How can OSHA’s Chemical Safety Resources Improve Worker Safety?

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Tens of thousands of workers become sick from exposures to the countless hazardous chemicals used in the workplace as part of a job function each day in the United States. These sicknesses sometimes result in long term, adverse health issues, and even death. OSHA, or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration – an offshoot of the U.S. Department of Labor – has recently launched two new web resources that should assist businesses with resources that will work toward keeping workers safe. chemical safety for workers

Numerous types of chemicals are suspected of being harmful to people and to the environment, and many believe that OSHA’s criteria concerning exposure standards are out of date, not updated frequently enough, and provide inadequate information on how to enable complete protection from the hazardous chemicals that OSHA tries to regulate in the workplace. Therefore, to combat the perceived issue of insufficient protective resources, OSHA has put in place new resources to ensure maximization of its criteria standards. The first resource OSHA has created is a toolkit to help identify safer, cleaner chemicals that can be used as an alternative to the more hazardous chemicals. This toolkit takes industrial businesses, along with its workers, step by step through the methods, tools, and guidance information to help significantly reduce, or altogether eliminate hazardous chemicals, as well as help industrial businesses make informed substitution decisions in the workplace by finding, and then transitioning to a safer chemical.

OSHA has also recently created another new web resource, known as the Annotated Permissible Exposure Limits, also called annotated PEL tables. Annotated PEL tables help enable employers to voluntarily adopt newer, advanced, and more protective workplace exposure limits. OSHA’s annotated PEL tables appoint mandatory limits on the amount, or concentration of a chemical substance that could be released into the air to protect workers against the health effects of these hazardous chemicals. Due to concerns about OSHA’s ability to police the numerous hazardous chemicals in the United States, OSHA promises to continue to enforce its mandated PEL list. However, despite OSHA’s adoption of its annotated PEL table, the consistent flow of new scientific data, along with research industrial experts and developments in technology indicate that, in most instances, the mandatory limits put forth are still not sufficient enough to completely protect the health of workers.

Despite the pessimists out there that say OSHA has not established enough guidelines and resources regarding the improvement of worker safety through the enforcement of stricter chemical safety procedures, it is impossible to discount the effort made by the regulating body to improve the situation of too many hazardous chemicals used by industrial businesses. Ecolink works toward helping the circulation of resources and information made available to combat the use of hazardous chemicals.

Replacement Strategies for Banned Chemicals

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replacing banned chemicalsWith the help of newly found research and scientific studies on the inclusion of certain types of chemicals used in cleaning solvents, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is using this information to reduce the use of hazardous chemical solvents in the workplace and at home. If any chemical cleaning solvents are determined to be harmful, the EPA will start a notification process that will inform industrial businesses and the public who might be using harmful chemical cleaning solvents that an immediate cease and desist must commence no later than a certain date that will be provided, actuated by the EPA. A similar occurrence happened with a chemical solvent known as HCFC-225. Beginning on January 1, 2015, businesses that facilitate industrial cleaning solutions will no longer be lawfully allowed to use the chemical solvent HCFC-225, which is also called “AK225.” AK225 is a popularly used precision solvent used for cleaning industrial parts, metals, components, and materials, because of its efficiency for high performance cleaning. Known as “white paper,” this document, which will explain the termination of HCFC-225, will consist detailed information stating the reason why the EPA banned the chemical solvent.

The well detailed and abundantly informational white paper will also offer options for replacement cleaning solvents that will be listed on the document. In other words, your industrial organization will immediately have ‘a leg up’ in finding an alternative cleaning solution if it is currently using AK225. When implementing the plan to change to a different chemical cleaning solvent, options exist that include eco friendly, green initiative solutions that will clean as effectively as AK225 could, and also instill a safe solution that places people and the environment out of danger. If you, or your business, would like more information on eco friendly alternative cleaning solutions, Ecolink is a green initiative organization that can assist with the switch to a better, safer solvent.

