The GM Automotive Service Educational Program (ASEP) held its 2006 IAGMASEP Conference earlier this month in Portland, Ore. The Coordinating Committee For Automotive Repair (CCAR) was there to update ASEP instructors on S/P2 and to present awards to instructors whose schools ranked in as the "Top 10" ASEP users for the 2005-2006 school year. The top ten schools are:

• Community College of Southern Nevada, Las Vegas, Nev.
• Cuyamaca College, El Cajon, Calif.
• Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC), Ankeny, Iowa
• San Jacinto College, Pasadena, Texas
• Fox Valley Technical College, Appleton, Wis.
• Delta College, University Center, Mich.
• Guilford Technical Community College, Jamestown, N.C.
• Brookhaven College, Farmers Branch, Texas
• Southeast Community College, Milford, Neb.
• Florida Community College, Jacksonville, Fla.

The U.S. Department of Labor reminds us that, during the holiday season, the workplace is frequently a place where employers and employees get together to unwind and celebrate. Typically, workplace parties involve plenty of food and drinks. If the drinks include alcohol, however, they can have unfortunate consequences.

Shops and schools using S/P2 to train technicians and students are invited to display the graphic seen at left on your company or school web site. To find out more, contact Jennifer Penland at 1-888-772-3535.

S/P2 is provided free of charge to automotive training programs across the U.S., and more than 2,000 schools are currently enrolled. Is your school - or a school you work with - signed up yet for S/P2? Call toll-free to 1-888-772-3535 to enroll.

New Assigned Protection Factors (APFs) for respiratory protection programs are being incorporated into the OSHA (U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration) respiratory protection standard. This APF final rule completes the revision of the reserve sections of OSHA's Respiratory Protection Standard as published in 1998. The Respiratory Protection Standard will now contain provisions necessary for a comprehensive respiratory protection program, including selection and use of respirators, training, medical evaluation, and fit testing.

The Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC), which was created in the early 1990's to protect natural resources in the State of Texas, has evolved into today's Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). The TCEQ's mission is to protect the state's human and natural resources consistent with sustainable economic development. The stated goal of TCEQ is "clean air, clean water, and the safe management of waste."

Compliance information assembled by the agency includes:

• Auto Body Shops
• Auto Repair Shops
• Auto Salvage Yards

DNREC Announces New Program to Remove Mercury Switches from Cars
Source: Delware DNREC

Georgia EPD Enforcement Actions Include Car Dealer, Auto Body Shops
Source: Georgia EPD

EPA Seeks Comments on Draft Grant Guidelines for UST Inspections
Source: U.S. EPA

Michigan DEQ Reaches Settlement with Transportation Company on Unlawful Discharges of Pollutants
Source: Michigan DEQ

Virginia Company Fined $3.1 Million for UST Violations
Source: U.S. EPA Region 3

EPA Enforcement Cuts Pollution by 3 Billion Pounds Over Last Three Years
Source: U.S. EPA Region 3

EPA Settlement for Alleged UST Violations Includes $284,156 Civil Penalty, Special Environmental Project
Source: U.S. EPA Region 3

EPA Proposes Gasoline- and Money-Saving Rules for Gas Distributors
Source: U.S. EPA Region 1