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Brenda Mahedy

Mobile Computing Improving EH&S Management

OSHA Digital Expert
Virtual Compliance, Inc., recently introduced OSHA Digital Expert. This online tool allows users to:

      • Determine their OSHA compliance obligations by answering a series of “yes-no” questions
      • Manage tasks using an online management system
      • Purchase relevant supplies, services, and training online via reputable suppliers

OSHA Digital Expert is the second in the company’s series of Digital Experts™; HazMat Digital Expert was the first to be released. These products combine Internet delivery with current regulatory content and expert system technology. They offer web-based access to the supplies, services, and training related to each compliance topic.

“We’re pleased to roll out our second Digital Expert™ right on the heels of our HazMat Digital Expert,” said David C. Frankil, CEO of Virtual Compliance. “We’ve been involved with Internet-driven OSHA compliance for several years, and this next generation tool embodies what we’ve learned, combined with the very latest in technologies. We’re offering something new, and highly relevant, to anyone who must
comply with OSHA rules.”

After the user answers a series of “yes-no” questions about workplace activities, the online system generates a set of regulatory action steps in the form of a “to do” list of action items. It also provides a variety of related management tools and links to vendors of corresponding services.

For more information, contact Virtual Compliance, Inc., 1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1200, Arlington, VA 22209, telephone (877) 678-8266 (toll-free) or (703) 340-1700.

New MIRS Release
This month, A V Systems, Inc., released a new version of its MIRS™ (Material Inventory Report System) software. The new release contains all EPA SARA Title III, Section 313, Toxic Release Inventory changes for Report Year 2000.

On the surface, these appear to be relatively minor changes. However, according to Andrew Rudnik, President and CEO of A V Systems, several major changes to Section 313 reporting (Form R) requirements “create tremendous challenges for companies that have manually tracked and reported SARA Section 313 listed chemical releases. The newly-added chemicals and the varied thresholds make the TRI reporting process increasingly complex. The MIRS™ FORM R module provides the necessary step-by-step guidance to ensure accurate Form R and Form A reporting.”

A group of previously regulated chemicals and additional new chemicals have been classified as Persistent Bioaccumulative Toxics, or PBTs. With this new classification comes significantly lower thresholds and a newly-defined compound category for 17 highly-regulated Dioxin and Dioxin-like compounds that require reporting in different units of measurement.

“When a MIRS™ user tracks his or her chemical inventory throughout the year, a Form R report can be completed in as little as 20 minutes. That’s a very attractive number as compared to the EPA’s recent estimate of 52.1 hours per Form R response, published in this year’s Toxic Chemical Release Inventory Reporting Forms and Instructions,” Rudnik added.

MIRS is an integrated, modular software package that collects environmental data and produces agency mandated and ad hoc reports for SARA, TRI, CAA, CWA, RCRA, and DOT waste handling, MSDS management, and OSHA Hazard Communication.

For more information, contact A V Systems, Inc., 4657 Platt Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48108-9726, telephone (734) 973-3000, fax (734) 677-4480, email MIRS@MIRSinfo.com, web site www.mirsinfo.com.

HazMat Loader
RegScan Incorporated has created a new software product called HazMat Loader that the company hopes will reduce the number of illegal Hazmat shipments in the United States. According to RegScan, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) estimates that four billion tons of regulated hazardous materials move annually in America, and half of all Hazmat shipments violate Federal Safety regulations. A growing volume of shipments increases the chances that an accident or incident will
release a harmful product, requiring a specialized response and endangering the public safety.

Statistics provided by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (Commercial Vehicle Statistics 1999 – MCMIS Interstate and Intrastate Data) found that 49% of all Hazmat inspections uncover safety violations. One-third of the violators are fined for improper placarding, a violation that potentially puts emergency response workers and the public at risk.

HazMat Loader is designed to inform government workers, drivers, dockworkers, carriers, and shippers whether a load is legal. It addresses HazMat placarding, labeling, and segregation issues.

John Mihalick, RegScan’s National Sales Manager, said, “Enforcement officials in different states have indicated that, in just minutes, HazMat Loader can determine if a violation has occurred. Currently, it can take an inspector almost an hour to search the 2,500-plus hazardous materials covered by 49 CFR Consolidated Table HM181. HazMat Loader‘ ability to reduce inspection times will result in more inspections and will increase public safety.”

For more information, visit www.hazmat.regscan.com. or contact a RegScan by telephone at (800) 734-7226 ext. 1415.