Audit, Compliance and Risk Blog

Viola Funk

Recent Posts

Lead Poisoning Prevention Week

Posted by Viola Funk on Mon, Oct 21, 2013

It’s common knowledge now that lead is a systemic poison. Overexposure to it can damage our blood-forming, nervous, urinary and reproductive systems. In the past, lead was commonly added to industrial paints because of its characteristic corrosion resistance and color enhancement. Lead Poisoning Prevention Week takes place from October 20–26. Sponsored by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), this year’s event focuses on protecting children from exposure to lead. EPA and partner agencies such as HUD are helping raise awareness among parents of ways to combat lead poisoning, from monitoring children’s consumption of certain types of imported candy to screening those most liable to be exposed to lead in the home.

Read More

Tags: Business & Legal, California Legislation, Environmental risks, Environmental, EPA

Insurance Archaeology: Do You Know Where Your Policies Are?

Posted by Viola Funk on Fri, Oct 04, 2013

Read More

Tags: Corporate Governance, Business & Legal, Insurance, Insurance Claims

Je me souviens de…Offsetting GHG Emissions

Posted by Viola Funk on Wed, Sep 25, 2013

The greenhouse gas cap-and-trade program overseen by California’s Air Resources Board (ARB), which began earlier this year, not only allows for use of approved offsets to meet a portion of an entity’s emission reduction requirements. Entities will soon also be able to comply with the program by participating in its counterpart in the Canadian province of Quebec. By January 1, 2014, ARB’s cap-and-trade program will be linked with Quebec’s. A press release from ARB sums up key features of the linkage:

Read More

Tags: Health & Safety, Environmental risks, Environmental, EPA, Greenhouse Gas, ghg

Recent OSHA Updates

Posted by Viola Funk on Mon, Aug 26, 2013

OSHA Expands Exemption for Digger Derricks Used in Construction Work

On May 29, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a final rule that revises the regulations for cranes and derricks used in construction. These amendments expand the digger-derrick exemption to include all digger derricks used in construction work subject to 29 CFR1926 subpart V, Power Transmission and Distribution. A digger derrick (also called a radial boom derrick) is a specialized type of equipment designed to install utility poles. This revision removes from coverage under 29 CFR 1926 subpart CC certain types of non-pole digger-derrick work described by Edison Electrical Institute. OSHA also made several minor clarifications to the text of the exemption.

Read More

Tags: Corporate Governance, Employer Best Practices, Health & Safety, OSHA, Employee Rights, Training, EHS

Environmental Compliance: Changes to California Training Requirements

Posted by Viola Funk on Wed, Jul 03, 2013

California Revises Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certification Rules

The latest State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) regulatory tweaks broaden coverage but also give wastewater treatment plant owners some welcome wiggle room. Effective April 1, 2013, the SWRCB has revised its regulations regarding wastewater treatment plant classification, operator certification, and contractor registration. The rules have been expanded to cover privately owned wastewater treatment plants. However, they also establish a provisional operator certification. This means owners of Class I wastewater treatment plants who are finding it hard to recruit certified operators may employ provisional operators while conducting their search. In addition, the definition of wastewater treatment plant has been revised to clearly state that water recycling treatment plants are included within the definition. Numerous other key changes affecting California CCR compliance have been made to these regulations.

Read More

Tags: Corporate Governance, Employer Best Practices, Health & Safety, California Legislation, Training, Environmental risks, Environmental

Environmental Law: US Updates

Posted by Viola Funk on Tue, Jun 11, 2013

PSD Rules Rescinded In Part

Recent court decisions rescind portions of EPA Clean Air Act rules governing Prevention of Serious Deterioration (PSD) and renewable fuels. For example, in October 2010, EPA adopted rules allowing for significant impact levels (SILs) and significant monitoring concentrations (SMCs) for sources of PM-2.5. However, in January of this year the D.C. Circuit upheld most elements of the 2012 standards, but vacated and remanded provisions establishing and applying projections of cellulosic biofuel use. American Petroleum Institute v. EPA, ___ F.3d ___ (D.C. Cir. 2013).

Read More

Tags: Health & Safety, OSHA, Environmental risks, Environmental, EPA, ghg

Incineration Standards and Fire Fighting—What You Need to Know

Posted by Viola Funk on Thu, May 23, 2013

 

Ensure Your Facility Meets Final EPA New Source Performance Standards for CISWI Units

On February 7, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final rule (78 FR 9112) amending the new source performance standards for commercial and industrial solid waste incineration units. This action sets forth the agency’s final decision on a number of issues for which it granted reconsideration of the final rule titled “Standards of Performance for New Stationary Sources and Emissions Guidelines for Existing Sources: Commercial and Industrial Solid Waste Incineration Units” (CISWI rule) that was issued in March 2011. The final rule establishes effective dates for the standards and makes various technical corrections to clarify definitions, references, applicability, and compliance issues.

Read More

Tags: Business & Legal, Health & Safety, Training, EPA, Greenhouse Gas

Changes to California Training Requirements

Posted by Viola Funk on Thu, May 09, 2013

Are you an employer concerned with California Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) compliance? Some recent developments at the state level may affect your operations. To learn whether you need to take action, read on!

Read More

Tags: Health & Safety, OSHA, California Legislation, Greenhouse Gas, ghg

Insurance Law Changes in 2013

Posted by Viola Funk on Mon, Apr 29, 2013

The Insurance Services Office (ISO) has presented four major filings in commercial property, business auto, business owner’s coverage, and commercial general liability (CGL), some of which will make 2013 an interesting year for professionals whose success hinges on understanding insurance law. These are the first major new filings by the ISO in seven years.

Read More

Tags: Corporate Governance, Business & Legal, Insurance, Insurance Claims

Environmental Law Update

Posted by Viola Funk on Thu, Apr 11, 2013

Various changes were made to environmental legislation during 2012, both in the US and internationally. Here follows a summary of some of the headlines.

Read More

Tags: International, California Legislation, Environmental, EPA, Greenhouse Gas, ghg, Stormwater