Ecolink employs a team of scientists and experts in the chemical solvent industry that work toward uncovering hazardous chemical solvents that are still made available to industrial businesses and the public for cleaning purposes. In addition, through chemical research, Ecolink experts and scientists have developed eco friendly, green alternative cleaning solvent options that can take the place of your harmful cleaning solvent, and clean with as much efficiency as your previous model. Ecolink has plenty of information on eco friendly cleaning alternatives readily available, which means that little, to no lag time should happen when an industrial organization commits to switching to green initiative chemical cleaners.

Ecolink, through its brilliantly developed solvent replacement strategies, has made transitioning from one chemical solvent to a new, safer chemical cleaning solution simple. Industrial businesses, if willing to adhere to Ecolink’s strategies on solvent replacement, will never have to worry about problems related to conforming to the EPA’s set mandates and regulations ever again.

Call Ecolink today at 800-563-1305 to begin your chemical audit and begin saving money through chemical replacement and reduced chemical usage.

 

Cleaning with Chemicals that will Make the EPA Smile

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epa complianceThe Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, creates industry wide mandates regarding the need for using chemical cleaning solvents that do not put in danger workers, people, or the environment. The EPA calls this list of rules, or guidelines, MACT standards (Maximum Achievable Control Technology). MACT standards requires all industrial organizations, and any business that engages in industrial cleaning, to test its chemical solvents and verify whether the chemical compounds in the solvent ingredients emit hazardous toxins into the environment. If the outcome of the test does not satisfy MACT specific emissions limits, then the organization must cease and desist from using the chemical cleaning solvent. The EPA researches and tests chemical compounds commonly used in cleaning and degreasing solvents, and tests those solvents against emissions levels that have been determined safe for people to use, and for environmental exposure. The purpose is to reduce both health and environmental risks associated with the use of any chemical compound found in cleaning solvents. Only when the EPA concludes that industrial organizations are conforming to lower emissions standards will it be able to rest easy and smile.

Optimum emissions levels to which industrial businesses must adhere, according to MACT standards devised by the EPA, are based on the average of low emissions output achieved by the best performing industrial facilities. During the process of determining what is achievable, based on what the best performing industrial facilities are accomplishing, the EPA investigates areas such as clean processes, control devices, and work practices. At this point, the EPA can set the average standard based on the results, or, if it deems necessary, can establish a more stringent standard, for which it reserves the right. For the EPA to make such a move toward more stringent policies, changes in economics, environmental scenarios, and public health issues must be in play to force such a move.

The EPA recognizes the work that organizations like Ecolink perform, because these kinds of organizations lend assistance to not only informing both industrial organizations and the general public, but also provide solutions that promote the swift transitioning to an eco friendly, green alternative chemical cleaning solutions with low emissions – which makes the EPA very happy. Developing and administering standards that reduce toxic emissions found in chemical cleaning agents is the name of the game, and the EPA is thrilled that organizations like Ecolink aid in achieving improved safety standards. This collaborative approach should continue achieve successes related to the toxic reduction of industrial cleaning solvents.

Industrial businesses that choose to consult with Ecolink are able to identify additional measures that help protect public health and the environment from toxic chemicals found in industrial cleaning solvents. Ecolink has proven successful at enforcing EPA protocol by locating safer industrial cleaning solvents, and helping industrial companies switch to eco friendly, green alternative cleaning solutions.

What is the ZWBA?

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USZBC Brandon Pelissero ZWBA Certificate-600Environmental and health safety organizations have developed over the years, alerting businesses about the alarming rate of waste that is produced. The rising of these organizations stem from the research and the growing increase of available information regarding how truly harmful waste has become from businesses, and how it negatively impacts both people and the environment. One such organization, known as the U.S. Zero Waste Business Council (USZWBC), has developed what is called the Zero Waste Business Associate (ZWBA) certification system. This systems works toward training professionals so they can help businesses achieve a “Zero Waste” standard, as well as to help get the companies’ facilities certified as Zero Waste, according to the USZWBC Scorecard Certification System. Companies that become certificate holders will obtain a practical understanding of the most current Zero Waste business principles and practices and USZWBC policies and processes, as well as the ability to demonstrate a clear and concise commitment to professional growth concerning the advancement of Zero Waste policy.

