Reporting season is upon us and the March 1 deadline for routine reporting for environmental and regulatory programs is fast approaching – but don’t worry, help is at hand!
We are pleased to announce a new addition to our NACD U course offering that focuses on the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA).
By completing each of the three 25-minute online modules, you’ll gain insight and knowledge into the intricacies of the EPCRA and what’s required of you.
EPCRA was first introduced in the mid-1980s following the Bhopal disaster in India, where thousands died after a chemical leak. The act aims to protect local communities and ensure plans are in place to respond appropriately to chemical emergencies – be it a spill, release, or any other incident.
That means that chemical distributors are required to provide the public with adequate information about the chemicals located on their facility properties. There’s an obligation to be open and transparent about what hazardous products are used, handled, and stored. It also requires that any releases into the environment are properly reported with appropriate actions taken in the event of an incident.
These three new NACD U modules have been developed by NACD strategic partner Environment & Safety Solutions and provide an extensive overview of the issues facing chemical distributors, why EPCRA reporting is important, and the steps that need to be taken.
“The course looks at all the requirements and how to meet them, as well as highlighting the various challenges you may run into,” says Pete Downing, President of Environment & Safety Solutions. “EPCRA may have been in effect since 1987 but there's a lot of turnover in this industry and there are many people new to their roles. It's important we give them the resources to understand how to work safely.”
The first and second modules are particularly pertinent for the impending March deadline, covering Sections 302-304 of EPCRA and Section 311 (Tier II reporting).
“These focus on how to share information and present all that data so you can plan for any emergencies at your facility and emergency responders can work successfully and safely,” he says.
The third and final part of the course focuses on EPCRA Section 313 – toxic release inventory or TRI reporting – suited to manufacturers and importers who will face additional reporting deadlines on July 1.
“The new NACD U course provides an in-depth look at determining if you're subject to all these requirements and how to do the work and collect the data needed to complete the submission.”
“Unfortunately, there will be some people out there not doing this correctly. This course is a great opportunity for them to recalibrate and understand the emergency planning process and Tier II reporting to ensure they're doing it correctly moving forward.”
If you missed our recent webinar explaining EPCRA and the various requirements, you can access the recording here.
To find out more about NACD U and the range of courses available, visit https://www.acd-chem.com/education-meetings/education/acd-u/
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