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Spring 2004

Articles

  • DOT Announces New Hazardous Material Regulations
  • Log On Today!
  • Dates and Deadlines
  • Golf Courses Provided with Valuable Environmental Assistance
  • Strategic Goals Program
  • Iowa Waste Exchange News

DOT Announce New Hazardous Material Regulations
By Jim Olson and Kaylene Reilly
Iowa Waste Reduction Center

The Department of Transportation (DOT) has recently announced new training, registration and security requirements for any facility that loads, unloads, transports or otherwise handles hazardous material.

Hazardous material training applies to all facility employees that:

  • Load, unload or handle hazardous material;
  • Prepare hazardous material for transportation; or
  • Transport hazardous material.

Training must inform employees of DOT hazardous material requirements and provide them with safety training for emergency response to workplace hazards. Updates to regulatory changes applicable to the facility, as well as specific training associated with the workplace duties such as facility and transportation security must be included in employee training.

It is the responsibility of the employer to train all new employees within 90 days of entering a job involving management or handling of hazardous material, and all employees must be retrained at least once every three years. Employees must also be tested and certified to show they are competent in managing or handling hazardous material associated with their job function. Records of the training and certification must be kept on file for at least three years.

Some facilities that utilize full-service hazardous waste management companies may be exempt from training requirements if the waste management company provides all facility hazardous material management handling activities, and no other hazardous material handling activities occur at the facility.

In addition to hazardous material training, DOT hazardous material registration and fee payments apply to any facility that, during any given year, transports or offers for transport on public roads the following:

  • A highway route-controlled quantity of Class 7 (radioactive) material;
  • More than 25 kg (55 pounds) of Division 1.1, 1.2 or 1.3 (explosive) material;
  • More than one liter (1.06 quarts) per package of material considered extremely toxic by inhalation; or
  • Any other quantity of hazardous material that requires transport vehicle placarding under the provisions of 49 CFR Part 172 Subpart F. Hazardous wastes subject to this criterion include combustible/flammable liquids (i.e., solvents) corrosives and toxic wastes (i.e., metal bearing sludge) in amounts greater than 1,001 pounds.

Facilities that meet any of the above criteria must submit an annual DOT registration form, available at http://hazmat.dot.gov by June 30. This form, as well as the corresponding DOT Certificate of Registration, must be kept on file for a minimum of three years. Applicable registration and processing fees of $150 for small and not-for-profit businesses and $300 for all others must also be paid. A facility that conducts entirely agricultural-related transportation is the only business for which an exemption for registration and fees regulations may apply.

Finally, the same facilities that meet criteria to submit annual registrations are also subject to following DOT security requirements. A security plan includes an assessment of possible transportation security risks for shipments of hazardous materials (including management prior to shipping) and the appropriate measures to address these risks. This written security plan should be retained for as long as it is in affect, and updated as necessary to incorporate changing circumstances. It should be readily available to employees responsible for its implementation. The security plan should include the following:

  • A means to confirm information provided by job applicants hired to work with or that have access to facility hazardous materials;
  • A means to eliminate or reduce the risk of unauthorized access to facility hazardous materials and/or transportation equipment; and
  • A means to address security risks related to off-site transportation of hazardous materials, including shipments stored incidental to transportation.
In addition to the security plan, all employees involved in the packaging, handling and/or transportation of hazardous materials at a facility required to have a security plan must receive in-depth training within 90 days of employment.

Security training must address security risks associated with hazardous material transportation and the methods designed to enhance transportation security. An employee must also be taught how to recognize and respond to any security threats at that facility. All trained employees must be familiar with the facility’s Security Plan including its security objectives, specific security procedures, employee responsibilities, actions that are to be taken in the event of a security breach and the facility’s organizational security structure.

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Log On Today!
By Kaylene Reilly
Iowa Waste Reduction Center

The Dry Cleaner Compliance Website, created by the Iowa Air Emissions Assistance Program (IAEAP) at the Iowa Waste Reduction Center (IWRC), is up and running! The Dry Cleaner Compliance Website was developed to further assist Iowa dry cleaning facilities using perchloroethylene (perc) with monitoring, record keeping and archiving data. The site provides dry cleaning facilities with the same features as the Dry Cleaner Compliance manual and calendar that is provided by the IWRC, but with some additional benefits not available to those using the paper format.

