Thursday - December 11, 2008

I just finished a 1 hour-45 minute surprise Hazardous Material Inspection and I am proud to say that the only thing he could find that wasn't perfect, was that there was about a quarter of an inch of water in the secondary containment container that our waste oil is stored in (and he knew that was from the rain we had last week). He said we were among the best facilities he has ever inspected. It's really important to keep this stuff up to date, not only because it's the law, but because it could save a life.

I'm sure most people don't think about all the licenses, permits and regulations we have to deal with. We have a Hazardous Waste Generator permit, Air Tank Operator permit, Gasoline and Diesel dispensing license, Pesticide license and a Restricted Materials permit, just to name a few. We are also required to have a written "Spill Prevention Control and Containment Plan", a complete up to date "Chemical Inventory" and "MSDS" records, a written "Emergency Business Plan" that includes a Site Map, a Chemical and Hazardous Material list with flammability information on each one, Emergency Procedure Plan, Prevention-Mitigation-Abatement-Evacuation-Earthquake-Hazardous Waste Contingency and Unauthorized Release Response Plan, Employee Training Plan and current Employee Safety Training Records. Eye wash stations, employee lockers and an emergency shower must be provided and available at all times. Workers "Right to Know" information and Workers Comp, Hospital and Poison Control Center information must be posted for employees. And the list goes on and on. Most of these licenses and permits also require some sort of continuing education be maintained. And all you thought we did was mow grass. It's funny, (or sad) but I've been doing this long enough that I remember back when that statement was true and all we did was mow grass.