Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Forum
In July 2003, at the request of representatives of several companies, The Phylmar Group established a group to monitor and analyze proposed Cal/OSHA and Federal OSHA regulations and legislation, provide a forum for information exchange, and advocate for businesses during the administrative rulemaking process. The group began with six companies, and now includes 36 companies.
Environment and Sustainability (ES) Digest
In response to companies’ increasing desire to incorporate environmentally sustainable practices and technologies into their business operations, as well as their on-going need to comply with environmental regulations, Phylmar is launching the new Environment and Sustainability Digest in 2010 to address these topics.
MONITORING AND ANALYSIS OF OSHA AND ENVIRONMENTAL AND SUSTAINABILITY ACTIVITIES
OSH Forum
Phylmar staff review relevant documents, evaluate their potential impact on businesses, prepare an analysis, and make recommendations (if appropriate) in the following situations: a regulation is proposed by Federal OSHA or Cal/OSHA; comments are requested on compliance directives or other materials (e.g., comments filed on Cal/OSHA’s ergonomics booklet), as advisory committees are formed or take action (e.g., Sensitizing Substances in the Workplace), compliance materials are drafted or released, legislation is introduced or acted upon (Federal or California), or other events occur of interest to businesses with operations in California. Information on international developments, workplace safety and health litigation, and other events affecting the occupational safety and health community are distributed. In some cases a thorough analysis is prepared (e.g., OSHA ANPR on the Globally Harmonized System for Classification and Labeling of Chemicals and Cal/OSHA’s activity on Permissible Exposure Limits and Heat Illness), while in other cases, a brief update of interest is provided. Materials are archived on a special “members-only” section of the Phylmar Web site.
ES Digest
Phylmar staff review and distribute brief environmental and sustainability updates of interest from industry news, proposed and enacted legislation and regulations, regulatory updates, enforcement actions, litigation, and other relevant sources of information for events of interest to businesses with operations in California. Subscription topics include Federal Updates, California Updates, International Updates, Climate Change, Energy, Sustainability and Green Chemistry. Information will be geared towards helping clients manage their environmental risk and assisting with compliance efforts. It will be also geared to helping clients take their organization to the next level towards sustainability and making their environmental departments into cost savers instead of cost centers. Among other subjects, these updates will cover environmental laws and regulations; tools and methods of hazardous and universal waste management; air quality programs and compliance; hazardous chemical management and compatibility; spill prevention, control and countermeasure plans; water quality programs and compliance; storm water management; multi-media process management and optimization; pollution prevention and waste minimization (lean manufacturing); California’s Proposition 65 and Climate Change Law AB 32; sustainability principles in action, and Corporate Social Responsibility. Materials are archived on a special “members-only” section of the Phylmar Web site.
NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES
OSH Forum
A web-based bulletin board provides the opportunity for health and safety professionals to raise issues, ask questions, or share concerns with participating (client) companies. In addition, conference calls are held several times per year during which topics of interest are addressed. Topics covered in conference calls to date include the following: Corporate Social Responsibility, Pandemic/Avian Influenza, Globally Harmonized System for Labeling and Classification of Hazardous Substances, Privileged EHS Audits, and several calls to discuss specific regulatory issues (e.g., Sensitizers, Laboratory Fume Hoods, Heat Illness, lockout/tagout).
SEMINARS
Twice a year, Roundtable participants for each forum will be invited to attend a forum seminar hosted by one of the participants. This provides an opportunity to network in person with EHS professionals. Phylmar develops the agenda, invites speakers, and prepares meeting materials. The focus of the OS&H seminars is best practices in health and safety regulatory development and enforcement issues. The focus of the ES seminars is best practices, environmental regulatory development, enforcement issues, and sustainability success stories. Seminars provide ample opportunities for in-depth discussions with peers.
REGULATORY UPDATE CONSULTATION
Phylmar regulatory staff are available to discuss the regulatory updates, their implications, and recommendations for action with Roundtable participants. More extensive, individualized consultation may be obtained through a separate arrangement.
If you would like additional information on the OSH Forum or would like to inquire about membership for your company, click here or email etreanor@phylmar.com.
If you would like additional information on the ES Digest or would like to inquire about membership for your company, email lynn@beyondcompliance.net.