The Website includes solvent mileage calculations, optional email reminders of missed inspections and changes in perc usage, along with other various logs and records (such as leak inspection and temperature variance) to keep track of compliance. All of these tools make up a great resource to help dry cleaners stay competitive and environmentally compliant.

To use the Dry Cleaner Compliance Website, businesses may go to www.iwrc.org/dryclean. Each business must complete a confidential registration via the Website prior to the first log-on to ensure the Website can better serve each business’ needs. Once registration is complete, each business can receive personal assistance with all aspects of compliance through the available logs, record keeping and email reminders. All of the services of the IWRC, including this website, are free and confidential. Please contact the IAEAP at 800-422-3109 with any questions regarding the Dry Cleaner Compliance Website, or visit www.iwrc.org for more information about any programs at the IWRC.

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Dates and Deadlines

Tier II Reports Emergency Planning Community Right to Know Tier II Reports were due March 1. If you store a hazardous substance in quantities greater than 10,000 pounds, or extremely hazardous substances in quantities greater than 500 pounds, you should have submitted a Tier II form to the State Emergency Response Commission, your Local Emergency Planning Committee and your Fire Department. It is not too late to file.

Visit http://www.iowaworkforce.org/labor/serc.htm to file electronically. Contact Lisa Hurban, IWRC, 319-273-8905 or Anne Jackson, Iowa Division of Labor at 515-281-5151 with any questions.

TRI Reporting The Environmental Protection Agency, Region VII is conducting four Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA/TRI) workshops and two web based training sessions in April-May 2004.

EPCRA/TRI workshops:
April 21, 2004-Omaha, Nebraska
April 22, 2004-Kansas City, Missouri
May 12, 2004-Cedar Rapids, Iowa
May 13, 2004-St. Louis, Missouri
Web based training:
May 18, 2004 & May 25, 2004

For more information about the workshops, call 866-844-4460 or email www.mckinzieconstruction.com. For more information on web based training, go to www.epcra-tri.com. For any other assistance with this program, contact Lisa Hurban at the Iowa Waste Reduction Center: 800-422-3109 or lisa.hurban@uni.edu.

Mandatory Risk Management Plan Renewal Assistance Facilities that filed Risk Management Plans (RMP) under the Clean Air Act section 112(r) in 1999 are required to update the plans by June 22, 2004. Section 112(r) lists 139 hazardous substances and establishes specific storage thresholds. Anhydrous ammonia is the most common chemical that requires a facility to submit an RMP.

The Iowa Waste Reduction Center is conducting workshops throughout Iowa to help you complete the mandatory RMP. Call the IWRC immediately at 800-422-3109 to begin the RMP submit process and set a date to attend one of several assistance workshops across the state.

MSEIQ Assistance The Iowa Air Emissions Assistance Program (IAEAP) at the Iowa Waste Reduction Center (IWRC) has begun Minor Source Emissions Inventory Questionnaire (MSEIQ) assistance. Recently, small- to medium- sized businesses in Eastern Iowa that emit air pollutants and are classified as non-major sources have been targeted by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) to complete this inventory. Businesses are required to report to the IDNR all actual and potential emissions from both permitted and fugitive sources in an MSEIQ by May 15th, 2004. Facilities having fewer than 100 employees are given the option of completing the inventory on their own, or can request assistance from IAEAP staff at the IWRC. If a business requests assistance, IAEAP staff will complete all necessary MSEIQ forms and calculations for the business. Please contact the IAEAP at 800-422-3109 for assistance in completing your MSEIQ inventory requirement.

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Golf Course Provided with Valuable Environmental Assistance

Golf season will soon be moving full swing. Golf course superintendents have a lot to handle right now, from memberships to maintenance, but environmental compliance cannot be overlooked. Even though golf courses are usually not thought of as a major pollution producing industry, there are several environmental issues they need to keep in mind. Following environmental regulations can help avoid penalties and fines, while keeping a good public image.

