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Meaningful work, positive emotions, and workplace friendships all foster strong employee well-being. But what if you could choose just one to champion in your workplace?

Friendship is the clear winner, says Michael Dickerson, a human resources consultant specializing in workplace mental health. He spoke on “From Languishing to Flourishing – Why Mental Health in the Workplace Matters” at the 2024 Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Annual Conference.

“Relationships are everything,” he said, noting that having a best friend at work helps determine whether an employee will stay in a job.

In addition, positive relationships at work stemming from social support help employees thrive and flourish, and when that happens “we know they’re going to perform better and be more productive,” Dickerson said.

A 2022 Gallup report found that having a best friend at work contributes to success for both the employee and the company. When employees have a best friend at work, the Gallup data indicates that they are more likely to:

  • Engage customers and coworkers
  • Get more done in less time
  • Support a safe workplace
  • Innovate and share ideas
  • Have fun while at work

Friendship in the workplace also helps combat loneliness, which can strain mental health. A 2024 American Psychiatric Association survey showed that adults feel lonely at least once a week, and 17 percent rank work as one of the top three areas where they feel a sense of community and belonging.

Moving from languishing to flourishing

Friendship can also be a source of support for employees who are languishing. Languishing workers might feel empty and have a sense of being unfilled in their jobs.

In addition to friendship, meaningful work can help, Dickerson said. “Do your employees feel like their values are aligned with the values of the organization?” he asked.

Finding what motivates an employee, whether that’s work-life balance or the opportunity to move into a new role, can edge them out of languishing toward flourishing.

It takes three positive emotions to overcome a negative one, Dickerson pointed out. Nurturing positive emotions, such as joy, kindness, gratitude, and inspiration, helps employees prosper.

Seven ways to support workplace friendship

When employers pay attention to worker mental health, they help workers realize their potential, Dickerson noted. Not only are workers with strong mental health better able to cope with stress, they are more likely to flourish.

Supporting the workplace connections that build well-being isn’t always easy in today’s workplace. Team members may be working remotely on some or all days, lowering the opportunities for chance meetings in the hallway and bonding during discussions in the break room.

Because of this, employers need to be intentional about supporting the workplace friendships that can help their employees thrive. To do this:

  1. Offer opportunities for interaction. Foster online and in-person gatherings that align with employee interests, such as clubs for those interested in books, games, or cooking.
  2. Plan gatherings. An employee committee could schedule group events such as a golf outing, ball game, or movie night. Offering a few optional events each year gives employees an opportunity to participate in one that they find intriguing.
  3. Encourage volunteering. A department or group of employees might clean up a local park, support a food pantry, or work with a home building nonprofit. To encourage participation, offer paid time off for volunteering.
  4. Schedule chat time. Once or twice a month, set aside half an hour for online or in-person meetings where no work talk is allowed.
  5. Don’t discourage chit-chat. The small talk that happens naturally when people are in the same room for a meeting can be part of a virtual meeting as well. Those who arrive early can spend a few minutes checking in with their coworkers. The meeting still needs to start on time, but a few minutes of chatting can help remote workers form important workplace bonds.
  6. Pair team members on tasks. Friendships can form when people work together toward a common goal.
  7. Use friendly communication. During a team meeting or in an email, leaders can recognize work anniversaries, highlight achievements, and introduce new team members. Providing insights like these helps employees establish connections and makes them aware of common interests that lead to friendship.

Key to remember: Workplace friendships may be the key to increased employee engagement and lower turnover.

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Most Recent Highlights In Environmental

EPA again delays TSCA Section 8(a)(7) PFAS reporting timeline
2026-04-13T05:00:00Z

EPA again delays TSCA Section 8(a)(7) PFAS reporting timeline

On April 13, 2026, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a final rule that again delays the submission period for the one-time report required of manufacturers on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) by the PFAS Reporting and Recordkeeping Rule (PFAS Reporting Rule).

This final rule pushes the starting submission period to either 60 days after the effective date of a future final rule updating the PFAS Reporting Rule or January 31, 2027, whichever is earlier.

Who’s impacted?

Established under Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Section 8(a)(7), the PFAS Reporting Rule (40 CFR Part 705) requires any business that manufactured (including imported) any PFAS or PFAS-containing article between 2011 and 2022 to report. Covered manufacturers and importers must submit information on:

  • Chemical identity, uses, and volumes made and processed;
  • Byproducts;
  • Environmental and health effects;
  • Worker exposure; and
  • Disposal.

What’s the new timeline?

The opening submission period was moved from April 13, 2026, to either 60 days after the effective date of a future final PFAS Reporting Rule or January 31, 2027, whichever is earlier.

Most manufacturers have 6 months to submit the report. Small manufacturers reporting only as importers of PFAS-containing articles have 1 year.

TSCA Section 8(a)(7) PFAS Reporting Rule submission period
Start dateEnd date
Most manufacturers60 days from effective date of final PFAS Reporting Rule or January 31, 2027 (whichever is earlier)6 months from start date or July 31, 2027 (whichever is earlier)
Small manufacturers reporting solely as PFAS article importers60 days from effective date of final PFAS Reporting Rule or January 31, 2027 (whichever is earlier)1 year from start date or January 31, 2028 (whichever is earlier)

Why the delay?

In November 2025, the agency proposed updates to the PFAS Reporting Rule. EPA has delayed the reporting period to give the agency time to issue a final rule (expected later this year).

Key to remember: EPA has delayed the starting submission deadline for the TSCA Section 8(a)(7) PFAS Reporting Rule from April 2026 to no later than January 2027.

EPA amends specific oil and gas emission standards
2026-04-10T05:00:00Z

EPA amends specific oil and gas emission standards

On April 9, 2026, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a final rule that makes technical changes to the emission standards established in March 2024 (2024 Final Rule) for crude oil and natural gas facilities. This rule (2026 Final Rule) amends the requirements for:

  • Temporary flaring of associated gas, and
  • Vent gas net heating value (NHV) monitoring provisions for flares and enclosed combustion devices (ECDs).

Who’s impacted?

The 2026 Final Rule affects new and existing oil and gas facilities. Specifically, it applies to the regulations for the Crude Oil and Natural Gas source category, including the:

  • New Source Performance Standards at 40 CFR 60 Subpart OOOOb, and
  • Emission guidelines at 60 Subpart OOOOc.

These emission standards are commonly referred to as OOOOb/c.

What are the changes?

The 2026 Final Rule implements technical changes to the temporary flaring and vent gas NHV monitoring requirements set by the 2024 Final Rule.

Temporary flaring

The rule extends the baseline time limit for temporary flaring of associated gas at well sites in certain situations (like conducting repairs or maintenance) from 24 to 72 hours. Owners and operators must stop temporary flaring as soon as the situation is resolved or the temporary flaring limit is reached (whichever happens first).

It also grants allowances beyond the 72-hour limit if exigent circumstances occur (such as severe weather that prevents safe access to a well site to address an emergency or maintenance issue) and there’s a need to extend duration for repairs, maintenance, or safety issues. Owners and operators must keep records of exigent circumstances and include the information in their annual reports.

NHV monitoring

For new and existing sources, the 2026 Final Rule exempts all flare types (unassisted and assisted) and ECDs from monitoring due to high NHV content, except when inert gases are added to the process streams or for other scenarios that decrease the NHV content of the inlet stream gas. In these cases, EPA requires NHV monitoring via continuous monitoring or the alternative performance test (sampling demonstration) option for all flares and ECDs.

Other significant changes include:

  • Replacing the general exemption from NHV monitoring for associated gas for any control device used at well site affected facilities with NHV monitoring requirements;
  • Granting operational pauses during weekends and holidays for the consecutive 14-day sampling demonstration requirements (limiting it to no more than 3 operating days from the previous sampling day); and
  • Permitting less than 1-hour sampling times for twice daily samples where low or intermittent flow makes it infeasible (as long as owners and operators report the sampling time used and the reason for the reduced time).

The 2026 Final Rule takes effect on June 8, 2026.

Key to remember: EPA’s technical changes to the emission standards for oil and gas facilities apply to temporary flaring provisions and vent gas NHV monitoring requirements.

EHS Monthly Round Up - March 2026

EHS Monthly Round Up - March 2026

In this March 2026 roundup video, we'll review the most impactful environmental health and safety news.

Hi everyone! Welcome to the monthly news roundup video, where we’ll review the most impactful environmental health and safety news. Let’s take a look at what happened over the past month.

OSHA released an updated Job Safety and Health poster. Employers can use either the revised version or the older one, but the poster must be displayed in a conspicuous place where workers can easily see it.

OSHA recently removed a link from its Data topic webpage that displayed a list of “high-penalty cases” at or over $40,000 since 2015. The agency says it discontinued and removed it in December. The data is frozen and archived elsewhere.

OSHA published two new resources as part of its newly launched Safety Champions Program. The fact sheet provides an overview of how the program works, eligibility criteria, and key benefits. The step-by-step guide helps businesses navigate the core elements of OSHA’s Recommended Practices for Safety and Health Programs.

Several forces are nudging OSHA to address a number of workplace hazards and high-hazard industries. This comes from other agencies, safety organizations, watchdogs, legislative proposals, and persistent injury/fatality data. Among the hazards are combustible dust; first aid; personal protective equipment; and workplace violence. How all this translates into new regulations, guidance, programmed inspections, or other initiatives remains to be seen.

Turning to environmental news, EPA issued a proposed rule to require waste handlers to use electronic manifests to track all RCRA hazardous waste shipments. Stakeholders have until May 4 to comment on the proposal.

On March 10, EPA finalized stronger emission limits for new and existing large municipal waste combustors and made other changes to related standards.

And finally, EPA temporarily extended coverage under the 2021 Multi-Sector General Permit for industrial stormwater discharges until the agency issues a new general permit. The permit expired February 28 and remains in effect for facilities previously covered. EPA won’t take enforcement action against new facilities for unpermitted stormwater discharges if the facilities meet specific conditions.

Thanks for tuning in to the monthly news roundup. We’ll see you next month!

EPA releases draft list of drinking water contaminants for possible regulation
2026-04-07T05:00:00Z

EPA releases draft list of drinking water contaminants for possible regulation

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published the draft Sixth Contaminant Candidate List (CCL 6) for the next group of contaminants to be considered for regulation under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). The agency’s proposed list designates microplastics and pharmaceuticals as priority contaminant groups for the first time.

What’s on the list?

The proposed CCL 6 contains:

  • 4 chemical groups, including:
    • Microplastics,
    • Pharmaceuticals,
    • Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and
    • Disinfection byproducts.
  • 75 chemicals; and
  • 9 microbes.

EPA may regulate the listed contaminants in the future.

What does the CCL do?

The drinking water CCL is the first part of the process to regulate contaminants in public water systems. The list identifies unregulated contaminants known or anticipated to be present in drinking water that pose the greatest health risk. It helps EPA prioritize which contaminants to evaluate for potential regulation.

The SDWA requires EPA to make regulatory determinations (i.e., whether to develop rules for a contaminant) for at least five contaminants listed on the CCL every 5 years. When the agency determines a contaminant needs to be regulated, it begins the rulemaking process to develop a National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) for the contaminant. The NPDWRs apply to public water systems.

How can I participate?

EPA will receive public comments on the CCL 6 through June 5, 2026. You can send comments to EPA via regulations.gov or by mail. Make sure your submission includes the Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2022-0946.

