In an ever-changing regulatory environment, it is becoming increasingly difficult for businesses to be aware of new regulations and have enough qualified staff to sta
y compliant with safety and regulatory laws. Arbor Environmental offers an affordable package of services designed to meet safety regulations, provide on-site support and provide quality customer service by understanding individual needs.
Compliance Programs
Highlights
Our on-site services include facility inspections, employee training, written program implementation, and assistance in conducting safety committee meetings for your chosen program. Clients have the option of selecting needed programs individually or you can contact our sales department for more information about our Gold, Silver and Bronze Compliance Packages.
Our on-call services include 24/7 support for aid in environmental, health and safety incidents.
Our online calendar gives clients the ease and convenience of scheduling employees' training and respirator fit testing through our website. We also offer administrative support for clients that prefer to schedule appointments the old-fashioned way.
Our programs include:
Environmental Compliance
Hazardous Waste and Material Management
Air Quality Management District Regulation Compliance
Wastewater Management
Stormwater Management
Proposition 65 Compliance
DOT HazMat TrainingHealth and Safety Compliance
Asbestos Awareness Program
Bloodborne Pathogens Program
Construction Safety Program
Ergonomic Assessments
Fire Safety and Prevention Program
Hearing Protection Program
Workers Compensation
Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan
Hazard Communication Program
Personal Protective Equipment Program
Respiratory Protection Program
Injury & Illness Prevention Program
Air Quality Management District Regulation Compliance
Under federal and state law, the Air Quality Management District (AQMD) is under a legal obligation to enforce air pollution regulations. These regulations are primarily meant to ensure that the surrounding (or ambient) air meets federal and state air quality standards. AQMD also has broad authority to regulate toxic and hazardous air emissions, and these regulations are enforced in the same manner as those which pertain to the ambient air quality standards. Arbor Environmental will assist clients in preparing and submitting air quality permits. We have numerous clients in the industrial and biomedical sectors who have also retained our services to assist in violation (NOV) appeals.
Anyone that is working in maintenance, engineering or custodial activities that may come in contact with asbestos-containing material needs asbestos awareness training according to Asbestos Standard 1910.1001. This includes employees such as plumbers, mechanical system workers, elevator repair workers, HVAC workers, electricians, etc. Asbestos containing materials (ACM) may be found in walls, doors, pipes, ceilings, floor tile, etc.
Our program outlines proper work practices to minimize the potential for disturbing ACM, how to avoid exposure and explains the health effects associated with asbestos. Our services include an on-site assessment and multiple training options.An infection control plan must be prepared for all persons who handle, store, use, process, or disposes of infectious medical wastes. This infection control plan complies with OSHA requirement, 29 CFR 1910.1030, Blood Borne Pathogens. The plan includes requirements for personal protective equipment, housekeeping, training, and a procedure for reporting exposures.
Needlestick injuries are common within the healthcare field, which could expose workers to bloodborne pathogens. Risks could include exposures to Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV/AIDS. First aid team members, housekeeping personnel in some settings, nurses and other healthcare providers are examples of workers who may be at risk of exposure. A robust plan and procedure are needed to ensure workers safety, which we have provided to our hospital and healthcare clients.Over 11 million construction workers build and maintain roads, houses, workplaces and physical infrastructure. This work includes many inherently hazardous tasks and conditions such as work at excavations, noise, dust, power tools and equipment, confined spaces, and electricity. Construction has about 8% of U.S. workers, but 22% of the fatalities - the largest number of fatalities reported for any of the industry sectors.
The professionals at Arbor Environmental have extensive experience within the construction industry and can customize a plan depending on your hazards. Here are samples of a few common construction hazards that our program can address:
- Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning from Small Gasoline-Powered Engines and Tools
- Preventing Occupational Fatalities in Confined Spaces
- Workplace Solutions: Preventing Injuries from Installing Drywall
- Preventing Electrocutions from Contact Between Cranes and Power Lines
- Preventing Injuries and Deaths from Falls During Construction and Maintenance of Telecommunication Towers
- Preventing Lead Poisoning in Construction Workers
- Preventing Silicosis and Deaths in Construction Workers
- Power Tools: Nail Down Safety First
Federal regulations found in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (49 CFR) Part 172.702 require that each employer whose employees work with hazardous materials (as defined in sections 49 CFR 171 and 172) must train each of its hazmat employees. "Hazmat employees" include those who prepare the packages for shipping, prepare, sign or review the paperwork, load trucks, drive the vehicles or unload or receive the hazardous materials. A hazmat employee who performs any of these functions may not perform the function unless he or she has been trained in the requirements of hazardous materials (generally: identification, classification, labeling, marking, placarding, packaging, etc.) that apply to that function. It is the duty of each hazmat employer to comply with the applicable requirements and to ensure that each hazmat employee is thoroughly instructed each hazmat employee. Training needs to be completed every 3 years.