The Iowa Waste Reduction Center (IWRC) has created the Golf Course Waste Management Manual to help golf courses stay informed of important environmental regulations and pollution prevention techniques. This free manual provides maintenance staff with pertinent regulatory information, and identifies areas where pollution prevention techniques can be applied to meet these requirements.

In addition to the manual, the IWRC offers free on-site pollution prevention and waste reduction assistance to small businesses throughout Iowa, including golf courses. Through the On-Site Review program, an IWRC specialist tours the golf course maintenance building at the request of the superintendent or club president.

The Golf Course Waste Management Manual is expected to be ready for distribution sometime this summer. Any course wishing to receive a copy of the manual or set up an On-Site review may contact the IWRC at 800-422-3109 or visit www.iwrc.org.

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Strategic Goals Program
By Kaylene Reilly
Iowa Waste Reduction Center

The Iowa Strategic Goals Program (ISGP) is a voluntary program that encourages companies to go beyond environmental compliance. ISGP member companies are offered incentives, resources and a means for removing regulatory and policy barriers as they work to achieve specific environmental goals. The ISGP brings the metal finishing industry together with state and local government regulators, working to improve environmental performance. As a result of this program, the metal finishing industry, as a whole, benefits by going beyond compliance to increase self-regulation.

Development of ISGP was a two-year effort by stakeholders from the metal finishing industry, the Iowa Waste Reduction Center (IWRC) at the University of Northern Iowa, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Through the ISGP, businesses may have the opportunity to schedule a confidential assistance visit, discuss openly with city, state and federal agencies about issues of concern to Iowa Metal Finishers and voice regulatory concerns. ISGP members also have greater access to compliance and waste reduction experts, more assistance in identifying and applying for low interest loans, and a possibility of low inspection priority. In some cases, businesses may have the privilege of a reduced monitoring status by POTW to Federal Minimum Levels.

Business participating in the ISGP may also see added environmental benefits, including more efficient operations, reduced material consumption and operation costs and decreased energy usage. To participate in the ISGP, a business need only complete and submit the Statement of Commitment Form by contacting the ISGP at: Pollution Prevention Services, Attn: ISGP Contact, 502 E. 9th St, Des Moines, IA 50319.

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Iowa Waste Exchange News

Organizations Reap the Benefits of IWE Services in Iowa and Beyond
By Shelly Codner
IWE Resource Specialist, Area C

Shelly Codner
Shelly Codner

In late November 2003, Shelly Codner, Iowa Waste Exchange (IWE) Resource Specialist for Area C, contacted Riverside Book and Bible (Riverside) in Iowa Falls, Iowa. In doing so, she discovered that Riverside was in the process of liquidating a warehouse building that was housing 24,000 pounds of media materials, including audio cassettes, music CDs, computer software, video tapes, novels and miscellaneous reference items. Although the materials were highly marketable, they were headed to the landfill. The items were genre, cultural and denominationally specific items, meaning many organizations could benefit from the diversion of these materials, and they needed to be contacted.

Several organizations, including Bremwood Children’s Home, Waverly; Iowa Prison Ministries; Mason City Newman High School; Aplington Presbyterian Church; St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Parkersburg; St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Greene; Immaculate Conception School, Charles City; Iowa Parents as Teachers; and Timothy Christian School, Wellsburg all found items from the list that were of value to them. The warehouse was vacated in short order. Many of the organizations searched through the stacks of materials onsite, but due to some schedule conflicts with area schools and other logistical problems, many items were delivered by Codner as she performed additional site visits within her area.

In December 2003, Riverside again contacted Codner, saying they had an additional 24,000 pounds of materials stored in another warehouse. The second consignment of items included several materials relating to African heritage, as well as several books, CDs and cassette tapes that were in Spanish. After contacting the organizations mentioned above as well as area libraries and missionaries, there were still several items needing a home. Coincidentally, Codner received two items in the mail that would assist in matching these materials. One was a newsletter from Mountain Moving Faith Ministries (MMFM) based in Phoenix, Arizona and the other, a recycled Christmas card from St. Jude’s Children’s Ranch in Boulder City, Nevada.