Key to remember: The draft list of the next round of drinking water contaminants to be considered for regulation adds priority groups for microplastics and pharmaceuticals.

EPA delivers 2026–2027 renewable fuel volumes
2026-04-03T05:00:00Z

EPA delivers 2026–2027 renewable fuel volumes

On April 1, 2026, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published the “Set 2” Rule, establishing the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program’s 2026 and 2027 renewable fuel volumes and associated percentage standards for:

  • Cellulosic biofuel,
  • Biomass-based diesel (BBD),
  • Advanced biofuel, and
  • Total renewable fuel.

The final rule also implements other significant changes.

Who’s impacted?

The “Set 2” Rule affects:

  • Transportation fuel (i.e., gasoline and diesel) refiners, blenders, marketers, distributors, importers, and exporters; and
  • Renewable fuel producers and importers.

The volume and percentage requirements apply to obligated parties, which include transportation fuel refiners and importers.

What are the changes?

The final rule sets the renewable fuel volume requirements and associated percentage standards for 2026 and 2027. Volume requirements are measured in billion Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs). One RIN represents one gallon of ethanol-equivalent renewable fuel.

Renewable fuel categoryVolume requirements (in billion RINs)Percentage standards
2026202720262027
Cellulosic biofuel1.361.430.79%0.84%
BBD9.079.205.24%5.37%
Advanced biofuel11.1011.326.42%6.61%
Total renewable fuel26.8127.0215.50%15.78%

The “Set 2” Rule also:

  • Reallocates 70 percent of the exempted Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) for 2023–2025 to 2026 and 2027 (which are reflected in the above table’s volume requirements),
  • Partially waives the 2025 cellulosic biofuel volume requirement from 1.38 billion RINs to 1.21 billion RINs and adjusts the related percentage standard from 0.81 percent to 0.71 percent, and
  • Removes renewable electricity as a qualifying renewable fuel under the RFS program.

RFS program refresher

The RFS program requires transportation fuel sold in the United States to contain a minimum volume of renewable fuels. EPA sets the renewable fuel volume targets for each of the four renewable fuel categories.

To comply, obligated parties must:

  • Calculate their RVOs for each renewable fuel category, and
  • Obtain and retire enough RINs to meet their RVOs.

Regulations also apply to fuel blenders, marketers, and exporters.

Small refiners may petition EPA for a small refinery exemption (SRE), which allows refineries to produce gasoline and diesel without having to meet the RVOs required by the RFS program. EPA grants SREs annually, and they cover one specific compliance year.

Key to remember: EPA’s final “Set 2” rule establishes the renewable fuel volumes and percentage standards for 2026 and 2027 and drives other changes to the RFS program.

See More

Most Recent Highlights In Transportation

EPA releases final NESHAP for chemical manufacturing area sources
2026-04-02T05:00:00Z

EPA releases final NESHAP for chemical manufacturing area sources

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a final rule on April 1, 2026, amending the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for Chemical Manufacturing Area Sources (CMAS). The NESHAP controls hazardous air pollutant (HAP) emissions from facilities that manufacture a range of chemicals and products, such as inorganic chemicals, plastics, and synthetic rubber.

Who’s impacted?

The final rule applies to nine area source categories in the chemical manufacturing sector that are regulated by the CMAS NESHAP (40 CFR 63 Subpart VVVVVV).

What are the changes?

EPA’s final rule:

  • Establishes leak detection and repair requirements for equipment leaks and heat exchange systems in organic HAP service,
  • Adds detectable emissions monitoring standards for pressure vessels in organic HAP service and emission management practice standards for pressure relief devices (PRDs) in organic HAP service,
  • Prohibits closed vent systems in organic HAP service from bypassing an air pollution control device (APCD), and
  • Requires recurring performance testing of non-flare APCDs to demonstrate compliance with process vent and storage tank provisions.

The final rule also mandates electronic reporting for notifications of compliance status (NOCs), performance test reports, and periodic reports. Facilities must submit these reports through the Compliance and Emissions Data Reporting Interface (CEDRI) on EPA’s Central Data Exchange.

What didn’t change?

Significantly, the final rule doesn’t add previously proposed regulations for area sources that use ethylene oxide (EtO) to produce materials described by code 325 of the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS).

EPA states that it intends to address the regulation of EtO from area sources and major sources in one final action.

What are the compliance timelines?

Existing facilities must comply with the amendments by April 1, 2029.

New facilities (those that begin construction or reconstruction after January 22, 2025) have to comply with the changes by April 1, 2026, or upon startup, whichever is later.

Additionally, facilities must start electronically submitting:

  • Performance tests by June 1, 2026;
  • NOCs by August 31, 2026; and
  • Periodic reports by April 1, 2029.

Key to remember: EPA’s final HAP emissions rule for chemical manufacturing area sources adds new requirements for certain processing equipment and systems.

EPCRA inventory reports: A case study in federal, state, and local collaboration
2026-03-31T05:00:00Z

EPCRA inventory reports: A case study in federal, state, and local collaboration

Environmental regulations require many facilities to report annual inventories of the hazardous chemicals they use or store. Have you ever considered the impact that this information has beyond regulatory compliance? Reporting facilities, whether they realize it or not, serve an essential role in local emergency response planning.

The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Hazardous Chemical Inventory Reporting program under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) offers a prime example of how collaboration among the federal, state, local, and facility levels supports safer communities.

What’s EPCRA's inventory reporting program?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires facilities to keep Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) for any hazardous chemical used or stored in the workplace. Facilities that use or store the chemicals on-site at or above certain thresholds at any one time are subject to EPCRA’s Hazardous Chemical Inventory Reporting program. Regulated facilities must report information about the hazardous chemicals to the:

  • State Emergency Response Commission (SERC),
  • Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC), and
  • Local fire department.

What’s reported?

EPA’s EPCRA inventory program consists of two reporting requirements under Sections 311 and 312 of EPCRA.

SDSs/lists

Section 311 of EPCRA requires facilities to submit the SDSs for or a list of the hazardous chemicals used or stored on-site at or above the reporting thresholds to the SERC, LEPC, and local fire department.

SDSs usually include comprehensive information, such as:

  • The composition of ingredients,
  • Physical and health hazard information, and
  • First aid and firefighting measures.

If a facility opts to list the chemicals, it must group them by hazard categories and include each chemical’s name and any hazardous components as identified by the SDS. This is generally a one-time submission for each hazardous chemical. However, if a facility submits an SDS for a hazardous chemical and later discovers significant new information about it, the facility has to send an updated SDS to the SERC, LEPC, and local fire department.

Annual inventories

Under Section 312 of EPCRA, facilities must also submit an annual inventory (known as the Tier II inventory report) of the hazardous chemicals used or stored on-site at or above the reporting thresholds to the SERC, LEPC, and local fire department by March 1.

Facilities should check state regulations to confirm Tier II reporting thresholds, as they may be more stringent.

The Tier II inventory report requires information on the covered hazardous chemicals used or stored at the facility during the previous calendar year, including:

  • The locations of the chemicals,
  • The amounts of the chemicals, and
  • The potential hazards of the chemicals.

How do inventories support emergency planning?

Inventory reports provide information that’s vital to effective emergency response planning. Specifically, the inventories tell state and local officials about where hazardous chemical releases may occur and the risks that such releases may pose. Equipped with an accurate view of these hazards, officials can build and maintain effective emergency response plans for their communities.

Each participant in the emergency planning effort plays a distinct role:

  • Reporting facilities provide the SERCs, LEPCs, and local fire departments with the information they need to build effective response plans, such as the types of chemicals on-site and their quantities, locations, and possible hazards.
  • SERCs designate local emergency planning districts and appoint and supervise LEPCs. They also establish the inventory reporting procedures, review local emergency response plans, and process information requests from the public.
  • LEPCs use inventory reports to develop and update emergency response plans that address each community’s unique risks.
  • Local fire departments use the inventory reports to understand the potential chemical-related risks they may encounter at specific facilities. By knowing where the chemicals are and the potential hazards they pose, fire departments can improve personnel training and identify the most appropriate ways to respond to chemical emergencies.

Ultimately, reporting facilities aren’t just meeting a compliance requirement; they’re also supporting safer communities.

Key point: EPCRA’s hazardous chemical inventory requirements provide an example of effective collaboration between EPA, state and local officials, and facilities to prepare communities for chemical emergencies.

2026-03-27T05:00:00Z

Expert Insights: Four commonly overlooked categories in TRI reporting

Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) reporting can be tricky, even for seasoned EHS teams. Many facilities meet all the requirements but still miss chemicals that should be reported. Most oversights fall into four key categories. Here’s what they are and why they get missed, along with a few simple examples that show up in routine operations.

Newly added or updated TRI chemicals

The TRI list changes more often than many people realize. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regularly updates it and recently added new per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and even a full diisononyl phthalate (DINP) chemical category. When facilities don’t review these updates each year, they may keep using materials that now contain reportable chemicals without realizing it. For example, PFAS were expanded for Reporting Years 2024 and 2025, and the DINP category was added in 2023. These changes mean that everyday items like coatings, lubricants, and flexible plastics can suddenly trigger TRI thresholds.

“Otherwise used” chemicals

Not every reportable chemical is manufactured or processed. Many are simply “otherwise used,” including solvents, degreasers, cleaners, and maintenance chemicals. Facilities often overlook these because they aren’t part of the product mix, but they can add up fast. Even common shop chemicals, when used across a year, can exceed the 10,000-pound threshold and require reporting.

Coincidentally manufactured byproducts

Some chemicals are created unintentionally during normal operations. Ammonia may form during baking or heating steps, nitrates often appear in wastewater treatment, and metal compounds can be generated during welding, machining, or corrosion. These substances count as “manufactured” under TRI even if they weren’t intentionally manufactured. Examples like ammonia, nitrates, metal compounds, and diesel byproducts such as naphthalene and polycyclic aromatic compounds are regularly overlooked in TRI reporting because they’re easy to underestimate.

Impurities or additives in mixtures

Many reportable chemicals hide inside mixtures, oils, coatings, lubricants, and chemical blends. If a facility focuses only on the main ingredients, it may miss the smaller additive or impurity that’s actually subject to TRI reporting. These overlooked components can push a facility over a reporting threshold, even when the product is used in small amounts.

TRI oversights usually occur not because facilities ignore the rules but because chemicals show up in unexpected forms. Keeping an eye on updates, tracking cleaners and maintenance chemicals, monitoring byproducts, and checking mixtures closely can prevent the most common reporting mistakes.

The essential role of local governments in environmental regulation
2026-03-25T05:00:00Z

The essential role of local governments in environmental regulation

Counties and municipalities play a major role in protecting air, water, and land resources across the United States. Although federal and state agencies establish the overarching environmental framework, thousands of local agencies conduct the day to day permitting, inspections, and enforcement needed to make those rules work.

Local governments obtain regulatory authority largely through delegation. Federal environmental laws such as the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) allow the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to authorize state agencies, which may then rely on local entities to administer components of these programs. In many states, local districts, counties, or municipalities operate significant environmental programs directly under state authority.

Common local level programs

A strong example of local involvement can be seen in air quality management. The National Association of Clean Air Agencies (NACAA) reports that 117 local air agencies participate in implementing federal and state clean air programs, highlighting how implementation frequently happens at the local level.

