OSHA and other safety and health organizations – the National Safety Council; NIOSH, OSHA’s research and training sister; the professional organizations AIHA and ASSP; and more. Safe + Sound is a year-round campaign, encouraging every workplace to have a strong safety and health program. Its website has ideas and resources to promote safety, to encourage your employees to participate in creating a safer workplace, and to help your managers make your workplace safer.
Environmental Update:
2025 Industrial Stormwater Permit and No Exposure Exclusions
Industrial Stormwater Permit and No Exposure Exclusion applications will be due for 2025 (every five years). If you are a manufacturing facility, you probably need a permit. But if you can keep your facility from contaminating stormwater, you can apply for the No Exposure exclusion. The MPCA has begun accepting No Exposure certifications for the 2025 permit.
If you want to certify for no exposure, make sure you don’t have any of these common violations:
- Open/uncovered dumpsters because they can leak when stormwater gets in.
- Storing significant materials outdoors, such as corrodible metals or used appliances
- Industrial activities conducted outdoors, such as loading and unloading products that would contaminate stormwater if they spilled.
- Fueling of vehicles and equipment outdoors
- Dust and particulates visible in the air or deposits on the ground.
- Pollutants potentially mobilized by wind; materials sheltered from precipitation can still be deemed exposed if the materials can be windblown.
- Metal processing facilities with uncovered, outside bins that contain scrap metal
- Trash compactors with hydraulic leaks or contents falling out of equipment seams, or exposure from loading or unloading
- Bag houses or other particulate matter collection devices that release particulate matter
In the next few months, we’ll be checking that our maintenance clients continue to be eligible for the no exposure exclusion and working with them to submit that certification.
Transferring flammable brake cleaner
Do you purchase 55-gallon drums of brake cleaner or other flammable materials? If so, how do you transfer the material to a usable container such an air-pressured sprayer? If you just grab whatever’s most convenient, you may be susceptible to some OSHA citations. What’s wrong with using an empty washer jug? That plastic container isn’t allowed for most flammable liquids. You probably haven’t relabeled it with the new product and its hazards. And because transferring flammable liquids can generate static electricity, those containers should be electrically connected and grounded. A better options: use a filling station. If this might be a concern in your facility, let us know.
Are you recycling? It’s required in Dakota County
If your facility is in Dakota County, your hazardous waste inspector will now check if you’re recycling and you’ll soon have to report on your efforts. The county now has an ordinance requiring all businesses and residents to recycle. Even if you aren’t in Dakota County, recycling is a good business practice. Dakota County has set these rules for recycling:
- You need to have a recycling service. If you don’t, contact a trash hauler to set up a recycling service.
- Collect the Designated List of Recyclables.
- Place recycling and trash containers next to each other (within 10 feet).
- Label your waste and recycling containers as “Recycle” or “Trash.” Dakota County will provide you with free labels.
- Train employees on how to recycle correctly. The training requirements can be found on Dakota County’s website.
We’re hiring
Know any experienced safety and health professionals looking for a new challenge? If you do, send them our way. We’re looking for someone to help with training, walkthroughs, program development, safety committees – all those things we routinely do for our clients.
Where to find us:
Safety 2024: Carol will be attending the American Society of Safety Professionals’ annual professional development conference and expo in Denver from August 5 thought August 9. If there is a safety related product you need that you want her look for, shoot her an email.
Janet: You will find her at the MN State Fair from August 22 through September 2. She may be volunteering at the Equimania booth in the horse barn, watching a sheep dressing competition, or talking to a beekeeper.
Mary will be on an extended vacation from August 9 through September 8. Please contact Carol if you have any questions that you would normally ask Mary.