Within the content of the MMFM newsletter was a request for materials that would be distributed to Spanish speaking prisoners in Cuba. Susan Casarez, who serves on the board of directors for MMFM (and is also Codner’s sister) was flying to Iowa from Phoenix for the holidays, and upon her return home, procured all Spanish-written books and Spanish-spoken CDs and cassettes. These items are currently en route to Cuba, where they will be used for MMFM’s Cuban prison mission.

Codner also contacted St. Jude’s Children’s Ranch, a non-secular home for abused and abandoned children, to see if they were in need of any of the listed items. Monsignor Robb Trebb, director of the ranch, was enthusiastically interested, stating, “We certainly would love to have all the CDs, cassettes, and video tapes. Many of our youth ask me for CDs or tapes of traditional or contemporary music, so these would be put to good use. Thank you so much for thinking of us!� However, St. Jude’s is a non-profit organization and was unable to pay to have the items shipped. Codner contacted a 4-H club in her area. West Point Sunshine Pals have been known for holding Christmas Card and Campbell’s soup label drives for St. Jude’s. The club agreed to sort and ship several of these items as an expansion of their card and label project.

A majority of the items from the warehouse have now been matched, with the exception of the African Heritage materials. However, in visiting with another organization in Area C, Codner met a Mason City native, who is an African Studies major interning in Senator Harkin’s Office, and currently has contacts in need of these materials. They are working on matches for the remaining items.

In addition to the goodwill efforts these Riverside media items have and will assist in, the total landfill diversion is in excess of 25 tons and has saved Riverside approximately $1,080 in disposal costs. Riverside representative Maureen Rampot is excited about future possibilities with the Iowa Waste Exchange stating, [IWE] should be commended for your outstanding efforts.

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IWE Specialist Retires
By Jeff Beneke
Iowa Waste Reduction Center

Bill Pendgraft
Bill Pendgraft

Bill Pendgraft has helped businesses in southwest Iowa divert materials from the landfill for the past five years. Bill has been instrumental in many solid waste and recycling issues over the years and will be truly missed.

On behalf of the Iowa Waste Reduction Center, Recycle Iowa, Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the Iowa Waste Exchange regional specialists, I would like to thank Bill for his years of service with the Iowa Waste Exchange program and wish him the best in retirement.

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IWE Helps Companies With Excess Inventory By Rick Meyers
IWE Resource Specialist, Area F

Rick Meyers
Rick Meyers

At the end of each year, the Iowa Waste Exchange (IWE) often finds its services being requested by companies who have performed an end-of-year inventory, turning up excess materials they no longer need. 2003 was no exception. One recent example involved a Cedar Rapids manufacturer that had four unopened drums of antifreeze. The company determined it would not have a use for the antifreeze, and thus contacted Rick Meyers of the IWE to help find a company that could put the product to good use. The four 55-gallon drums of antifreeze were labeled as RV and marine antifreeze, intended for over-wintering mobile homes, vacation homes, recreational vehicles, boats and swimming pools.

Meyers began contacting local businesses and eventually found a boat sales and service company called R & L Marine that was very interested in the product. The referral was made, and a short time later R & L Marine picked up the four drums of antifreeze. This exchange saved the manufacturer the cost of disposing of the antifreeze as waste and saved R & L Marine hundreds of dollars in avoided purchases of new antifreeze. The result: two happy customers once again for the Iowa Waste Exchange.

The Iowa Waste Exchange is a cooperative effort of Recycle Iowa/ Iowa Department of Economic Development, the Iowa Waste Reduction Center, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Iowa Community Colleges, Local Councils of Government and Iowa Solid Waste Agencies. The Exchange will not determine what may constitute a hazardous substance or create a hazardous situation. The Exchange will not make judgements with respect to any legal requirements, particularly for the storage, transportation, treatment or disposal of what may be defined as hazardous substances. For information about hazardous waste reduction and/or proper disposal, call the Department of Natural Resources Energy and Waste Management Bureau at (800) 367-1025 or the IWRC at (800) 422-3109.

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© Copyright 2007 Iowa Waste Reduction Center
A Service of Business and Community Services at the
University of Northern Iowa
Suite 113, BCS Building
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0185
phone: 319.273.8905
fax: 319.273.6582