EPA’s AirNow directory lists numerous local air quality agencies across the country; Examples include air pollution control districts in California (such as the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District, the San Francisco Bay Area Air Quality Management District, and the South Coast Air Quality Management District) as well as local air programs in Maricopa County, Arizona; Jacksonville, Florida; and Omaha, Nebraska. These districts conduct inspections, issue permits, investigate complaints, and maintain air monitoring networks, all of which support state and federal clean air requirements.

Local authority is also central to solid waste management, where many states rely heavily on counties and municipalities to manage planning, facilities, and enforcement. For instance, Washington State requires local governments to develop comprehensive solid and hazardous waste management plans that guide all waste handling and recycling programs within each county or city. These plans determine facility needs, outline reduction and recycling strategies, and shape local ordinances designed to meet state goals.

Additional examples appear across the country. Maryland’s Montgomery County, California’s Alameda County, and the District of Columbia all implement ambitious local waste diversion plans that supplement or exceed state requirements, demonstrating how counties and cities directly shape waste reduction and recycling policy. Likewise, South Carolina places most solid waste management responsibility on county governments, which must develop local plans, designate recycling coordinators, and report progress toward statewide goals.

Why is local involvement critical?

Local environmental regulatory authority matters because conditions vary widely across the nation. Counties and municipalities better understand their own industries, land uses, and growth patterns, allowing them to respond quickly to complaints, target outreach effectively, and adopt ordinances that go beyond state or federal minimums when necessary. Their proximity to communities makes local agencies essential partners in achieving environmental compliance and advancing public health protections.

As federal and state programs evolve, the role of local agencies continues to expand. Air quality districts, solid waste authorities, and local environmental health departments all demonstrate how counties and municipalities contribute directly to national environmental objectives.

Key to remember: With thousands of local agencies responsible for on the ground regulatory tasks, the strength and responsiveness of the United States’ environmental protection system depend heavily on the active engagement of local governments.

Toxics Release Inventory: Are you ready to report?
2026-03-24T05:00:00Z

Toxics Release Inventory: Are you ready to report?

Every year at the beginning of July, industrial facilities across the nation can breathe a collective sigh of relief — their annual inventories of toxic chemicals are complete! To ensure that your facility can be part of that celebration (and avoid a chaotic rush to meet the deadline), now’s the perfect time to start preparing for the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI).

The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) TRI program requires industrial facilities to report waste management data on certain toxic chemicals they manufacture, process, and use by July 1 each year. Is your facility ready to report? Here’s an overview of the TRI program to help you answer this question.

Who’s covered by TRI reporting?

Generally, TRI reporting applies if the facility:

  • Is in a covered industry sector (40 CFR 372.23);
  • Employs 10 or more full-time-equivalent employees; and
  • Manufactures, processes, or otherwise uses a covered chemical or chemical category (372.65) in quantities above the threshold levels (372.25, .27, and .28) in a given year.

TRI tip: The TRI reporting year (RY) reflects the calendar year covered by the report, not the year in which you submit the report. For example, TRI reports for RY 2025 are due by July 1, 2026.

What’s covered by TRI reporting?

Facilities must submit the TRI Form R (or the streamlined Form A Certification Statement if eligible) for each TRI-listed chemical manufactured, processed, or used during the previous calendar year. The data covers chemical waste management activities (including releases to the environment) and any actions taken to reduce or prevent chemical waste.

Facilities usually report for each chemical:

  • The quantities of releases (routine and accidental),
  • Any releases caused by catastrophic or other one-time events,
  • The maximum amount on-site during the year, and
  • The amount contained in wastes managed on-site or transferred off-site.

What’s new for RY 2025?

The TRI reports for RY 2025 contain three differences from previous years:

  • The de minimis level for anthracene was lowered from 1.0 percent to 0.1 percent. Anthracene’s Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number (CASRN) is 120-12-7.
  • More activity sub-use codes were added to the sub-use codes for “processing” and “otherwise use” activities.
  • Nine per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were added to the TRI chemical list:
EPA registry nameCASRN
6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate acid27619-97-2
6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate ammonium salt59587-39-2
6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate anion425670-75-3
6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate potassium salt59587-38-1
6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate sodium salt27619-94-9
Acetic acid, [(.gamma.-.omega.-perfluoro-C8-10-alkyl)thio] derivs., Bu esters3030471-22-5
Ammonium perfluorodecanoate3108-42-7
Perfluoro-3-methoxypropanoic acid377-73-1
Sodium perfluorodecanoate3830-45-3

How are TRI reports submitted?

Facilities must submit TRI reports electronically to the TRI-MEweb application on EPA’s Central Data Exchange (CDX). Even if a facility uses its own software to prepare TRI forms, it must upload and submit the forms to TRI-MEweb.

TRI tip: To complete the submission process on TRI-MEweb, you need to assign one user the Preparer role and another user the Certifying Official role. Ensure both users have added TRI-MEweb to their CDX user accounts.

TRI reports must be submitted to both EPA and the state. If your facility’s state participates in the TRI Data Exchange (TDX), TRI-MEweb will automatically send your report to the state. If your facility’s state doesn’t participate, you must send a hard copy of the report to the TRI state contact.

TRI tip: Use EPA’s “TRI Data Exchange” webpage to determine whether your facility’s state participates in TDX. As of March 2026, all 50 states participate in TDX. The District of Columbia doesn’t participate.

More TRI tips

Keep these things in mind when preparing your TRI reports:

  • You must submit a Form R (or Form A if eligible) for each TRI-listed chemical your facility manufactured, processed, or otherwise used above the threshold quantity.
  • TRI data is publicized. If a chemical’s identity needs to be protected, you have to submit substantiation forms to claim the chemical identity as a trade secret. EPA must approve the claims. Further, for each chemical with a trade secret claim, you have to mail hard copies of the substantiation forms and the corresponding Form Rs (or Form As if eligible) to EPA and the state.
  • EPA’s online GuideME platform offers comprehensive guidance for TRI reporting, including reporting forms and instructions, the TRI chemical list, and Q&As.
  • Contact the state environmental agency directly to confirm the submission method. EPA’s “TRI State Contacts” webpage contains state contact information.
  • Register your facility on CDX or ensure your facility’s CDX account is updated as soon as possible to avoid delays caused by technical issues.

Start preparing for TRI reporting now to give your facility plenty of time to gather data, complete the forms, and respond to unexpected issues that could arise. That way, your facility can breathe easily throughout the whole reporting season.

Key to remember: The submission deadline for TRI reporting is July 1, 2026. Make sure your facility is ready to report.

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Most Recent Highlights In Safety & Health

Final rule adds EtO emission limits to polyether polyol production
2026-03-19T05:00:00Z

Final rule adds EtO emission limits to polyether polyol production

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized major changes to the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for Polyether Polyols (PEPO) Production (PEPO NESHAP).

Who’s impacted?

The final rule applies to facilities that produce polyether polyols and are subject to the regulations at 40 CFR 63 Subpart PPP.

What are the changes?

EPA’s final rule establishes ethylene oxide (EtO) standards, updates maximum achievable control technology (MACT) requirements, and revises other provisions for the PEPO NESHAP.

EtO standards

The final rule adds EtO emission standards for:

  • Equipment leaks,
  • Heat exchange systems,
  • Process vents,
  • Storage vessels, and
  • Wastewater.

The standards set emission limits and add requirements for monitoring and leak repairs.

MACT standards

Further, the final rule:

  • Requires heat exchange systems to use the more sensitive Modified El Paso Method (also known as the Air Stripping Method) for quarterly monitoring and a leak definition of 6.2 parts per million by volume of total strippable hydrocarbon concentration (as methane) in the stripping gas,
  • Lowers the MACT control thresholds for batch process vents and storage vessels,
  • Updates the requirements for internal floating roof storage vessels,
  • Lowers the threshold for equipment leaks for valves in gas/vapor service or light liquid service, and
  • Requires transfer operations with loading operations that exceed a certain threshold to use a vapor balance system or reduce emissions.

Other standards

EPA’s final rule also:

  • Requires 5-year performance testing for process vent control devices;
  • Revises flare monitoring and operational requirements to ensure they meet the MACT standards at all times when controlling hazardous air pollutant (HAP) emissions;
  • Adds new monitoring requirements for pressure vessels to verify that no detectable emissions exist;
  • Clarifies that any bypass of a pollution control device for closed vent systems is a violation;
  • Aligns the requirements for surge control vessels and bottoms receivers with the process vent standards;
  • Adds butylene oxide to the definition of “epoxide” and the HAPs list;
  • Expands “affected source” to cover specific post-reaction processes; and
  • Finalizes work practice standards for maintenance vents and equipment openings, storage vessel degassing, and routine storage vessel maintenance.

However, EPA didn’t finalize the 2024 proposed rule’s addition of a fenceline monitoring program for EtO or its changes to the continuous process vent standard.

What’s the compliance timeline?

Facilities subject to the PEPO NESHAP must comply with the changes by March 18, 2029, or upon startup, whichever is later.

Key to remember: EPA’s final rule for polyether polyol emissions makes significant changes, such as establishing EtO limits and revising MACT standards.

Key questions in industrial stormwater compliance
2026-03-16T05:00:00Z

Key questions in industrial stormwater compliance

Industrial stormwater compliance can feel complex for facilities balancing operations, employees, and shifting permit requirements. Many questions center on the federal general permit, pollution prevention plan expectations, monitoring, and what to do in everyday situations where stormwater risks arise. The following sections summarize core topics and practical concerns.

What is the current status of the federal 2021 Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP)?

EPA issued the current MSGP in 2021, and it remains in effect beyond its February 28, 2026 expiration until EPA finalizes the proposed 2026 MSGP. Because the proposed 2026 permit is still under review, the 2021 MSGP continues to govern covered facilities.

Why has the proposed 2026 MSGP not taken effect?

EPA released the proposed 2026 MSGP in December 2024. Public comments, including an extended comment period ending May 19, 2025, must be reviewed before finalizing the permit. Since the existing MSGP remains valid until replaced, the 2021 permit stays in force while EPA completes its process.

What is a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)?

A SWPPP outlines how a facility prevents pollutants from reaching stormwater. It identifies pollutant sources, control measures, inspection routines, monitoring steps, and staff training. A SWPPP must be written before submitting a Notice of Intent (NOI) for permit coverage and updated when operations or stormwater risks change.

What are the requirements for authorized state stormwater permits?

Most states issue their own industrial stormwater permits modeled on the federal MSGP. These permits typically require:

  • Preparation and maintenance of a SWPPP;
  • Inspections and monitoring (such as benchmark, effluent, or visual monitoring);
  • Corrective actions when control measures fail; and
  • Reporting through state online systems.

States may add requirements based on local conditions. When EPA updates the MSGP, states often revise their permits to align with new federal standards.

Who needs coverage under the MSGP?

Industrial facilities that discharge stormwater to waters of the United States generally need permit coverage unless they qualify for a no‑exposure exclusion. The federal MSGP applies in areas where EPA, not the state, holds National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) authority.

How does a facility obtain coverage?

To obtain coverage, a facility must:

  • Prepare and implement a SWPPP;
  • Put pollution controls in place, such as good housekeeping and spill prevention;
  • Identify sector specific requirements based on the permit; and
  • Submit a Notice of Intent through EPA’s online system.

The proposed 2026 MSGP includes updated forms and appendices, but current requirements remain based on the 2021 version until a new permit is published.

What monitoring is required?

Under the 2021 MSGP, required monitoring may include:

  • Quarterly visual assessments,
  • Benchmark monitoring in designated years, and
  • Effluent limitations monitoring for specific regulated discharges.

