Twenty-five new schools registered in October and November to utilize CCAR’s S/P2 e-learning in Safety and Pollution Prevention in their automotive training programs.

“Following the record usage of S/P2 that took place in September, it is heartening to see the continued expansion of CCAR’s outreach effort to schools,” said Guy Bargnes, CCAR Chairman. “Assisting the automotive industry in gaining a greater understanding of its compliance responsibilities related to safety and the environment is a year-round effort, and our work with automotive instructors and schools is a key component.” Bargnes is Director of Marketing, BASF Corporation, NAFTA Region/Automotive Refinish.

The new schools are:

• Anoka High School, Anoka, Minn.
• Bridgeport High School, Bridgeport, Texas
• Bronx Community College, Bronx, N.Y.
• Camden High School, Camden, N.J.
• Centerline High School, Centerline, Mich.
• Champlin High School, Champlin, Minn.
• David Crockett High School, Austin, Texas
• DeKalb Technical College, Covington, Ga.
• Green Bay Public Schools, Green Bay, Wis.
• Hampton High School, Hampton, Tenn.
• Kishwaukee College , Malta, Ill.
• La Follette High School, Madison, Wis.
• Levelland High School, Levelland, Texas
• Lincoln Technical Institute, Union, N.J.
• Montreal L'Ecole D'Automobiles ( School of Automobiles), Montreal, Quebec
• Mount Carmel High School, San Diego, Calif.
• Mount Wachusett Community College, Gardner, Mass.
• Northwestern Technical College, Rock Spring, Ga.
• Osceola High School, Kissimmee, Fla.
• Poway High School, Poway, Calif.
• South Dade Adult Education Center, Leisure City, Fla.
• Sumner High School, Sumner, Wash.
• Tennessee Technical Center – Crossville, Tenn.
• Trezevant Career and Technical School, Memphis, Tenn.
• United South High School, Laredo, Texas

“I am very grateful that CCAR allows schools like ours participate in the program at no cost,” said Bruce Duncan, auto technology instructor at Gaithersburg High School, Gaithersburg, Md., which began using S/P2 last summer. “The majority of our students could not afford to participate otherwise, and those students who go on to careers in the auto repair industry will certainly be safer and better-informed workers. That’s not only better for them but for the industry as well!”

CCAR provides S/P2 to automotive training programs free of charge, and more than 2,000 schools across the country now have access. To get your school ready for S/P2 in the coming semester, call toll-free to 1-888-772-3535.

by Rod Enlow, CCAR Director of Auto Industry Relations

We had an abbreviated, almost non-existent hurricane season this year - and that was really a good thing, considering the ongoing economic and environmental effects of Hurricane Katrina on the Gulf Coast that will continue for years, if not decades. Still, with no major hurricanes in 2006, many in our industry may be wondering, “Why do I need to be concerned about flooded vehicles now?”

The mission of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is "to prevent, abate and control the pollution of the air, water and land." The DEP administers programs, educates and makes regulatory decisions that contribute to the achievement of this mission.

The DEP provides help to business and industry through its Small Business Technical Assistance Program (SBTAP). This includes on-site business visits that are intended to be helpful, low stress, and designed to give clear and helpful information related directly to the individual small business at their location.

Skidding, slipping, sliding and spinning: Driving in bad weather can be challenging and costly. Property damage, disability payments, workers’ compensation claims and lawsuits can result from vehicle collisions. Keep in mind that winter driving can be hazardous in any part of the country and that conditions vary depending on geographical region. In the northern and northeastern regions, winter means snow and ice. In the southeast and southern regions, it can mean heavy rain and occasional ice. In the far west and northwest, fog and rain can make for dangerous commuting.

However, inclement weather does not cause accidents. Accidents happen when drivers fail to adjust their vehicle’s speed and stopping distance on wet, muddy, icy or snow-covered roads. The key to safe winter driving is preparation. Both the driver and the vehicle must be ready for adverse weather conditions. It is your responsibility as owner or manager to make sure your employees are ready for the worst.

by Natalie Schoonover, CCAR Environmental /Safety Specialist

For many years, automotive service and repair shops have indirectly or directly sent their wastes into the water supply through floor drains and/or runoff from their operations that are connected to wells or storm drains. These wastes include petroleum products, degreasing solvents, car wash water, metals, battery electrolytes, paints, thinners and many others.

According to research from the University of South Carolina, School of the Environment, automotive shops are the largest Small Quantity Generators (SQGs) of hazardous waste in the U.S.

It’s important for the auto repair industry to know more about the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), which celebrates its 32nd anniversary this month. The SWDA - originally passed by Congress in 1974 and amended in 1986 and 1996 - protects soil, lakes, rivers, reservoirs, springs and the water that we drink from being contaminated.

Best Management Practices (BMPs) like the ones listed here can reduce waste from entering groundwater or surface water:

• Never pour waste into floor drains or storm drains.
• Close off and seal all shop floor drains.
• Run a “dry shop” by installing drop pans and trays.
• Be prepared to clean up spills.
• Use secondary containment for storage drums.
• Train employees proper spill response.
• Properly maintain equipment and check for leaks.
• Use less toxic cleaners (check with your vendor).
• Use a mop or wet-vac to clean floors. Do not flush floors with water.
• Drain all used oil filters for 24 hours into a waste oil container.
• Store used batteries on pallet with liner so they cannot leak onto floors.
• Seal the floors with a sealant that allows you to mop up spills instead of rinsing them.

Using BMPs like these can help you avoid possible fines and protect public water. Use the SDWA anniversary as a reminder to review your operations and make sure you are doing all you can to protect the drinking water supply in your community.

EPA Issues Final Rule on Oil Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasures
Source: U.S. EPA

Retail Gasoline Station and Maintenance Garage
Source: Massachusetts DEP

Pennsylvania Merges State Program with National Effort to Remove Mercury Switches from Cars
Source: Pennsylvania DEP

Missouri Department of Natural Resources Urges Salvage Yard Participation in Mercury Reduction Program
Source: Missouri DNR

Pennslvania DEP Orders Gas Station to Empty Tanks After Repeated UST Violations
Source: Pennslvania DEP

email: newsletter@ccar-greenlink.org

phone: 888-772-3535 (toll-free)

web: http://www.sp2.org