Audit, Compliance and Risk Blog

OSHA: Avoiding Heat Illness

Posted by Jon Elliott on Tue, Jun 03, 2014

It's nearly time to start worrying that outdoor work in the summer sun will lead to heat illness. The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provides some guidance to employers and their workers, while the Sun Belt California's Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) administers detailed regulatory requirements promulgated under state law. If you have outdoor workers in California you must comply with the following requirements, while if you're anywhere else you should at least consider them.

Read More

Tags: Corporate Governance, Business & Legal, Employer Best Practices, OSHA, Employee Rights, California Legislation, Environmental risks, Environmental, EHS, EPA

Workers’ Compensation in California: What If You Get Hurt on the Job?

Posted by STP Editorial Team on Mon, Apr 14, 2014

The workers’ compensation system is based on a trade-off between employers and employees. Employees are entitled to receive prompt, effective medical treatment for on-the-job injuries or illnesses no matter who is at fault and, in return, are therefore prevented from suing employers over those injuries. As a result, California employers, as in other states, are required by law to have workers’ compensation insurance, even if they have only one employee. And, if employees get hurt or sick because of work, the employer is required to pay for workers’ compensation benefits. Workers’ comp insurance provides six basic benefits: medical care, temporary disability benefits, permanent disability benefits, supplemental job displacement benefits, or vocational rehabilitation and death benefits.

Read More

Tags: Corporate Governance, Business & Legal, Employer Best Practices, Health & Safety, Employee Rights, California Legislation, EHS, Disability benefits

Environmental Compliance: Santa Barbara Yearly Regulatory Measures

Posted by STP Editorial Team on Mon, Mar 31, 2014

State law requires the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District to publish a list each year of regulatory measures that may be considered for adoption or amendment during the upcoming calendar year.  The District posted its list for 2014 on January 5, 2014, which can be seen below.  Before adopting or amending any regulation, the District publishes a notice in a local newspaper and holds a hearing to accept comments from affected businesses and other interested parties.

Read More

Tags: Health & Safety, California Legislation, Environmental risks, Environmental, EHS, Greenhouse Gas, ghg, mact, Santa Barbara

Changes to California Carcinogen and Reproductive Toxin Lists

Posted by STP Editorial Team on Wed, Mar 19, 2014

The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) has made a number of changes to the list of chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity for purposes of the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 (Proposition 65).

Read More

Tags: Health & Safety, California Legislation, Environmental risks, Environmental, EHS, EPA, Hazcom

Motor Vehicle Air Conditioner (MVAC) Refrigerants Have Environmental Impacts

Posted by STP Editorial Team on Wed, Feb 05, 2014

EPA has a new fact sheet, “Section 609 Regulatory Requirements: Motor Vehicle Air Conditioning” that outlines the requirements to be followed to prevent the release of refrigerants during the servicing of MVACs and MVAC-like appliances. This fact sheet discusses the regulatory requirements for technician training and certification, sales restrictions, safe disposal, recordkeeping, equipment certification, and approved equipment. It also addresses the importance of protecting our ozone layer and explains the serious impact MVACs can have on the climate:

Read More

Tags: Employer Best Practices, Health & Safety, California Legislation, Environmental, Transportation

OSHA Acts to Reduce Risks for Communication Tower Workers

Posted by Viola Funk on Mon, Jan 13, 2014

In response to what it describes as “an alarming increase” in worksite injuries and fatalities related to communication tower activities, the federal Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) recently issued a memorandum for regional administrators. Intensified upgrades to cellular infrastructure (to cite an example from a few years ago, preparation to introduce 3G service) are likely contributing to the toll: 14 incidents in just a few months of 2013, a total greater than that of the previous two years combined.

Read More

Tags: Employer Best Practices, Health & Safety, OSHA, Employee Rights, California Legislation, Training

Environmental Compliance: California Prepares To Regulate “Fracking”

Posted by Jon Elliott on Wed, Nov 20, 2013

Advances in field techniques have recently made hydraulic fracturing— “fracking”—a major part of energy production in the United States and Canada. Frackers pump high-pressure fluids into rock formations to expand cracks and create pathways for valuable hydrocarbons to flow out. The stimulant fluids are usually water-based, with additional chemicals (acids, surfactants, biocides, etc.) to improve effectiveness and solid ‘proppants’ to prop open the expanded openings (sand, etc.). Read my earlier blog here

Read More

Tags: Health & Safety, California Legislation, Environmental risks, Environmental, EHS, Hazcom, fracking, hydraulic fracking, Oil & Gas

New Pacific Coast Climate Change Initiative

Posted by Jon Elliott on Thu, Nov 14, 2013

On October 28, British Columbia, California, Oregon and Washington signed the Pacific Coast Action Plan on Climate and Energy, committing themselves to align efforts to control greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions to combat climate change, and to promote clean energy. The Action Plan is adopted under the aegis of the Pacific Coast Collaborative, which encompasses these four jurisdictions plus Alaska.

Read More

Tags: California Legislation, Environmental risks, Environmental, EPA, Greenhouse Gas, ghg, climate change, Canadian

Officially Linked: California and Quebec GHG Cap-and-Trade Programs

Posted by STP Editorial Team on Mon, Nov 04, 2013

In late September 2013, California’s Air Resources Board (ARB) and the government of Quebec signed an agreement to harmonize and integrate their cap-and-trade programs for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. California’s GHG programs under AB 32 will be officially linked with Quebec’s programs beginning January 1, 2014.

Read More

Tags: Business & Legal, California Legislation, Environmental risks, Environmental, Greenhouse Gas, ghg, climate change, Canadian

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