The proposed 2026 MSGP would expand per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) sampling, increase benchmark monitoring frequency, and add requirements for impaired waters. These changes remain pending.

What happens if benchmark thresholds are exceeded?

A benchmark exceedance requires the facility to investigate causes, improve control measures, and document actions in the SWPPP. The proposed 2026 MSGP would formalize additional implementation measures and reporting steps, but these wouldn’t apply until the new permit takes effect.

What about common real world compliance scenarios?

Industrial stormwater issues often arise from everyday activities. Consider these examples:

Employees’ vehicles leaking oil in parking lots

Leaks from employee vehicles can contaminate stormwater. While the MSGP does not regulate personal vehicles directly, the facility is responsible for any pollutants that enter stormwater from its property. Good housekeeping practices include absorbent stations, spill kits, drip pans, and designated parking areas with routine inspection.

Nonroutine outdoor maintenance

Temporary outdoor activities such as conducting maintenance, unloading equipment, or staging materials, can introduce pollutants. The SWPPP should address nonroutine tasks by requiring temporary controls like tarps, containment pads, or scheduling activities during dry weather. Documentation of these activities is also part of good recordkeeping.

Outdoor waste storage or scrap piles

These materials should be covered or sheltered, kept away from storm drains, and inspected frequently. If runoff contacts industrial materials, the discharge becomes regulated and must be managed under the permit.

These scenarios reinforce the need for strong housekeeping practices, staff training, and prompt corrective actions.

What documentation must facilities keep?

Facilities must maintain monitoring records, inspection logs, SWPPP updates, and corrective action reports. EPA may request these documents at any time. Appendices in the proposed 2026 MSGP preview updated forms, but the 2021 requirements remain in place for now.

What should facilities do while waiting for the 2026 MSGP?

Facilities should continue full compliance with the 2021 MSGP, track regulatory updates, and prepare for more frequent monitoring and PFAS sampling likely included in the 2026 permit. Reviewing proposed changes now helps facilities plan needed SWPPP updates in advance.

Key to remember: Industrial facilities covered under the 2021 MSGP or a state equivalent must continue following that permit until EPA issues a new federal MSGP. Staying informed, maintaining strong housekeeping, and keeping SWPPP documentation current remain the most effective strategies for compliance.

Toxics Release Inventory: Are you ready to report?
2026-03-13T05:00:00Z

Toxics Release Inventory: Are you ready to report?

Every year at the beginning of July, industrial facilities across the nation can breathe a collective sigh of relief — their annual inventories of toxic chemicals are complete! To ensure that your facility can be part of that celebration (and avoid a chaotic rush to meet the deadline), now’s the perfect time to start preparing for the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI).

The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) TRI program requires industrial facilities to report waste management data on certain toxic chemicals they manufacture, process, and use by July 1 each year. Is your facility ready to report? Here’s an overview of the TRI program to help you answer this question.

Who’s covered by TRI reporting?

Generally, TRI reporting applies if the facility:

  • Is in a covered industry sector (40 CFR 372.23);
  • Employs 10 or more full-time-equivalent employees; and
  • Manufactures, processes, or otherwise uses a covered chemical or chemical category (372.65) in quantities above the threshold levels (372.25, .27, and .28) in a given year.

TRI tip: The TRI reporting year (RY) reflects the calendar year covered by the report, not the year in which you submit the report. For example, TRI reports for RY 2025 are due by July 1, 2026.

What’s covered by TRI reporting?

Facilities must submit the TRI Form R (or the streamlined Form A Certification Statement if eligible) for each TRI-listed chemical manufactured, processed, or used during the previous calendar year. The data covers chemical waste management activities (including releases to the environment) and any actions taken to reduce or prevent chemical waste.

Facilities usually report for each chemical:

  • The quantities of releases (routine and accidental),
  • Any releases caused by catastrophic or other one-time events,
  • The maximum amount on-site during the year, and
  • The amount contained in wastes managed on-site or transferred off-site.

What’s new for RY 2025?

The TRI reports for RY 2025 contain three differences from previous years:

  • The de minimis level for anthracene was lowered from 1.0 percent to 0.1 percent. Anthracene’s Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number (CASRN) is 120-12-7.
  • More activity sub-use codes were added to the sub-use codes for “processing” and “otherwise use” activities.
  • Nine per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were added to the TRI chemical list:

EPA registry nameCASRN
6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate acid27619-97-2
6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate ammonium salt59587-39-2
6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate anion425670-75-3
6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate potassium salt59587-38-1
6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate sodium salt27619-94-9
Acetic acid, [(.gamma.-.omega.-perfluoro-C8-10-alkyl)thio] derivs., Bu esters3030471-22-5
Ammonium perfluorodecanoate3108-42-7
Perfluoro-3-methoxypropanoic acid377-73-1
Sodium perfluorodecanoate3830-45-3

How are TRI reports submitted?

Facilities must submit TRI reports electronically to the TRI-MEweb application on EPA’s Central Data Exchange (CDX). Even if a facility uses its own software to prepare TRI forms, it must upload and submit the forms to TRI-MEweb.

TRI tip: To complete the submission process on TRI-MEweb, you need to assign one user the Preparer role and another user the Certifying Official role. Ensure both users have added TRI-MEweb to their CDX user accounts.

TRI reports must be submitted to both EPA and the state. If your facility’s state participates in the TRI Data Exchange (TDX), TRI-MEweb will automatically send your report to the state. If your facility’s state doesn’t participate, you must send a hard copy of the report to the TRI state contact.

TRI tip: Use EPA’s “TRI Data Exchange” webpage to determine whether your facility’s state participates in TDX. As of March 2026, all 50 states participate in TDX. The District of Columbia doesn’t participate.

More TRI tips

Keep these things in mind when preparing your TRI reports:

  • You must submit a Form R (or Form A if eligible) for each TRI-listed chemical your facility manufactured, processed, or otherwise used above the threshold quantity.
  • TRI data is publicized. If a chemical’s identity needs to be protected, you have to submit substantiation forms to claim the chemical identity as a trade secret. EPA must approve the claims. Further, for each chemical with a trade secret claim, you have to mail hard copies of the substantiation forms and the corresponding Form R (or Form A if eligible) to EPA and the state.
  • EPA’s online GuideME platform offers comprehensive guidance for TRI reporting, including reporting forms and instructions, the TRI chemical list, and Q&As.
  • Contact the state environmental agency directly to confirm the submission method. EPA’s “TRI State Contacts” webpage contains state contact information.
  • Register your facility on CDX or ensure your facility’s CDX account is updated as soon as possible to avoid delays caused by technical issues.

Start preparing for TRI reporting now to give your facility plenty of time to gather data, complete the forms, and respond to unexpected issues that could arise. That way, your facility can breathe easily throughout the whole reporting season.

Key to remember: The submission deadline for TRI reporting is July 1, 2026. Make sure your facility is ready to report.

EPA finalizes emission standards for large municipal waste combustors
2026-03-12T05:00:00Z

EPA finalizes emission standards for large municipal waste combustors

On March 10, 2026, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized emission regulations for large municipal waste combustors (LMWCs). The final rule revises nearly all emission limits for new and existing LMWCs.

Who’s impacted?

The final rule applies to LMWCs that combust more than 250 tons per day of municipal solid waste and are covered by the:

  • New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for new LMWCs, or
  • Emission Guidelines (EGs) for existing LMWCs.

EPA established new subparts for the amendments at 40 CFR Part 60, including:

  • Subpart VVVV for the NSPS, and
  • Subpart WWWW for the EGs.

What are the changes?

Generally, stricter emission limits apply. For all LMWCs (new and existing), the rule revises the emission limits for:

  • Cadmium,
  • Hydrogen chloride,
  • Lead,
  • Mercury,
  • Particulate matter,
  • Polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and dibenzofurans, and
  • Sulfur dioxide.

For all new LMWCs, the final rule revises the emission limits for carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxides (NOx). The final rule also amends the CO and NOx limits for all existing LMWCs, except for the CO limits for two subcategories of combustors and the NOx limits for two subcategories of combustors for new municipal solid waste incinerators.

Other major changes include:

  • Removing certain exclusions and exemptions for startups, shutdowns, and malfunctions (requiring LMWCs to meet emission standards at all times);
  • Removing the NOx emissions averaging compliance alternative for existing LMWCs;
  • Amending recordkeeping and reporting requirements; and
  • Eliminating Title V operating air permit requirements for qualifying air curtain incinerators that burn only wood waste, yard waste, and clean lumber.

What’s the compliance timeline?

When EPA updates EGs, states must revise their State Implementation Plans (SIPs) to incorporate the changes. States have to submit revised SIPs by March 10, 2027. Once EPA approves the SIP, facilities with existing LMWCs must meet the new standards either within 3 years of the SIP’s approval date or by March 10, 2031, whichever is earlier.

New LMWCs must comply with the amended NSPS by September 10, 2026, or upon startup, whichever is later.

Key to remember: EPA finalized stronger emission limits for new and existing large municipal waste combustors and made other changes to the standards.

EHS Monthly Round Up - February 2026

EHS Monthly Round Up - February 2026

In this Februrary 2026 roundup video, we'll discuss the most impactful environmental health and safety news.

Hi everyone! Welcome to the monthly news roundup video, where we’ll review the most impactful environmental health and safety news. Let’s take a look at what happened over the past month.

Fatal work injuries fell 4 percent in 2024, largely due to a decline in workplace drug- and alcohol-related overdoses. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, overdose fatalities fell from 512 in 2023 to 410 in 2024. Across all types of workplace incidents, there were 5,070 fatal work injuries in 2024, compared to 5,283 in 2023. Transportation incidents continue to be the most frequent type of fatal event, accounting for over 38 percent of all occupational fatalities in 2024.

OSHA is fast-tracking a proposal to remove the 2036 obligation to upgrade fall protection systems on fixed ladders that extend over 24 feet. This follows an industry petition from major chemical and petroleum industry groups, which argue the provision is unjustified, costly, and not supported by the rulemaking record. OSHA frames the upcoming proposed action as deregulatory, allowing employers to update fixed ladders at the end of their service lives. We’ll provide updates as more information becomes available.

As OSHA leans into “deregulatory” actions, lawmakers are moving to pressure the agency to issue “regulatory” rulemaking to protect American workers. The latest legislative wave of bills aims to fill regulatory gaps, tackle emerging hazards, expand OSHA authority, and raise penalties. Topics addressed by these bills include musculoskeletal disorders, heat stress, infectious diseases, wildfire smoke, and workplace violence.

In a recently issued letter of interpretation, OSHA states that a burn injury caused by a personal lithium-ion battery fire is work related if it occurs in the workplace during assigned working hours. The letter details an incident where an employee was burned when their rechargeable lithium-ion batteries for e-cigarettes sparked a fire after coming into contact with a key used for work.

A new report from the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General concludes that OSHA struggles to meet its mission, particularly in high-risk industries like healthcare, construction, and manufacturing. Several pages point to OSHA’s difficulties in effectively enforcing annual injury and illness reporting requirements, reaching the nation’s high-risk worksites for inspection, and addressing workplace violence by regulatory or other action.

Turning to environmental news, EPA extended the deadlines for Facility Evaluation Reports and related requirements for coal combustion residuals facilities. In most instances, the deadlines have been moved one or two years out.