Companies that wish to become Zero Waste Business Associates through the USZWBC will earn their credentials by submitting the following: an application, attending the ZWBA Scorecard Training 101 Course – which was previous called the “Become a Certified Zero Waste Business” Course – and is a six hour course, paying all applicable fees, and passing a computer based exam, which is comprised of randomly delivered multiple choice questions. Once certified, the role of a ZWBA member is to implement Zero Waste programs and help others become aware of the program, prepare businesses for the USZWBC Zero Waste Business Certification training program, and assist businesses through the entire certification process. Note: certified ZWBA members do not conduct certification audits, trainings, or any other business affairs on behalf of the USZWBC.

In a brief summation, the following lists the steps on how to earn a Zero Waste Business Associate Certificate:

  • First, you need to fill out the application form.
  • Participate in the six hour training course.
  • Take, and pass the subsequent test that follows the training course.
  • Make sure you are up to date in paying all of the certification costs.
  • When it is time to do so, get your certification renewed.

More information concerning all related materials about the ZWBA can be attained from the USZWBC website, including a more comprehensive detailing of the steps mentioned above, the advantageous to becoming a ZWBA certified member, along with more information regarding the ZWBA, and everything it entails. Any additional questions can be answered by either an Ecolink professional, or a representative of the USZWBC.

Ecolink is fortunate enough to have one of only two certified ZWBA professionals in all of Georgia. Brandon Pelissero successfully completed the course in July of 2014. This certification adds to the many skills Ecolink employs to help their clients minimize chemical usage, maximize their cleaning budget and create an enviromentally friendly approach to industrial cleaning. Call today 800-563-1305 to begin your journey to zero waste harmony.

What is the Best way for Companies to Reduce Toxic Chemical Usage?

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reduce toxic chemicalsThe answer to this question is not as straightforward as you might think, and that is because the solution is dependent on a host of factors. The factors aiding in the quest for the overall solution are as follows:

As much as companies like Ecolink work toward finding the solution that provides the ultimate safe cleaning solvent, the truth is that there are no perfect substitutes in any attempt to eliminate completely hazardous solvents at home or in the workplace. If the ultimate safe solution actually existed, the professionals at Ecolink would like to think that, everyone, whether at home or in the professional setting, would be using that particular solvent. Every cleaning solvent carries a matrix of risk factors for environmental, health, and / or safety reasons. Inevitably, any chemical choice involves weighing the alternatives, or the pros and cons between each chemical cleaning product.

Ecolink places every product within a “hazard ladder,” to assist in the selection process for a particular cleaning application. While this hierarchy is both technical and subjective, it provides a sound foundation for evaluating alternative chemical cleaners for each specific application. Keep in mind that the circumstances of your specific chemical application pertaining to your cleaning need will override any set of assumptions you might have. The hierarchy listed below is relative to site-specific influences and benefits related to a given chemical. The list is written in such a way that the levels of hazard increase from the top, moving down:

  1. Avoid the need to clean: As ridiculous as this might seem, you and/or your business can identify ways to prevent the part that needs cleaning from becoming dirty in the first place. Once you identify these possibilities, be sure to evaluate and implement if they are deemed advantageous to keeping your parts cleaned.
  2. Modify the part for containment: This can be accomplished through the use of no-clean flux, water based cutting fluids, and non solvent based cleaning technology.
  3. Use high pressure water, or water based cleaners: For certain products, though several parts, items, and materials fall under this category for effective cleaning, you will be surprised how effective high pressure water cleaning can be. Use non halogenated, non flammable solvent technology.
  4. Use terpene, aliphatic hydrocarbon, and dibasic esters: This is not optimal, because it requires the use of flammable solvent technology, but it is still better and safer than many other options.
  5. Use alcohol and / or acetone: Also not optimal, but they are not ozone depleting, and they are considered a low toxicity halogenated solvents.
  6. Use HFE and HFC blends: Not as recommended as number five, but still safer than many other cleaning solvents, both HFE and HFC are non ozone depleting halogenated solvents.
  7. Use N-Propyl Bromide and/or TCE: A last resort based on this list, but similar to number six, it is still a better alternative than several other types of chemical cleaning solutions.