Thanks to generous donations of materials from the automotive industry, the Coordinating Committee For Automotive Repair (CCAR®) will present special "S/P2 Safety Kits" to automotive participants of SkillsUSA Championship 2006, which take place June 22 in Kansas City, Mo., during the annual SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference.

Each S/P2 Safety Kit contains Nitrile and Nitrile-Coated Gloves, Impact Gloves, PVC dotted Gloves, Safety Glasses, Ear Plugs, an N95 Particulate Respirator, and an Emergency Response Guidebook.

CCAR's S/P2 e-learning program for Safety and Pollution Prevention will have a role in the upcoming SkillsUSA Championships, as competitors in the automotive technology area will be tested in their knowledge of safety and environmental issues.

CCAR wishes to thank the following companies for their donations to both the Safety Kits and the S/P2 testing area of the Championships:

• 3M
• CARQUEST Corporation
• GEICO
• State of Kansas, Division of Emergency Management
• Lab Safety Supply,Inc./Ben Meadows Company
• SAS Safety Corporation

"CCAR is grateful to these companies for their participation," said Robert G. Stewart, CCAR President. " Together, we are making a difference by raising awarness among the next generation of technicians of important issues related to their personal safety and protecting the environment around us."

The SkillsUSA Championships are sponsored annually by SkillsUSA, a national nonprofit organization serving more than 280,000 high school and college students, as well as professional members enrolled in training programs in trade, technical and skilled service occupations. The Championships, to be held June 21-22 in conjunction with the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Kansas City, MO., are expected to draw more than 4,600 contestants in 80 seperate events, including auto service technology.

For complete information, visit S/P2 web site at www.sp2.org or call our NEW toll-free number at 1-888-772-3535.

Florida DEP Compliance Assistance Program (CAAR)

OSHA Releases Best Practices Guide for First-Aid Programs

• Identifying and assessing workplace hazards.
• Designing a program to prevent and control hazards.
• Regular health and safety training to employees, in case an accident occurs.
• Periodic updates put in a written program, to maintain knowledge and skills of first aid program.

These best practices for planning and conducting effective first-aid training in your workplace are essential to keeping your shop safe. Remember, training on a regular basis is the key to staying in compliance and reducing accidents. 

The guide suggests general instruction and updated training every year for life-threatening emergencies, such as those in which Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) or use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) is necessary. For non-life-threatening emergencies, where basic first-aid is administered, training can be updated periodically.

Training for your employees in CPR, AED and first-aid is available thorugh your local American Red Cross. For more information, click here.

To download a copy of the new OSHA Best Practices Guide, go to: http://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3317first-aid.pdf.

EPA Seeks Public Comment on Underground Storage Tank Draft Grant Guidelines

The U.S. EPA has released for public comment three draft documents which contain grant guidelines for underground storage tank systems. The draft guidelines will establish minimum requirements on delivery prohibition, secondary containment and financial responsibility and certification that states must meet to be in compliance with provisions of the Energy Policy Act. EPA worked with state agencies and other partners to develop grant guidelines and, when final, will incorporate them into grant agreements between EPA and state agencies. EPA will accept public comments on these three draft guidelines until June 24, 2006. EPA's Web site provides the public with the draft guidlines, as well as details about how and where to submit comments.

Draft Secondary Containment Grant Guidelines:

http://www.epa.gov/oust/fedlaws/draft sc.htm

Draft Financial Responsibility and Certification Grant Guidelines:

http://www.epa.gov/oust/fedlaws/draft fr.htm

Draft Delivery Prohibition Grant Guidelines:

http://www.epa/gov/oust/fedlaws/draft dp. htm

Three Massachusetts Companies Involved in Motor Vehicle Fueling and Maintenance Fined for Environmental Violations
Source: Massachusetts DEP

Massachusetts Oil Company pays $2,500 Penalty for Violating Waste Site Cleanup Requirements
Source: Massachusetts DEP

Hawaii State Department of Health Cities ABC Used Auto Parts for Solid Waste Violations
Source: Hawaii Dept. of Health

U.S. EPA Reaches Settlement With Dean's Auto Salvage for Hazardous Waste and Used Oil Violations
Source: U.S. EPA, Region 9

California DTSC Issues $23,100 Enforcement Order Against Hazardous Waste Transporter
Source: California DTSC

Norwell Car Dealership Assessed $2,530 Penalty for Violating State Environmental Regulations
Source: Massachusetts DEP

U.S. EPA Orders Southern California Radiator Firm to Comply with Hazardous Waste Regulations
Source: U.S. EPA, Region 9

OSHA, ASSE, Industry Group Team Up to Increase Job Safety for North American Occupational Safety and Health Week
Source: OSHA