And finally, EPA announced a final rule eliminating the 2009 Endangerment Finding and related greenhouse gas emission requirements for on-highway vehicles and vehicle engines. When the final rule takes effect, manufacturers and importers of new motor vehicles and motor vehicle engines will no longer have to measure, report, certify, or comply with federal greenhouse gas emission standards.

Thanks for tuning in to the monthly news roundup. We’ll see you next month!

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Most Recent Highlights In Human Resources

2026-03-06T06:00:00Z

Colorado adds landfill methane emission regulation

Effective date: February 14, 2026

This applies to: Open and closed municipal solid waste landfills

Description of change: The Colorado Air Quality Control Commission added Regulation 31, which establishes new emission control and monitoring requirements for municipal solid waste landfills. Applicability is based on the landfill’s amount of waste it holds and methane emissions.

Significant changes implemented by Regulation 31 include:

  • Establishing a stricter emission control threshold than federal standards so that more landfills must install gas collection and control systems,
  • Mandating closed landfills with emission combustion devices to install biofilters when the devices are removed,
  • Expanding the methane monitoring requirements (allowing additional monitoring tools for identifying large emission sources) and allowing alternative monitoring technologies for periodic monitoring, and
  • Phasing in a ban on open flares to replace them with enclosed flares.

Related state info: Clean air operating permits state comparison

2026-03-06T06:00:00Z

Louisiana amends Voluntary Environmental Self-Audit Program

Effective date: January 20, 2026

This applies to: Participating entities

Description of change: The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) revised the Voluntary Environmental Self-Audit Program rules in January 2026. Some of the changes include:

  • Adding definitions,
  • Changing the timeline to notify LDEQ of violations from 45 days within discovery to 30 days after the end of the audit, and
  • Requiring participants to submit monthly progress reports if corrective actions take longer than 90 days.
2026-03-06T06:00:00Z

Delaware revises 2026 NPDES general construction permit

Effective date: March 11, 2026

This applies to: Construction activities that discharge stormwater into Waters of the State

Description of change: The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) revised the Delaware National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Construction General Permit (CGP), which implements the DNREC Sediment and Stormwater Management Program.

It applies to construction activities that plan to disturb 1 or more acres (or activities that plan to disturb less than 1 acre but are part of a larger common plan of development or sale that will disturb more than 1 acre) that discharge stormwater to Waters of the State.

The DNREC made minimal changes to the NPDES CGP. The 2026 NPDES CGP will provide coverage for 5 years.

Related state info: Construction water permitting — Delaware

2026-03-06T06:00:00Z

California updates water diversion regulations

Effective date: February 1, 2026

This applies to: Water right holders who divert more than 10 acre-feet per year

Description of change: The California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) updated the Water Measurement and Reporting Regulation (SB 88) with changes primarily affecting reporting requirements, such as:

  • Requiring diverters to submit data to the SWRCB using a template or the online reporting platform CalWATRS,
  • Requiring large diverters to submit data to CalWATRS instead of posting it to any public website,
  • Requiring diverters to identify and report measurement locations, and
  • Requiring diverters to submit their measurement methodologies.

Updated measuring and reporting requirements take effect on October 1, 2026.

EPA proposes electronic-only hazardous waste manifests
2026-03-06T06:00:00Z

EPA proposes electronic-only hazardous waste manifests

On March 5, 2026, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a proposed rule to end the use of paper hazardous waste manifests and require waste handlers to use electronic manifests on the Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest (e-Manifest) System to track all shipments of hazardous waste regulated under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).

What are the proposed changes?

EPA proposes to “sunset” (i.e., phase out) the use of paper manifests and shift to using only electronic manifests (either fully electronic or hybrid) to track RCRA hazardous waste shipments.

The sunset compliance date would be 2 years from the publication date of a final rule. On and after the sunset compliance date, EPA would no longer accept paper hazardous waste manifests (image-only and data-plus-image submission types). In other words, regulated waste handlers would have to use fully electronic or hybrid manifests on the e-Manifest System for all hazardous waste shipments initiated on and after the sunset compliance date.

Who would be impacted?

The proposed rule would affect waste handlers involved in manifesting hazardous waste, including:

  • Generators,
  • Transporters, and
  • Receiving facilities.

Many of the proposed changes would align RCRA regulations with the shift to electronic-only manifesting and with the 2024 e-Manifest Third Rule’s changes. The proposed rule also contains technical corrections to import and export regulations.

Additionally, EPA’s proposed rule would add requirements for:

  • Very small quantity generators (VSQGs) managing episodic events,
  • RCRA hazardous waste transporters,
  • Healthcare facilities and reverse distributors subject to RCRA’s hazardous waste pharmaceutical requirements,
  • Certain polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) waste generators,
  • PCB waste transporters, and
  • Hazardous waste treatment or storage facilities with standardized RCRA permits.

Examples of these requirements include:

  • Mandating specific waste handlers to register with the e-Manifest System;
  • Requiring VSQGs, healthcare facilities, and reverse distributors to submit data corrections to the e-Manifest System within 30 days of a request from EPA or an authorized state; and
  • Requiring hazardous waste generators and PCB waste generators to identify brokers on the manifest.

EPA will accept public comments on the proposed rule (Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OLEM-2025-3456) through May 4, 2026.

Key to remember: EPA proposes to end the use of paper manifests and require waste handlers to use electronic manifests to track all RCRA hazardous waste shipments.

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New Network Poll
Required General Industry OSHA Medical Surveillance Requirements At-A-Glance

Required General Industry OSHA Medical Surveillance Requirements At-A-Glance

Workers exposed to regulated substances in the workplace (e.g., lead, silica, asbestos) have an elevated risk for occupational diseases. OSHA requires employers to screen these workers for potential exposures with a focus on early detection of illness.

Medical surveillance is a systematic, complex process that looks for problems in the workplace identified by looking at abnormal screening results. Medical screening is one component of medical surveillance that assists with analyzing work group trends.

OSHA’s requirements rely on clinical reviews of an employee’s work history, medical history, physical assessment, and biological testing. Employers must provide medical examinations under the supervision of a licensed physician, without cost to employees, without loss of pay, and at a reasonable time and place. Records must be maintained in the strictest confidence to protect individual employee privacy.

This table summarizes OSHA’s general industry regulations that contain medical surveillance requirements; it does not cover EPA or other agency requirements.

*Have a Training Management Center Account already? Click the training links below to view our applicable training for the topic.

1910.95 Occupational noise exposure
Who:Employees whose occupational noise exposure equals or exceeds 85 decibels over an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA).
Frequency:Audiograms.
  • Baseline audiogram must be given within 6 months of an employee’s exposure at or above the action level (85 decibels over an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA)).
  • Annual audiogram must be offered thereafter.
Mobile test van exception. Where mobile test vans are used to meet the audiometric testing obligation, employers must obtain a valid baseline audiogram within 1 year of an employee’s first exposure at or above the action level.
Records:Audiometric test records. Must be kept for the duration of the affected employee’s employment, and include:
  • Name and job classification of employee,
  • Date of audiogram,
  • Examiner’s name,
  • Date of the last acoustic or exhaustive calibration of the audiometer, and
  • Employee’s most recent noise exposure assessment.

Noise exposure measurement records. Must be kept for 2 years.
Training links:
1910.120 Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER)
Who:
  • All employees who are or may be exposed to hazardous substances or health hazards at or above the permissible exposure limits (PEL) or, if there is no PEL, above the published exposure levels for these substances, without regard to the use of respirators, for 30 days or more a year [1910.120(f)(2)(i)];
  • All employees who wear a respirator for 30 days or more a year or as required by 1910.134 [1910.120(f)(2)(ii)];
  • All employees who are injured, become ill, or develop signs or symptoms due to possible overexposure involving hazardous substances or health hazards from an emergency response or hazardous waste operation [1910.120(f)(2)(iii)]; and
  • Members of HAZMAT teams [1910.120(f)(2)(iv)].
Frequency:For employees covered under paragraphs (f)(2)(i), (f)(2)(ii), and (f)(2)(iv) [see above entry], medical examinations and consultations must be made available:
  • Prior to assignment;
  • At least once every 12 months for each employee covered unless the attending physician believes a longer interval (not greater than biennially) is appropriate;
  • As soon as possible upon notification by an employee that the employee has developed signs or symptoms indicating possible overexposure to hazardous substances or health hazards, or that the employee has been injured or exposed above the permissible exposure limits or published exposure levels in an emergency situation; and
  • At termination of employment or reassignment to an area where the employee would not be covered if the employee has not had an examination within the last 6 months;
  • At more frequent times, if the examining physician determines that an increased frequency of examination is medically necessary.

For employees covered under 1910.120(f)(2)(iii) [see above entry] and for all employees including those of employers covered by 1910.120(a)(1)(v) who may have been injured, received a health impairment, developed signs or symptoms which may have resulted from exposure to hazardous substances resulting from an emergency incident, or exposed during an emergency incident to hazardous substances at concentrations above the permissible exposure limits or the published exposure levels without the necessary personal protective equipment being used:
  • As soon as possible following the emergency incident or development of signs or symptoms, and
  • At additional times, if the examining physician determines that follow-up examinations or consultations are medically necessary.
Records:Medical surveillance records. Must be kept for at least the duration of employment plus 30 years, and include:
  • The name of the employee;
  • Physician’s written opinions, recommended limitations, and results of examinations and tests;
  • Any employee medical complaints related to exposure to hazardous substances;
  • A copy of the information provided to the examining physician by the employer, with the exception of the standard and its appendices.
1910.134 Respiratory protection
Who:Employees required to use a respirator in the workplace.
Frequency:Medical evaluation. Must be provided before an employee is fit tested or required to use a respirator in the workplace, to determine employee’s ability to wear a respirator.

Additional medical evaluations. Must be provided if:
  • An employee reports medical signs or symptoms that are related to ability to use a respirator;
  • A physician or other licensed health care professional (PLHCP), supervisor, or the respirator program administrator informs the employer that an employee needs to be reevaluated;
  • Information from the respiratory protection program, including observations made during fit testing and program evaluation, indicates a need for employee reevaluation; or
  • A change occurs in workplace conditions (e.g., physical work effort, protective clothing, temperature) that may result in a substantial increase in the physiological burden placed on an employee.

Medical evaluations may be discontinued when the employee is no longer required to use a respirator.
Records:Medical evaluation records. Must be kept for at least the duration of employment plus 30 years.
1910.1001 Asbestos
Who:Employees who are or will be exposed to airborne concentrations of fibers of asbestos at or above the time-weighted average (TWA) and/or excursion limit.

TWA. Airborne concentration of asbestos in excess of 0.1 fiber per cubic centimeter of air as an 8-hour TWA.

Excursion limit. Airborne concentration of asbestos in excess of 1.0 fiber per cubic centimeter of air (1 f/cc) as averaged over a sampling period of 30 minutes.
Frequency:Pre-placement examinations. Must be provided or made available before an employee is assigned to an occupation exposed to airborne concentrations of asbestos fibers at or above the TWA and/or excursion limit.

Periodic examinations. Must be made available annually.

Termination of employment examinations. Must be provided or made available and given within 30 calendar days before or after the date of termination of employment.

