S/P2 Newsletter for
July 2006

Volume 5- Issue7

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Has your shop ever had an accident while working with compressed gas?


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S/P2 Information
S/P2 School Programs Receives a Tune-up

This year, automotive instructors and returning students will experience a new look to S/P2. All schools enrolled in S/P2 will see a cleaner, easier-to-follow version, which includes new modules and graphics to help illustrate the topic at hand.

Instructors will find added features to the administration page including, customized reports to fit their needs and the ability to "mass reset" testing results for returning students.

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

2006 SkillsUSA Competition

To view a picture of the 2006 winners of the SkillsUSA Automotive Service Technology Competition and AST committee members click here! To view other SkillsUSA pictures click below:

AST Committee Members

Registration/Industry Donations

Enviromental Health and Safety Workstation on Compettion Day

Congratulations goes out to the winners:

Secondary:
Gold Medalist Scott Tonelli
Grafton High School
Grafton, Wisc.

Silver Medalist: Jack Frederick
Wichita High School
Wichita, Kans.

Bronze Medalist: Devan Fletcher
Mascenic Regional High School
New Ipwich, N.H.

Postsecondary:
Gold Medalist: Nick Johnson
MSU-Northern
Havre, Mont.

Silver Medalist: Mark McDonald
Columbus Technical College
Columbus, Ga.

Bronze Medalist: Whitney Stults
North Central Technical College
Beloit, Kans.

SIGN UP FOR PRIZES FROM CARQUEST IN
THE 2006 CCAR-GREENLINK USER SURVEY

CCAR-GreenLink®, the National Environmental Compliance Assistance Center for Auto Repair, is conducting an online user survey of its web site features and services. Survey participants may register for a drawing for gift certificates provided by CARQUEST Auto Parts. The survey is available at www.ccar-greenlink.org through July 31. Read more about the survey and prizes here!

Working Safely with Compressed Gasses

Compressed gasses are dangerous because they are stored in cylinders and tanks under high pressure, and because they can be flammable, poisonous, corrosive or even all three at once!

• Flammable compressed gasses are prone to explode if handled roughly or if exposed to heat. They may also flash back if vapors travel to a source of ignition.

• The chief danger of poisonous or corrosive gasses is exposure, which can result in dizziness, unconsciousness, suffocation, and burns to skin and eyes.

Even a non-flammable compressed gas can explode if handled roughly or exposed to heat, resulting in internal injuries if the released gas pressure hits the body directly. This might happen if an employee opens a valve with the nozzle pointed at himself instead of away from his body.
- Read this month's topic to find out more.

Article Sponsor

State Spotlight
Washington Department of Ecology (DOE)


The mission of the State of Washington's Department of Ecology (DOE) is to protect, preserve and enhance the enviroment, and promote the wise managment of air, land and water.

The DOE offers a collection of documents to promote the use of pollution prevention methods in the auto body and repair industry in Washington. These quick reference guides seek to reduce the amount of hazardous waste generated, reduce amount operating costs, and increase shop operators' ablity to comply with environmental regulations.

Here are some of the documents currently avaliable:

Click here for a complete list of automotive-related publications avaliable.

For additional information on the Washingtion DOE auto body and paint shop pollution prevention practices, contact:

Washington Deapartment of Ecology
P.O. Box 47600
Olympia, WA 98504-7600
360-407-6000


Hot Off The Press

Hazardous Waste Violations Can Really Add Up (Again)

Back in February, we wrote how quickly hazardous waste violations can add up when penalties are assessed by regulatory agencies, when an Oregon company was fined more than $50,000 by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality.

This month, the U.S. EPA has fined Aerosol Services Company, of City of Industry, Calif., $56,000 for violating federal hazardous waste regulations that also apply to automotive repair facilities. Based upon a January 2005 inspection, the EPA alleges that the company violated the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) by failing to:

• Close and label containers of hazardous waste;
• Obtain a permit for the storage of hazardous waste;
• Maintain the facility to prevent releases of hazardous waste;
• Store ignitable waste more than 50 feet from the property line;
• Conduct weekly inspections of the hazardous waste storage area;
• Transfer waste from leaky containers;
• Have a complete contingency plan; and
• Provide annual hazardous waste refresher training to its personnel.

The reality is certain: the cost of preventing violations is minimal compared to the end cost of the penalties. Make sure your employees understand the importance of keeping your facility in compliance.


EPA, OSHA and Industry News

EPA and Partners Unveil Delivery Truck with Lower Emissions, Higher Fuel Economy
Source: U.S. EPA

Michigan Gas Station Operator Reaches Plea Agreement on UST Violations
Source: Michigan DEQ

Massachusetts Firm Fined $20,000 for Violations Including Hazardous Waste Dispoal ,Paint Booth Operation
Source: Massachusetts DEP

California Air Resources Board Receives $299,000 Settlement for Heavy-Duty Diesel Violations
Source: CARB

Michigan Tire Dumping Case Results in Fine, Jail Time and Probation
Source: Michigan DEQ

Rhode Island Enforcement Actions Include UST Violations, Fines
Source: Rhode Island DEM

June 1 Marks Historic Milestone in Clean Diesel
Source: U.S. EPA

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