TNEC Training Archives - The New England Consortium (TNEC)

Mar

Charles River Analytics awarded SBIR grant to create VR hazardous waste training modules for NIEHS

Charles River Analytics announced it was awarded a SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) grant for NIEHS (National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences) to create virtual reality (VR) modules that enhance training for hazardous waste operations & emergency response (HAZWOPER). This award is geared towards creating training modules for firefighters, emergency responders, and environmental and industrial workers, who may all encounter hazardous materials. These hazardous materials can pose health and safety risks such as chemical burns, illnesses, fires, and explosions. To read the article in it's entirety, please click here.

Methane emissions are high in eastern MA

Nov

By TNEC

TNEC Training

Methane emissions are high in eastern MA

TNEC recognizes the importance of this new study: Methane emissions in eastern Mass. are 6 times higher than state estimates. A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has determined that methane emissions from natural gas pipelines and other infrastructure are six times higher in eastern Massachusetts than the state has estimated. WBUR reports that "the study also reports that methane emissions have not decreased over the past eight years, despite state efforts to fix leaks." Read full article here

OSHA tells 3 states to protect workers from COVID or forfeit authority

Nov

By TNEC

News & Updates, TNEC Training

OSHA tells 3 states to protect workers from COVID or forfeit authority

The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration has threatened to take over three states’ workplace safety programs because they failed to adopt emergency COVID-19 rules to protect healthcare workers, as reported by the Pew Charitable Trusts. According to labor advocates, OSHA's admonition serves as a warning that resisting the forthcoming federal vaccine mandate for most healthcare workers and employees at large companies likewise could cost states their regulatory power over workplace safety. Jordan Barab, former OSHA deputy assistant secretary during the Obama administration state, “This is definitely an effort to send a message that OSHA is going to take any…

EPA Enhances Scientific Integrity and Strengthens Chemical Safety Reviews

Nov

By TNEC

News & Updates, TNEC Training

EPA Enhances Scientific Integrity and Strengthens Chemical Safety Reviews

The EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP) on October 14, 2021, announced several actions to enhance scientific integrity and strengthen chemical safety reviews. These actions include the establishment of two new internal science policy advisory councils, the creation of a senior-level science policy advisor to the assistant administrator, and improvements to existing policies and procedures. Michal Freedhoff, EPA Assistant Administrator for the OCSPP, stated, “Scientific integrity is the backbone of the work we do to ensure the safety of chemicals used in our everyday lives. Strong, sound science underpins confidence in our decision-making among the public that…

U.S. Department of Labor starts process to create rules to protect workers from heat hazards

Nov

By TNEC

News & Updates, TNEC Training

U.S. Department of Labor starts process to create rules to protect workers from heat hazards

TNEC training addresses the impact of exposure to indoor and outdoor heat to worker health and safety. OHSonline reports that on October 27, 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor published an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings. There is currently no specific OSHA standard to protect workers from hazardous heat conditions at work. This initiative starts the process to create a workplace rule regarding heat hazards. A press release on October 26 from the U.S. Department of Labor states, “Workers in outdoor and indoor work settings without adequate climate-controlled…