Recent examinations. No medical examination is required of any employee, if adequate records show that the employee has been examined in accordance with pre-placement, periodic, or termination examination requirements within the past 1-year period. A pre-employment medical examination which was required as a condition of employment by the employer, may not be used to meet the requirements of a recent examination, unless the cost of that examination is borne by the employer.
Records:Exposure measurements. Must be kept for at least 30 years and include:
  • The date of measurement;
  • The operation involving exposure to asbestos which is being monitored;
  • Sampling and analytical methods used and evidence of their accuracy;
  • Number, duration, and results of samples taken;
  • Type of respiratory protective devices worn, if any; and
  • Name and exposure of the employees whose exposure are represented.

Medical surveillance records. Must be kept for the duration of employment plus 30 years and include:
  • The name of the employee,
  • Physician’s written opinions,
  • Any employee medical complaints related to exposure to asbestos, and
  • A copy of the information provided to the physician.
1910.1003 13 Carcinogens (1910.1003 through 1910.1016)
Who:Employees considered for assignment to enter regulated areas, and for authorized employees.

Regulated area. An area where entry and exit are restricted and controlled.

Authorized employees. Employees whose duties require them to be in the regulated area and who have been specifically assigned by the employer.
Frequency:Pre-assignment physical evaluation. Must be provided before an employee is assigned to enter a regulated area.

Periodic physical examination. Must be provided at least annually following the pre-assignment examination.
Records:Medical examination records. Must be complete and accurate and kept for the duration of the employee’s employment.
1910.1017 Vinyl chloride
Who:Each employee exposed, without regard to the use of respirators, to vinyl chloride in excess of the action level.

Action level. A concentration of vinyl chloride of 0.5 ppm averaged over an 8-hour work day.
Frequency:Medical examinations. Must be provided:
  • At the time of initial assignment or upon institution of medical surveillance,
  • At least annually thereafter,
  • To employees exposed to an emergency.
Records:Monitoring and measuring records. Must:
  • State the date of such monitoring and measuring and the concentrations determined and identify the instruments and methods used, and
  • Include any additional information necessary to determine individual employee exposures where such exposures are determined by means other than individual monitoring of employees.

Medical records. Must be kept for the duration of the employment of each employee plus 20 years, or 30 years, whichever is longer.

All records. Must include the name of each employee where relevant and be kept for not less than 30 years.
1910.1018 Inorganic arsenic
Who:
  • All employees who are or will be exposed above the action level, without regard to the use of respirators, at least 30 days per year; and
  • All employees who have been exposed above the action level, without regard to respirator use, for 30 days or more per year for a total of 10 years or more of combined employment with the employer or predecessor employers.

Action level. A concentration of inorganic arsenic of 5 micrograms per cubic meter of air (5 µg/m3) averaged over any 8-hour period.
Frequency:Initial examination. At the time of initial assignment to an area where the employee is likely to be exposed over the action level at least 30 days per year.

Periodic examination. Must be provided at least annually.

Termination examination. Whenever a covered employee has not taken a periodic examination within 6 months preceding the termination of employment, the employer must provide such examination to the employee upon termination of employment.

Additional examination. If the employee develops signs or symptoms commonly associated with exposure to inorganic arsenic the employer must provide an appropriate examination and emergency medical treatment.
Records:Exposure monitoring records. Must be kept for at least 40 years or for the duration of employment plus 20 years, whichever is longer, and include:
  • The date(s), number, duration location, and results of each of the samples taken, including a description of the sampling procedure used to determine representative employee exposure where applicable;
  • A description of the sampling and analytical methods used and evidence of their accuracy;
  • The type of respiratory protective devices worn, if any;
  • The environmental variables that could affect the measurement of the employee’s exposure.
  • Name and job classification of the employees monitored and of all other employees whose exposure the measurement is intended to represent; and

Medical surveillance records. Must be kept for at least 40 years or for the duration of employment plus 20 years, whichever is longer, and include:
  • The name and description of duties of the employee;
  • A copy of the physician’s written opinions;
  • Results of any exposure monitoring done for that employee and the representative exposure levels supplied to the physician; and
  • Any employee medical complaints related to exposure to inorganic arsenic.

Additional records. The employer must keep (or assure the examining physician keeps) the following medical records for at least 40 years, or for the duration of employment plus 20 years, whichever is longer:
  • A copy of the medical examination results including medical and work history;
  • A description of the laboratory procedures and a copy of any standards or guidelines used to interpret the test results or references to that information;
  • The initial X-ray;
  • Any X-rays with a demonstrated abnormality and all subsequent X-rays.
  • The X-rays for the most recent 5 years; and
1910.1024 Beryllium
Who:Employees who:
  • Are or are reasonably expected to be exposed at or above the action level for more than 30 days per year,
  • Show signs or symptoms of chronic beryllium disease (CBD) or other beryllium-related health effects,
  • Are exposed to beryllium during an emergency, or
  • Whose most recent written medical opinion required by 1910.1024(k)(6) or (k)(7) recommends periodic medical surveillance.

Action level. A concentration of airborne beryllium of 0.1 micrograms per cubic meter of air (μg/m3) calculated as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA).

Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs):

Time-weighted average (TWA) PEL. An airborne concentration of beryllium in excess of 0.2 μg/m3 calculated as an 8-hour TWA.

Short-term exposure limit (STEL). An airborne concentration of beryllium in excess of 2.0 μg/m3 as determined over a sampling period of 15 minutes.
Frequency:Medical examinations. Must be provided within 30 days and at least every 2 years thereafter.
Records:Air monitoring data. Employers must make and maintain a record of all exposure measurements taken to assess airborne exposure and maintain them for at least 30 years. The records must include at least:
  • The date of measurement for each sample taken;
  • The task that is being monitored;
  • The sampling and analytical methods used and evidence of their accuracy;
  • The number, duration, and results of samples taken;
  • The type of personal protective clothing and equipment, including respirators, worn by monitored employees at the time of monitoring; and
  • The name and job classification of each employee represented by the monitoring, indicating which employees were actually monitored.

Medical surveillance records. Must be kept for at least 30 years and include:
  • Name and job classification;
  • A copy of all licensed physicians’ written medical opinions for each employee; and
  • A copy of the information provided to the PLHCP.
1910.1025 Lead
Who:Employees who are or may be exposed at or above the action level for more than 30 days per year.

Action level. Employee exposure, without regard to the use of respirators, to an airborne concentration of lead of 30 micrograms per cubic meter of air (30 µg/m3) averaged over an 8-hour period.
Frequency:Biological monitoring. Blood lead and zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) level sampling and analysis must be made available:
  • At least every 6 months to each covered employee.
  • At least monthly during the removal period of each employee removed from exposure to lead due to an elevated blood lead level.
  • At least every 2 months for each employee whose last blood sampling and analysis indicated a blood lead level at or above 40 µg/100 g of whole blood. This frequency must continue until two consecutive blood samples and analyses indicate a blood lead level below 40 µg/100 g of whole blood; and

Follow-up blood sampling tests. Whenever the results of a blood lead level test indicate that an employee’s blood lead level is at or above the numerical criterion for medical removal under paragraph (k)(1)(i)(A) of 1910.1025, the employer must provide a second (follow-up) blood sampling test within 2 weeks after the employer receives the results of the first blood sampling test.

Medical examinations and consultations. Must be made available:
  • At least annually for each employee for whom a blood sampling test conducted at any time during the preceding 12 months indicated a blood lead level at or above 40 µg/100 g;
  • Prior to assignment for each employee being assigned for the first time to an area in which airborne concentrations of lead are at or above the action level;
  • As soon as possible, upon notification by an employee either that the employee has developed signs or symptoms commonly associated with lead intoxication, that the employee desires medical advice concerning the effects of current or past exposure to lead on the employee’s ability to procreate a healthy child, or that the employee has demonstrated difficulty in breathing during a respirator fitting test or during use; and
  • As medically appropriate for each employee either removed from exposure to lead due to a risk of sustaining material impairment to health, or otherwise limited pursuant to a final medical determination.
Records:Exposure monitoring records. Must be kept for at least 40 years or for the duration of employment plus 20 years, whichever is longer, and include:
  • The date(s), number, duration, location and results of each of the samples taken, including a description of the sampling procedure used to determine representative employee exposure where applicable;
  • A description of the sampling and analytical methods used and evidence of their accuracy;
  • The type of respiratory protective devices worn, if any;
  • The environmental variables that could affect the measurement of employee exposure.
  • Name and job classification of the employee monitored and of all other employees whose exposure the measurement is intended to represent; and

Medical surveillance. Must be kept for the duration of employment plus 30 years and include:
  • The name and description of the duties of the employee;
  • A copy of the physician’s written opinions;
  • Results of any airborne exposure monitoring done for that employee and the representative exposure levels supplied to the physician; and
  • Any employee medical complaints related to exposure to lead.

Medical records. Must be kept by the employer or the examining physician for at least 40 years, or for the duration of employment plus 20 years, whichever is longer, and include:
  • A copy of the medical examination results including medical and work history,
  • A description of the laboratory procedures and a copy of any standards or guidelines used to interpret the test results or references to that information, and
  • A copy of the results of biological monitoring.

Medical removal records for employees removed from current exposure to lead. Must be kept for at least the duration of an employee’s employment and include:
  • The name of the employee,
  • The date on each occasion that the employee was removed from current exposure to lead as well as the corresponding date on which the employee was returned to his or her former job status,
  • A brief explanation of how each removal was or is being accomplished, and
  • A statement with respect to each removal indicating whether or not the reason for the removal was an elevated blood lead level.
1910.1026 Chromium (VI)
Who:Employees who:
  • Are or may be occupationally exposed to chromium (VI) ‒ commonly referred to as hexavalent chromium ‒ at or above the action level for 30 or more days a year,
  • Experience signs or symptoms of the adverse health effects associated with chromium (VI) exposure, or
  • Are exposed in an emergency.

Action level. A concentration of airborne chromium (VI) of 2.5 micrograms per cubic meter of air (2.5 µgm/m3) calculated as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA).

Permissible exposure limit (PEL). An airborne concentration of chromium (VI) in excess of 5 micrograms per cubic meter of air (5 µgm/m3), calculated as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA).
Frequency:Medical examinations. Must be provided:
  • Within 30 days after initial assignment, unless the employee has received a chromium (VI) related medical examination that meets the requirements of 1910.1026(k) within the last 12 months;
  • Annually;
  • Within 30 days after a physician or other license healthcare professional’s (PLHCP) written medical opinion recommends an additional examination;
  • Whenever an employee shows signs or symptoms of the adverse health effects associated with chromium (VI) exposure;
  • Within 30 days after exposure during an emergency which results in an uncontrolled release of chromium (VI); or
  • At the termination of employment, unless the last examination that satisfied the requirements of 1910.1026(k) was less than 6 months prior to the date of termination.
Records:Air monitoring data. Must be kept for at least 30 years and include:
  • The date of measurement for each sample taken;
  • The operation involving exposure to chromium (VI) that is being monitored;
  • Sampling and analytical methods used and evidence of their accuracy;
  • Number, duration, and the results of samples taken;
  • Type of personal protective equipment, such as respirators worn; and
  • Name and job classification of all employees represented by the monitoring, indicating which employees were actually monitored.

Historical monitoring data. Where the employer has relied on historical monitoring data to determine exposure to chromium (VI), these records must be kept for at least 30 years and include:
  • The data were collected using methods that meet the accuracy requirements of 1910.1026(d)(5);
  • The processes and work practices that were in use when the historical monitoring data were obtained are essentially the same as those to be used during the job for which exposure is being determined;
  • The characteristics of the chromium (VI) containing material being handled when the historical monitoring data were obtained are the same as those on the job for which exposure is being determined;
  • Environmental conditions prevailing when the historical monitoring data were obtained are the same as those on the job for which exposure is being determined; and
  • Other data relevant to the operations, materials, processing, or employee exposures covered by the exception.