Emergency Preparedness and Response Program
Good planning leads to good response. Our emergency preparedness and response programs enable clientele to identify, evaluate, and react to a wide spectrum of emergencies, including those arising from chemical spills or natural events such as earthquakes. This program also works to improve company preparedness capacity by ensuring coordination among local, state, and federal agencies. Arbor will assist clients with conducting disaster drills to improve responses and ultimately increase your level of preparedness.
From the Latin ergo-work and nomus-rules, ergonomics is the science of workplace design that fits the job to the person by designing or modifying the workstation, work methods and tools. Ergonomics reduces strain by cutting back on the stress and the number of repetitive motions done on the job. The most common repetitive motion injuries include Tendinitis, Tenosynovitis and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Early identification of repetitive motion problems is important. We have found that most Ergonomic injuries will be classified as an OSHA recordable and result in lost time due to the physical therapy involved and numerous doctors visits. The sooner you can identify the problem, the more likely you will be able to do something about it. We believe a proactive approach will save you money, increase employee morale and assist you in achieving your company's safety goals.
Our on-site ergonomic assessments are tailored to our client's industry, equipment and job tasks. We have a proven track record of decreasing our client's workers compensation claims by an average of 32% the first year. We pride our selves in helping companies create and cultivate a lasting culture of safety and productivity.
Our qualified staff can provide assessments for the following:
-Office ergonomic assessments
-Manufacturing line assessments
-Lean manufacturing ergonomics
-Industrial workplace assessmentsFire Safety and Prevention Program
The implementation of a Fire Safety and Prevention Program will ensure acceptable standards of fire safety at your facility and adherence to regulations. High-rise, multiple story building and accommodation buildings are subject to stricter standards covered in the Fire and Rescue Act of 1990. Our Fire Safety and Prevention Program will be customized to contain specific information about your building’s fire safety installations and procedures.
Arbor’s Fire Safety and Prevention Program typically includes the following information:
• Building information, such as type of building, business owner information, contact details.
• Allowable maximum number of occupants.
• Maintenance schedules, which are details of when each fire safety installation will be inspected/tested.
• Fire and Evacuation plans that provide details on the procedures to ensure safe evacuation of occupants in the event of fire (i.e. vertical and/or horizontal evacuation).
• Proposed Training Program which provide details on whom and when training is to be provided on the fire and evacuation plan.
• List of fire safety installations, such as fire extinguishers, smoke alarms and emergency lighting. Any fire safety equipment that is fitted in the building.
• Building plans, that need to be floor plan drawings, relatively close to scale, which have all fire safety installations recorded on them.The purpose of the Hazard Communication Program is to promote employee safety through training and communication on the safe use, handling and storage of hazardous materials. Our program establishes guidelines for informing employees about the hazards of chemicals in the workplace and the procedures needed to protect themselves from these hazards.
This program complies with the requirements of the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard, 1910.1200. The standard was adopted on November 25, 1983 to ensure that the hazards of chemicals are evaluated and that information concerning these hazards are communicated to employees. Our services include either on-site or train-the-trainer instruction to fulfill the training requirement coupled with this standard.
Hazardous Waste / Minimization Program
The goal of the Hazardous Waste / Minimization Program is to protect human health and the environment from threats posed by hazardous waste and reduce your environmental impact. Strict guidelines are outlined for applicable companies in the RCRA standards. They require companies to properly classify hazardous wastes streams, ensure shipment to a permitted treatment, storage, or disposal facility (TSDF), use of a certified waste hauler, and conduct proper recordkeeping. Our program will put you in compliance with all applicable standards and will help provide solutions to minimize your waste.
Waste minimization not only protects the environment, it also makes good economic and business sense. For example, reducing waste generation through waste minimization has helped some companies change their RCRA regulatory status from large quantity generator (1000 or more kilograms of hazardous waste generated per month) to small quantity generator (between 100 and 1000 kg of hazardous waste generated per month), or to conditionally exempt small quantity generator (up to 100 kg of hazardous waste generated per month). Some have managed to eliminate the generation of hazardous waste and avoid RCRA regulatory requirements altogether.
