Today is Earth Day and many people are focused on what they can do to celebrate the day-- turn off a light, carpool, recycle their drink container. But let’s take a step back and take a look at the bigger picture.
Think about all of the laws and regulations that affect the earth every single day…emissions limits for industries, energy conservation requirements, waste disposal and recycling laws. All of these things happen on a daily basis and are important in the broader sense of protecting environmental resources.
Keeping yourself informed and up-to-date about the regulations in your industry is just as important as recycling that drink container or figuring out who to carpool with.
For example, 40 CFR 63 – “National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Source Categories” and 49 CFR 196 – “Transportation of Natural and Other Gas by Pipeline: Minimum Federal Safety Standards” were updated earlier this month.
These are examples of federal regulations, but keep in mind that states update their regulations frequently, too.
Environmental health and safety regulations at all levels of government (federal, state, county, city, etc.) are added to and amended all of the time.
So, do what you can to celebrate today…turn off that light, recycle that container. But also keep current with the rules and regulations in your industry.
Not only will that ensure you are in compliance with the latest regulations, but you will be doing your part to protect the earth and its resources, every day. That’s something to feel good about!
Technorati Tags: Earth day, EHS, Regulations, Environment