Objective data. An accurate record of all objective data relied upon to comply with the requirements of 1910.1026 must be kept for 30 years and include:
  • The chromium containing material in question;
  • The source of the objective data;
  • The testing protocol and results of testing, or analysis of the material for the release of chromium (VI);
  • A description of the process, operation, or activity and how the data support the determination; and
  • Other data relevant to the process, operation, activity, material, or employee exposures.

Medical surveillance records. Must be kept for 30 years and include:
  • Name;
  • A copy of the PLHCP’s written opinions; and
  • A copy of the information provided to the PLHCP.
1910.1027 Cadmium
Who:
  • Employees who are or may be exposed to cadmium at or above the action level unless the employer demonstrates that the employee is not, and will not be, exposed at or above the action level on 30 or more days per year (12 consecutive months); and
  • Employees who prior to the effective date of 1910.1027 (Sept. 14, 1992) might previously have been exposed to cadmium at or above the action level by the employer, unless the employer demonstrates that the employee did not prior to Sept. 14, 1992, work for the employer in jobs with exposure to cadmium for an aggregated total of more than 60 months.

Action level. An airborne concentration of cadmium of 2.5 micrograms per cubic meter of air (2.5 µg/m3), calculated as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA).
Frequency:Initial (preplacement) examinations. Must be provided within 30 days after initial assignment to a job with exposure to cadmium.

Recent examinations. An initial examination is not required to be provided if adequate records show that the employee was examined in accordance with the requirements of paragraph (l)(2)(ii) of 1910.1027 within the past 12 months. In that case, such records must be maintained as part of the employee’s medical record and the prior exam must be treated as if it were an initial examination for the purposes of paragraphs (l)(3) and (4) of 1910.1027.

Periodic medical surveillance. Must be provided within 1 year after the initial examination and thereafter at least biennially. Biological sampling must be provided at least annually, either as part of a periodic medical examination or separately as periodic biological monitoring.

Examination for respirator use. Must be provided prior to the employee’s being assigned to a job that requires the use of a respirator, to any employee without a medical examination within the preceding 12 months that satisfies the requirements of 1910.1027(l)(6)(i).

Emergency examinations. Must be provided as soon as possible to any employee who may have been acutely exposed to cadmium because of an emergency.

Termination of employment examinations. At termination of employment, the employer must provide a medical examination in accordance with paragraph (l)(4)(ii) of 1910.1027, to any employee to whom at any prior time the employer was required to provide medical surveillance. If the last examination satisfied the requirements of paragraph (l)(4)(ii) and was less than 6 months prior to the date of termination, no further examination is required unless otherwise specified in paragraphs (l)(3) or (l)(5).

If the employer has discontinued all periodic medical surveillance under paragraph 1910.1027(l)(4)(v), no termination of employment medical examination is required.
Records:Medical surveillance records. Must be kept for the duration of employment plus 30 years, and include:
  • Name and description of the duties;
  • A copy of the physician’s written opinions and an explanation sheet for biological monitoring results;
  • A copy of the medical history, and the results of any physical examination and all test results that are required to be provided by 1910.1027, including biological tests, X-rays, pulmonary function tests, etc., or that have been obtained to further evaluate any condition that might be related to cadmium exposure;
  • The employee’s medical symptoms that might be related to exposure to cadmium; and
  • A copy of the information provided to the physician.
1910.1028 Benzene
Who:Employees who:
  • Are or may be exposed to benzene at or above the action level 30 or more days per year;
  • Are or may be exposed to benzene at or above the permissible exposure limits (PELs) 10 or more days per year;
  • Have been exposed to more than 10 ppm of benzene for 30 or more days in a year prior to the effective date of the standard when employed by their current employer; and
  • Are involved in the tire building operations called tire building machine operators, who use solvents containing greater than 0.1 percent benzene.

Action level. An airborne concentration of benzene of 0.5 ppm calculated as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA).

PELs:

Time-weighted average limit (TWA). An airborne concentration of benzene in excess of one part of benzene per million parts of air (1 ppm) as an 8-hour TWA.

Short-term exposure limit (STEL). An airborne concentration of benzene in excess of 5 ppm as averaged over any 15-minute period.
Frequency:Initial examinations. Before the time of initial assignment.

Periodic examinations. At least annually following the initial examination.

Emergency examinations. If an employee is exposed to benzene in an emergency situation, the employer must have the employee provide a urine sample at the end of the employee’s shift and have a urinary phenol test performed on the sample within 72 hours.
Records:Exposure measurements. Must be kept for at least 30 years and include:
  • The dates, number, duration, and results of each of the samples taken, including a description of the procedure used to determine representative employee exposures;
  • A description of the sampling and analytical methods used;
  • A description of the type of respiratory protective devices worn, if any; and
  • The name, job classification, and exposure levels of the employee monitored and all other employees whose exposure the measurement is intended to represent.

Medical surveillance records. Must be kept for the duration of employment plus 30 years, and include:
  • The name of the employee;
  • The employer’s copy of the physician’s written opinion on the initial, periodic and special examinations, including results of medical examinations and all tests, opinions and recommendations;
  • Any employee medical complaints related to exposure to benzene;
  • A copy of the information provided to the physician; and
  • A copy of the employee’s medical and work history related to exposure to benzene or any other hematologic toxins.
1910.1029 Coke oven emissions
Who:Employees who are employed in a regulated area at least 30 days per year.

Regulated area. An area defined at 1910.1029(d) with access limited to authorized persons.

Permissible exposure limit. Employees in the regulated area must not be exposed to coke oven emissions at concentrations greater than 150 micrograms per cubic meter of air (150 µg/m3), averaged over any 8-hour period.
Frequency:Initial examinations. Must be provided at the time of initial assignment to a regulated area or upon the institution of the medical surveillance program.

Periodic examinations. Must be provided at least annually.
Records:Medical surveillance records. Must include:
  • Name and description of duties of the employee,
  • A copy of the physician’s written opinion,
  • The signed statement of any refusal to take a medical examination, and
  • Any employee medical complaints related to exposure to coke oven emissions.

Medical records. The employer must keep, or assure that the examining physician keeps:
  • A copy of the medical examination results including medical and work history,
  • The initial x-ray,
  • A description of the laboratory procedures used and a copy of any standards or guidelines used to interpret the test results,
  • The x-rays for the most recent 5 years,
  • Any x-ray with a demonstrated abnormality and all subsequent x-rays,
  • The initial cytologic examination slide and written description,
  • The cytologic examination slide and written description for the most recent 10 years, and
  • Any cytologic examination slides with demonstrated atypia, if such atypia persists for 3 years, and all subsequent slides and written descriptions.

All medical records and medical surveillance records. Must be kept for at least 40 years, or for the duration of employment plus 20 years, whichever is longer.
1910.1030 Bloodborne pathogens
Who:Employees with occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens, as defined at 1910.1030(b).
Frequency:Hepatitis B vaccine and vaccination series. Must be offered to all employees with occupational exposure.

Post-exposure evaluation and follow-up. Must be made immediately available to all employees who have had an exposure incident.
Records:Medical records. Must be kept for the duration of employment plus 30 years and include:
  • The name of the employee;
  • A copy of the employee’s hepatitis B vaccination status including the dates of all the hepatitis B vaccinations and any medical records relative to the employee’s ability to receive vaccination;
  • The employer’s copy of the healthcare professional’s written opinion; and
  • A copy of all results of examinations, medical testing, and follow-up procedures;
  • A copy of the information provided to the healthcare professional.
1910.1043 Cotton dust
Who:Employees exposed to cotton dust.

Action levels:

Yarn manufacturing and cotton washing operations: Airborne concentration of lint-free respirable cotton dust of 100 µg/m3 mean concentration, averaged over an 8-hour period, as measured by a vertical elutriator or an equivalent instrument.

Waste houses for textile operations: Airborne concentration of lint-free respirable cotton dust of 250 µg/m3 mean concentration, averaged over an 8-hour period, as measured by a vertical elutriator or an equivalent instrument.

Textile processes known as slashing and weaving: Airborne concentration of lint-free respirable cotton dust of 375 µg/m3 mean concentration, averaged over an 8-hour period, as measured by a vertical elutriator or an equivalent instrument.
Frequency:Initial examinations. Must be provided to each employee who is or may be exposed to cotton dust. New employees must be provided an examination prior to initial assignment.

Periodic examinations. Must be provided:
  • At least annually for all employees exposed to cotton dust above the action level in yarn manufacturing, slashing and weaving, cotton washing and waste house operations
  • At least every 2 years for all employees exposed to cotton dust at or below the action level, for all employees exposed to cotton dust from washed cotton (except from washed cotton defined in 1910.1043(n)(3)), and for all employees exposed to cotton dust in cottonseed processing and waste processing operations.
Records:Medical records. Must be kept for at least 20 years and include:
  • The name and description of the duties of the employee;
  • A copy of the medical examination results including the medical history, questionnaire response, results of all tests, and the physician’s recommendation;
  • A copy of the physician’s written opinion;
  • Any employee medical complaints related to exposure to cotton dust;
  • A copy of 1910.1043 and its appendices, except that employers may keep one copy of the standard and the appendices for all employees, provided that they reference 1910.1043 and appendices in the medical surveillance record of each employee; and
  • A copy of the information provided to the physician.
1910.1044 – 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane
Who:Employees who work in regulated areas and those who are subjected to DBCP exposures in an emergency situation. Regulated areas are those where DBCP concentrations are in excess of the permissible exposure limit (PEL).

PEL:

Inhalation. Airborne concentration of DBCP in excess of 1 part DBCP per billion parts of air (ppb) as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA).

Dermal and eye exposure. No employee must be exposed to skin or eye contact with DBCP.
Frequency:Medical examinations. Must be provided at the time of initial assignment and annually thereafter.
Records:Medical records. Must be kept for at least 40 years or the duration of employment plus 20 years, whichever is longer, and include:
  • The name of the employee,
  • A copy of the physician’s written opinion,
  • Any employee medical complaints related to exposure to DBCP,
  • A copy of the information provided the physician, and
  • A copy of the employee’s medical and work history.
1910.1045 Acrylonitrile
Who:Employees who are or will be exposed to AN at or above the action level, without regard to the use of respirators.

Action level. A concentration of AN of 1 ppm as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA).
Frequency:Initial examinations. Must be provided at the time of initial assignment or upon institution of the medical surveillance program.

Periodic examinations. Must be provided at least annually. If an employee has not had the initial examination within 6 months preceding termination of employment, the employer must make such examination available to the employee prior to termination.

Additional examinations. Must be provided to employees who develop signs or symptoms which may be associated with exposure to AN.
Records:Medical records. Must be kept for at least 40 years, or for the duration of employment plus 20 years, whichever is longer, and include:
  • A copy of the physician’s written opinions,
  • Any employee medical complaints related to exposure to AN,
  • A copy of the information provided to the physician, and
  • A copy of the employee’s medical and work history.
1910.1047 Ethylene oxide
Who:All employees who are or may be exposed to EtO at or above the action level, without regard to the use of respirators, for at least 30 days a year, and all employees who have been exposed to EtO in an emergency situation.

