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News and Announcements

Update – For TRI Reporters - TRI Reports due July 1, 2008 -- Facilities that submit Toxics Release Inventory reports to the US EPA and the WA State Emergency Response Commission are now required to use NAICS codes on Form R reports and Form A Certification Statements.
Coming for July 2009 -- Facilities that are subject to TRI reporting will be required to use 2007 NAICS codes for releases and waste management quantities at a facility for RY 2008. Read more...

Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards - On November 2, 2007, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released Appendix A of the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS), a critical element of its chemical security efforts. For Press Release click here. With the publication of a final Appendix A in the Federal Register on November 20, 2007, all provisions of 6 CFR Part 27, including section 27.210(a)(1)(i), are operative and in effect. The deadline in the Chemical Facilities Anti-Terrorism Standards interim final rule for submission of required "Top Screens" will be 60 calendar days from the date of publication of Appendix A in the Federal Register. More details available at the DHS website at http://www.dhs.gov/xprevprot/programs/gc_1169501486179.shtm.

SAFETY HAZARD: ROMI Recalls SCUBA Regulators Due to Drowning Hazard - Fri Dec 14, 2007 8:02 am (PST) U.S. Fire Administration Fire Service Alerts and Advisories Update WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. Name of Product: Oceanic and AERIS SCUBA Regulator First Stages Units: About 6,000 Manufacturer: ROMI Enterprises, of San Leandro, Calif. More information

Private Sector Emergency Preparedness - Did you know legislation was signed into law on August 3, 2007 that requires the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide for the development of a private sector led voluntary certification program for all-hazards business emergency preparedness? This program is to be developed in consultation with key stakeholders reflecting existing best practices and standards. The program represents a significant opportunity to link preparedness activities by business with bottom-line market based incentives. The Law: The law is titled “Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007” and is also referred to as H.R. 1 and Public Law 110-53. Title IX of the Act addresses private sector preparedness and the certification program. The full text can be found at http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?tab=summary&bill=h110-1.

HHS Releases New Draft Guidance for Vaccine Prioritization During an Influenza Pandemic - The US Department of Health & Human Services recently released a new draft document outlining updated recommendations for targeting and allocating influenza vaccine during a pandemic. The new guidance is far more comprehensive than the former guidance, and includes tiered recommendations for various populations that are dependant on the severity of the pandemic strain. Among the changes are recommendations that place a higher priority on vaccinating children. The HHS conducted meetings with the public and stakeholders, including businesses and community organizations, to develop the new guidance. In addition, the HHS worked with professional ethicists to ensure that ethical considerations were taken into account. The HHS is accepting public comment on the new guidance until November 23, 2007 at: http://www.aspe.hhs.gov/panflu/vaccinepriorities.shtml. Read more http://www.pandemicflu.gov/vaccine/prioritization.html.

Business Continuity - Looking for training opportunities to recommend to businesses that will help them prepare and train their own Disaster Recovery person/team? Links available on our Resources page at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/epcra/resources.html.

EPA Calls for Partnering on School Chemical Safety - What should a school do with outdated chemicals that may have been sitting in the lab cabinet or storage closet for 20 years or more? EPA's program helps schools safely manage chemicals and avoid costly, and possibly dangerous, accidental chemical spills. The campaign provides schools with a free Web-based toolkit and connects school officials with local experts and industry leaders in chemical management who can assist in safely removing the chemicals from school property. Read more http://www.epa.gov/sc3/.