Source reduction and/or environmentally sound recycling, reuse, and reclamation practices have helped many organizations reduce:
- The quantity and toxicity of hazardous and solid waste generation
- Raw material and product losses
- Raw material purchase costs
- Waste management recordkeeping and paperwork burden
- Waste management costs
- Workplace accidents and worker exposure
- Compliance violations
- Environmental liability
At the same time, waste minimization can improve:
- Production efficiency
- Profits
- Good neighbor image
- Product quality
- Environmental performance
Safety precautions are so important to preserving your hearing that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires ear protection be used in the construction industry when noise exceed certain levels for specified periods of time (29 CFR 1910.95). Since the symptoms of noise-induced hearing loss are usually not immediately apparent, many do not consider hearing protection to be an essential safety precaution when working with power tools. Repeated exposure to high levels of noise for extended periods of time can cause irreversible hearing damage, so taking the proper precautions when working with noisy power tools can help protect against future hearing loss.
Arbor Environmental will help assess and determine if you exceed the thresholds to require a hearing protection program. If a program is needed, our comprehensive program addresses administrative and engineering controls to decrease levels of noise, selection of hearing protection device and employee training.
Injury & Illness Prevention Program
In California every employer has a legal obligation to provide and maintain a safe and healthful workplace for employees, according to the California Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1973. As of 1991, a written effective Injury and Illness Prevention (IIP) Program is required for every California employer (California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Section 3203-3204). Aside from the legal ramification, accidents cost you money such as productive time lost, damaged equipment and continuing all or part of the injured employee’s wages, in addition to compensation.
Our IIP Program will assist management in determining what hazards exist in the work place, how to correct hazards that may occur and what actions to take to prevent them from recurring. The following objectives can be achieved by implementing Arbor’s Illness and Injury Program: reduction of work-related injuries and illnesses, property loss and environmental impairment; implementation of safe work practices; provision of general health and safety rules; disciplinary procedures; satisfactory maintenance of equipment; prompt investigations of injuries or near misses and implementing corrective procedures.
Personal Protective Equipment Program
Our Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Plan is designed to protect your employees from potential health and safety hazards associated with the handling and use of hazardous chemicals, heavy machinery and workplace chemicals. This program addresses eye, face, head, foot and hand protection. An experienced Arbor Environmental Consultant will also conduct a proper hazard assessment and assist you in selecting equipment.
Our PPE program also includes the following training topic
- When PPE is necessary
- What PPE is necessary
- How to properly don, doff, adjust, and wear PPE
- The limitations of the PPE
- The proper care, maintenance, useful life and disposal of the PPE
In 1986, California voters approved an initiative to address their growing concerns about exposure to toxic chemicals. That initiative became the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, better known by its original name of Proposition 65. Proposition 65 requires the State to publish a list of chemicals known to cause cancer or birth defects or other reproductive harm. This list, which must be updated at least once a year, has grown to include approximately 800 chemicals since it was first published in 1987.
Businesses are required to provide a "clear and reasonable" warning before knowingly and intentionally exposing anyone to a listed chemical. This warning can be given by a variety of means, such as by labeling a consumer product, posting signs at the workplace or distributing notices. We will assist clients in determining if they meet Prop 65 requirements, create a chemical inventory and ensure compliance.
In order to comply with OSHA section 1910.134(c), our specialists can help develop and implement a written respiratory protection program including customized worksite-specific procedures. We’ll help select the appropriate respirators for your conditions, perform required medical evaluations for your employees, fit test your employees, and provide the necessary training for proper respirator use of any kind. We offer both qualitative and quantitative fit testing solutions. Click here to learn more.
Stormwater runoff is generated when precipitation from rain and snowmelt events flows over land or impervious surfaces and does not percolate into the ground. As the runoff flows over the land or impervious surfaces (paved streets, parking lots, and building rooftops), it accumulates debris, chemicals, sediment or other pollutants that could adversely affect water quality if the runoff is discharged untreated. The primary method to control stormwater discharges is the use of best management practices (BMPs). In addition, most stormwater discharges are considered point sources and require coverage under an NPDES permit.
Wastewater management encompasses a broad range of efforts that promote effective and responsible water use, treatment, and disposal and encourage the protection and restoration of our nation's watersheds. EPA's Office of Wastewater Management oversees the regulatory programs that help manage our nation's wastewater. Under the Clean Water Act, EPA works in partnership with EPA Regions, states, local governments, the private sector, and non-governmental organizations to regulate discharges into surface waters. In the industrial and Biomedical sectors companies have to submit wastewater samples coupled with an annual plan to ensure compliance with your permit levels. We also have helped clients conduct root cause investigations to determine solutions for Notice of Violations (NOV).
Workers' compensation costs were once a static budget line item. CFOs, risk managers, and human-resources executives accepted it as simply the cost of doing business. Times have changed. Costs have risen dramatically. For example, the average workers' compensation medical costs per lost-time claim rose 27 percent in the last four years, according to Marsh's Dimensions™ database.
Arbor Environmental understands the need to resolve claims in a cost-effective manner while meeting the needs of your injured employees.
For more information, please contact us at info@arbor-environmental.com