Action level. A concentration of airborne EtO of 0.5 ppm calculated as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA).
Frequency:Medical examinations. Must be provided:
  • Prior to assignment of the employee to an area where exposure may be at or above the action level for at least 30 days a year.
  • At least annually for each employee exposed at or above the action level for at least 30 days in the past year.
  • At termination of employment or reassignment to an area where exposure to EtO is not at or above the action level for at least 30 days a year.
  • As medically appropriate for any employee exposed during an emergency.
  • As soon as possible, upon notification by an employee either (1) that the employee has developed signs or symptoms indicating possible overexposure to EtO, or (2) that the employee desires medical advice concerning the effects of current or past exposure to EtO on the employee’s ability to produce a healthy child.
  • If the examining physician determines that any of the examinations should be provided more frequently than specified, the employer must provide such examinations to affected employees at the frequencies recommended by the physician.
Records:Medical records. Must be kept for the duration of employment plus 30 years and include:
  • The name of the employee,
  • Physicians’ written opinions,
  • Any employee medical complaints related to exposure to EtO, and
  • A copy of the information provided to the physician.
1910.1048 Formaldehyde
Who:
  • Employees who are exposed to formaldehyde at concentrations at or exceeding the action level or exceeding the short-term exposure limit (STEL), or in emergencies.
  • Employees who develop signs and symptoms of overexposure to formaldehyde.

Action level. A concentration of 0.5 part formaldehyde per million parts of air (0.5 ppm) calculated as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) concentration.

Short-term exposure limit (STEL). An airborne concentration of formaldehyde which exceeds two parts formaldehyde per million parts of air (2 ppm) as a 15-minute STEL.
Frequency:Medical examinations. Must be given:
  • To any employee who the physician feels, based on information in the medical disease questionnaire, may be at increased risk from exposure to formaldehyde.
  • At the time of initial assignment.
  • At least annually thereafter to all employees required to wear a respirator to reduce exposure to formaldehyde.

Emergency medical examinations. Must be made available as soon as possible to all employees who have been exposed to formaldehyde in an emergency.
Records:Medical records. Must be kept for the duration of employment plus 30 years and include:
  • The name of the employee;
  • The physician’s written opinion;
  • A list of any employee health complaints that may be related to exposure to formaldehyde; and
  • A copy of the medical examination results, including medical disease questionnaires and results of any medical tests required by the standard or mandated by the examining physician.
1910.1050 Methylenedianiline
Who:
  • Employees exposed to MDA at or above the action level for 30 or more days per year;
  • Employees subject to dermal exposure to MDA for 15 or more days per year;
  • Employees exposed in an emergency situation;
  • Employees whom the employer, based on results from compliance with paragraph 1910.1050(e)(8), has reason to believe are being dermally exposed; and
  • Employees who show signs or symptoms of MDA exposure.

Action level. A concentration of airborne MDA of 5 ppb as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA).

Dermal exposure to MDA. Occurs where employees are engaged in the handling, application, or use of mixtures or materials containing MDA, with any of the following non-airborne forms of MDA:
  • Liquid, powdered, granular, or flaked mixtures containing MDA in concentrations greater than 0.1% by weight or volume; and
  • Materials other than “finished articles” containing MDA in concentrations greater than 0.1% by weight or volume.
Frequency:Initial examinations. Before the time of initial assignment.

Periodic examinations. At least annually following the initial examination.

Emergency examinations. If the employer determines that the employee has been exposed to a potentially hazardous amount of MDA in an emergency situation.

Additional examinations. Where the employee develops signs and symptoms associated with exposure to MDA.
Records:Medical surveillance records. Must be kept for at least the duration of employment plus 30 years and include:
  • The name and description of the duties of the employee;
  • The employer’s copy of the physician’s written opinion on the initial, periodic, and any special examinations, including results of medical examination and all tests, opinions, and recommendations;
  • Results of any airborne exposure monitoring done for that employee and the representative exposure levels supplied to the physician; and
  • Any employee medical complaints related to exposure to MDA.

Medical records. The employer must keep, or assure that the examining physician keeps, for at least the duration of employment plus 30 years, the following medical records:
  • A copy of 1910.1050 and its appendices, except that the employer may keep one copy of the standard and its appendices for all employees provided the employer references the standard and its appendices in the medical surveillance record of each employee;
  • A copy of the information provided to the physician as required by any paragraphs in the regulatory text;
  • A description of the laboratory procedures and a copy of any standards or guidelines used to interpret the test results or references to the information; and
  • A copy of the employee’s medical and work history related to exposure to MDA.

Medical removal records. Records for employees removed from current exposure to MDA must be kept for at least the duration of an employee’s employment plus 30 years, and include:
  • The name of the employee,
  • The date of each occasion that the employee was removed from current exposure to MDA as well as the corresponding date on which the employee was returned to his or her former job status,
  • A brief explanation of how each removal was or is being accomplished, and
  • A statement with respect to each removal indicating the reason for the removal.
1910.1051 1,3-Butadiene
Who
  • Employees with exposure to BD at concentrations at or above the action level on 30 or more days or for employees who have or may have exposure to BD at or above the permissible exposure limits (PELs) on 10 or more days a year.
  • Employers (including successor owners) must continue to provide medical screening and surveillance for employees, even after transfer to a non-BD exposed job and regardless of when the employee is transferred, whose work histories suggest exposure to BD:
    • At or above the PELs on 30 or more days a year for 10 or more years;
    • At or above the action level on 60 or more days a year for 10 or more years; or
    • Above 10 ppm on 30 or more days in any past year; and
    • Each employee exposed to BD following an emergency situation.

Action level. A concentration of airborne BD of 0.5 ppm calculated as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA).

Permissible exposure limits (PELs):

Time-weighted average (TWA) limit. No employee must be exposed to an airborne concentration of BD in excess of 1 part BD per million parts of air (ppm) measured as an 8-hour time-weighted average.

Short-term exposure limit (STEL). No employee must be exposed to an airborne concentration of BD in excess of 5 parts of BD per million parts of air (5 ppm) as determined over a sampling period of 15 minutes.
Frequency:Health questionnaire and complete blood count with differential and platelet count (CBC). Annually.

Initial physical examination. Must be given:
  • If 12 months or more have elapsed since the last physical examination conducted as part of a medical screening program for BD exposure,
  • Before assumption of duties by the employee in a job with BD exposure,
  • Every 3 years after the initial physical examination,
  • At the discretion of the physician or other licensed care professional reviewing the annual health questionnaire and CBD,
  • At termination of employment if 12 months or more have elapsed since the last physical examination.

Emergency medical screening. Must be conducted as quickly as possible but not later than 48 hours after the exposure.

Respirator fit test. For each employee who must wear a respirator, physical ability to perform the work and use the respirator must be determined as required by 1910.134.
Records:Exposure measurements. Records must be kept for at least 30 years and include:
  • The date of measurement;
  • The operation involving exposure to BD which is being monitored;
  • Sampling and analytical methods used and evidence of their accuracy;
  • Number, duration, and results of samples taken;
  • Type of protective devices worn, if any; and
  • Name and exposure of the employees whose exposures are represented.
  • The written corrective action and the schedule for completion of this action required by 1910.1051(d)(7)(ii).

Medical screening and surveillance records. Must kept for the duration of employment plus 30 years and include:
  • The name of the employee;
  • Physician’s or other licensed healthcare professional’s written opinions as described in 1910.1051(k)(7);
  • A copy of the information provided to the physician or other licensed healthcare professional as required by 1910.1051(k)(7)(ii)-(iv).
1910.1052 Methylene chloride
Who:Employees who are or may be exposed to MC:
  • At or above the action level on 30 or more days per year, or above the 8-hour TWA permissible exposure limit (PEL) or the short-term exposure limit (STEL) on 10 or more days per year;
  • Above the 8-TWA PEL or STEL for any time period where an employee has been identified by a physician or other licensed health care professional as being at risk from cardiac disease or from some other serious MC-related health condition and such employee requests inclusion in the medical surveillance program; and
  • During an emergency.

Action level. A concentration of airborne MC of 12.5 parts per million (ppm) calculated as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA).

Eight-hour time-weighted average (TWA) PEL. Airborne concentration of MC in excess of 25 parts of MC per million parts of air (25 ppm) as an 8-hour TWA.

Short-term exposure limit (STEL). An airborne concentration of MC in excess of 125 parts of MC per million parts of air (125 ppm) as determined over a sampling period of 15 minutes.
Frequency:Medical evaluation. Before having an employee use a supplied-air respirator in the negative-pressure mode, or a gas mask with an organic-vapor canister for emergency escape, the employer must:
  • Have a physician or other licensed healthcare professional (PLHCP) evaluate the employee’s ability to use such respiratory protection.
  • Ensure that the PLHCP provides their findings in a written opinion to the employee and the employer.

Medical surveillance. Must be made available:
  • Initially, before the time of an employee’s initial assignment;
  • Annually thereafter;
  • When recommended in the written medical opinion; and
  • When an employee leaves the employer’s workplace or is reassigned to an area where exposure to MC is consistently at or below the action level and STEL, medical surveillance must be made available if 6 months or more have elapsed since the last medical surveillance.
Records:Medical surveillance records. Must be kept for the duration of employment plus 30 years, and include:
  • The name and description of the duties of the employee,
  • Written medical opinions, and
  • Any employee medical conditions related to exposure to MC.
1910.1053 Respirable crystalline silica
Who:Employees who will be occupationally exposed to respirable crystalline silica at or above the action level for 30 or more days per year.

Action level. A concentration of airborne respirable crystalline silica of 25 μg/m3, calculated as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA).
Frequency:Initial examinations. An initial (baseline) examination must be made available within 30 days after initial assignment, unless the employee has received a medical examination that meets the requirements of 1910.1053 within the last 3 years.

Periodic examinations. At least every 3 years, or more frequently if recommended by the physician or other licensed healthcare professional (PLHCP).

Additional examinations. If the PLHCP’s written medical opinion indicates that an employee should be examined by a specialist, the employer must make available a medical examination by a specialist within 30 days after receiving the PLHCP’s written opinion.
Records:Medical surveillance records. Must be kept for the duration of employment plus 30 years, and include:
  • Employee name,
  • A copy of the PLHCPs’ and specialists’ written medical opinions, and
  • A copy of the information provided to the PLHCPs and specialists.
1910.1450 Occupational exposure to hazardous chemicals in laboratories
Who:Employees exposed above the action level or the permissible exposure limit (PEL) for an OSHA-regulated substance for which there are exposure monitoring and medical surveillance requirements.
Frequency:Medical examinations. Whenever employees develop signs or symptoms associated with a hazardous chemical to which they may have been exposed in the laboratory, they must be provided an opportunity to receive an appropriate medical examination.

Medical surveillance. Where exposure monitoring reveals an exposure level routinely above the action level (or in the absence of an action level, the permissible exposure limit (PEL)) for an OSHA-regulated substance for which there are exposure monitoring and medical surveillance requirements, medical surveillance must be established for the affected employee as prescribed by the particular standard.

Medical consultations. Whenever an event takes place in the work area such as a spill, leak, explosion, or other occurrence resulting in the likelihood of a hazardous exposure, the affected employee must be provided an opportunity for a medical consultation. The consultation must be for the purpose of determining the need for a medical examination.
Records:Medical and monitoring records. The following records must be kept for at least the duration of employment plus 30 years:
  • Any measurements taken to monitor employee exposures,
  • Any medical consultation, and
  • Examinations including tests or written opinions required by 1910.1450.
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