BACKGROUND: Used oil filters may exhibit hazardous characteristics and are hence, classified as hazardous waste in California. To encourage recycling of used oil filters, California DTSC adopted reduced handling requirements for drained used oil filters that are sent for recycling as scrap metal. We wrote about that in July 2016 stating that you should drain the filter properly. Now the DTSC (Cal/EPA) has started to classify all used oil filters, with a flapper valve that prevents oil from being drained out, as hazardous waste.
Program
Brouhaha Over Paper or Metal – Management of Used Oil & Fuel Filters (CA ONLY), July 2016
BACKGROUND: Used Oil Filters may exhibit hazardous characteristics and hence are classified as hazardous waste in California. To encourage recycling of used oil filters, California DTSC adopted reduced handling requirements for drained used oil filters that are sent for recycling as scrap metal. Used oil filters must not be disposed in trash cans or at nonhazardous waste landfills. Legislation was enacted in 2004 (AB 2254, Aghazarian) that allowed spent fuel filters from automobiles be added to spent oil filters for disposal.
Heat Illness Prevention Program Training, May 2016
Background: Cal/OSHA heat illness prevention regulation (T8CCR3395) became effective on May 1, 2015. This standard applies to outdoor areas of employment. When porters are parking cars and salespersons are showing automobiles on display to customers or taking them on test drives, they are considered to be working outdoors. Fed-OSHA also requires that employees be trained in heat illness prevention under a general injury prevention standard. Cal/OSHA enforcement details are at http://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/heatillnessqa.html.
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.
Wastewater Disposal, Respiratory Protection Program, Forklift Operator Training, etc., May 1999
Wastewater Disposal
A number of auto dealers in Orange County, California are involved in a lawsuit over improper disposal of wastewater to storm drains. A company that previously was involved in cleaning the shop floors at some of these dealerships has filed the lawsuit. While the legal theories being used in the lawsuit are complex, the objective of this article is to reinforce proper wastewater disposal procedures for the dealerships.
Cal/OSHA Adopts New Ergonomic Standard, July 1997
Cal/OSHA’s ergonomic standard has been adopted amid much controversy. The California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board adopted on April 17 a simplified regulation to protect employees from repetitive motion injuries (RMIs). Section 5110 of Title 8 of the Californian Code of Regulations (General Industry Safety Orders) requires employers to institute a program designed to minimize RMIs whenever two or more employees doing substantially the same repetitive activity suffer a musculoskeletal injury that a licensed physician attributes to a repetitive motion task performed on the job. This standard is not retroactive and the RMIs must be reported to the employer in the last 12 months.
Volatile Organic Chemicals (VOC) Reclaim Program Discontinued, January 1996
VOC Reclaim Program Discontinued
In late 1995, dealerships in the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) with a bodyshop received a VOC RECLAIM package from the SCAQMD. The package was sent to all facilities that had VOC discharges in excess of 4 tons/year in 1990 or any subsequent year.
The VOC RECLAIM program required the dealership to reduce the amount of VOC emitted to the atmosphere in a phased manner beginning in 1997.
Celly Services Inc. 