California regulations require that all underground Gasoline Dispenser Facilities (GDF) be equipped with Phase II vapor recovery systems that have been certified as compatible for fueling vehicles (think hoses) equipped with Onboard Refueling Vapor Recovery (ORVR) systems. So how do you know your GDF needs upgrades? Just give your designated operator or gasoline tank contractor a call and hopefully he/she will have an answer. The deadline for compliance is March 1, 2006.
Fluorescent Lamps & Used Batteries Recycling, January 2006
On February 8, 2006, regulations that require recycling of mercury containing fluorescent lamps, batteries, (non-automotive type) and other mercury containing materials will be prohibited from disposal as ordinary trash and required to be recycled. Some of the Universal Wastes that require recycling is as follows:
- Fluorescent Lamps
- Mercury Containing Switches, Novelties & other products
- Batteries (non-automotive kind)
- Non-Empty Aerosols
- Cathode Ray Tube
Used Oil Recycling Program, November 2005
This is probably the best-kept secret: dealers can get money from the State! First, look at your new oil (or ATF, gear oil) bill. You will see a $0.16 fee for every gallon of oil purchased. You can get this fee back. All you have you do is become a Used Oil Recycling Center. Believe me, there are hundreds of them in L.A. County, so jump on the smart money bandwagon. Dealers, depending upon their oil use, have been getting up to four to five thousand dollars annually. Also, as a business helping to keep the environment clean adds a big plus to your image in the community.
Jail Time? May 2004
There are a few acts of omission or commission by the management that can get them to jail, i.e., the act is considered criminal in nature. Consider the case where a hoist in the shop is “jumping” (mal-functioning). The technician walks into the office of the Service Manager and informs that the hoist is not working and needs immediate repair. The Service Manager is busy in his every day chores and burdened with mounting expenses for the month, delays the repair of the hoist to the next month. Two weeks later, a car falls off the mal-functioning hoist and the operator employee is killed.
New Tires, Old News, August 2003
The National Transport and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 (15 USC 1381) requires all manufacturers of tires to provide tire registration forms to every distributor and dealer of its tires which offer new tires for sale. The law also unequivocally and unambiguously requires each independent dealer selling new tires to provide tire purchasers at the time of sale with a tire registration form. Further the law requires that before giving the registration form to the tire purchaser, the dealer “shall record in appropriate spaces” information as follows:
- Tire I.D. number of the tire sold/leased.
- Distributor/Dealers name and address or other means of identification known to the tire manufacturer.
Hexane Shexane, July 2002
Recently, newsletters have been circulating to auto industries highlighting the toxic effects of hexane, a chemical commonly found in brake cleaners. The toxic effects such as peripheral neuropathy (damage to nerves) from exposure to n-hexane have been known for over two decades. The safe exposure limits for hexane specified by governmental agencies has also been 50 ppm for a while.
Investigate Accidents, Log 300, Workers’ Compensation, etc., April 2002
Investigate Accidents: Save Money & Fight Fraud
A prompt, accurate and thoughtful accident investigation can, simply stated, save money and fight fraud. First, it is state law that mandates that an employer investigate each accident and take corrective measures to prevent repetition of accidents. Secondly, a written investigation report can be reviewed by senior management or the safety committee to undertake steps that would prevent such accidents in the future. Last and not the least, such reports can be useful ammo in fighting the 3F–Fictitious, Fraudulent or Frivolous claims. In summary, as an employer, it is your duty to provide a safe workplace and also to ensure that any worker’s compensation claim is legitimate and preventable in the future.
Workers’ Compensation, Proposition 65, Log 200, etc., August 2001
What’s Up 40%?
You think it’s your energy bills, wish it was your sales, but actually, it is your workers’ compensation insurance! Last year workers’ compensation premiums increased about 40% and this year it is expected to be up 30%. California amended its workers’ compensation law in 1995 to provide a more competitive field for insurance companies, thereby reducing the premiums for employers. In 1995, the law that required employers to pay workers’ compensation insurance was modified to an open rating system from a rate fixed by the state. The 1995 regulations sparked a price war amongst insurance companies much to the delight of employers. However, the premiums that went down about 50% in the year following the deregulation are up about 8% from the pre-deregulation days.
Insurance companies have reportedly increased the premiums to cover up their losses. Last year they lost about $3 billion in California alone. To make matters worse, some of them went belly-up or left the business in the state to minimize their exposure. For example, the second largest writer of workers’ compensation insurance in California, Fremont General Corp., is now under voluntary state supervision for its poor financial condition. Another reason was that when the stock market headed south, many insurance companies that had their fortunes tied up in the market got pummeled.
Tires, Money, Rules, etc., April 2001
Tires – Keep on Trucking
Late last year, the California legislature made significant changes to the California Tire Fee and used tire management programs. These issues were dealt in detail in our November 2000 newsletter. As part of the law enacted in late 2000, the regulating agency, California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) has developed new forms for dealers to report used tires generated at their facility.
Fluorescent Lamps, Tire Fees, SCAQMD Requirements, etc., November 2000
Bright Idea?
You cannot dump your fluorescent lamps into the dumpster any more! The US EPA has made changes to waste rules applying to spent mercury-containing light bulbs that requires recycling of these lamps and prohibit landfill disposal.
The rule has been adopted to reduce the disposal of mercury containing wastes into landfills. Mercury is a toxic pollutant that accumulates in our body, especially for children who are at a high risk as they absorb more mercury as a percentage of their body weight. Examples of wastes that are being regulated under this new rule are fluorescent, high-intensity discharge, neon, mercury vapor, high pressure sodium, metal halide, thermostat (with metallic mercury in an ampoule), batteries (non-automotive), and lamp ballasts.
Celly Services Inc. 