Whom to Contact:

Marie Martinko
Technical Director, Environment and Health
(202) 974-5330

Since 1985, SPI's Occupational Health and Environmental Issues Committee (OHEIC) has provided value to members and the greater plastics industry through critical activities on matters concerning the environment and worker health and safety.

SPI Environmental, Health and Safety Policy
OHEIC Brochure
"An SPI Guide to Safety and Health for the Plastics Industry"
OHEIC Vision, Mission
News
Task Groups
Future Meeting Dates
Acronyms
Membership
OHEIC NEWS*

*Members Only

OHEIC Vision, Mission

VISION

To be recognized as the leader in promoting world-class environmental, health, and safety performance in the plastics industry while providing outstanding industry representation and services to members.

MISSION

To provide the leadership, guidance, and support that will bring about continuous improvement in environmental, health, and safety performance in the plastics industry while promoting and serving member interests.

News

• The latest EPA Semiannual Regulatory Agenda was published in the Federal Register on December 10, 2007. The EPA publishes this agenda to update the public about: regulations and major policies currently under development, reviews of existing regulations and major policies, and rules and major policymakings completed or canceled since the last agenda.



• On November 14, 2006, EPA issued a Final Rule on reporting requirements under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) section 12(b) export notification regulations. A technical correction was issued on November 28, 2006. This affects those that export or intend to export any listed chemical substance or mixture for which certain requirements under TSCA sections 4-7 trigger the 12(b) notification, and includes plastics material and resin manufacturers classified under North American Industrial Classification System code 325. SPI submitted comments on the proposed rule.



• The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) released its final report on its combustible dust hazard investigations (November 9, 2006). CSB previously recommended that SPI communicate the findings and recommendations of a combustible dust explosion investigation report (Corbin, KY; fiberglass manufacturing) to our members. An OHEIC alert (revised) was issued to SPI members.



• On October 27, 2006, OSHA reissued its National Emphasis Program (NEP) on Amputations, which seeks to identify and reduce workplace machinery and equipment hazards that are causing or are likely to cause amputations. The revised NEP includes changes that will have significant impact on the full supply chain of the plastics industry. Inspections may begin as early as December 28, 2006. For details on which SIC codes and specific machinery and equipment are targeted under this expanded NEP, see this action alert.



• SPI submitted official comments on OSHA's September 12, 2006 advance notice of proposed rulemaking on OSHA's consideration of incorporating the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) into the Hazard Communication Standard. SPI supports the current OSHA HazCom Program and our comments raise concerns that the GHS initiative will have a direct and significant impact on the plastics industry.

Task Groups:

Please visit the following pages for specific topics and information.

• Worker Health & Safety - The mission of the OHEIC Worker Health and Safety Task Group is to provide information and tools for members to continuously improve their safety performance, and to provide input and direction on legislative and regulatory proposals.



• Environmental Issues - The mission of the OHEIC Environmental Issues Task Group is to provide information and tools to promote compliance with environmental laws, and to provide input and direction on legislative and regulatory proposals.



• Product Regulatory - The mission of the OHEIC Product Regulatory Issues Task Group is to protect polymer market interests including providing information on domestic and international activities that affect product management.

Future Meeting Dates

All SPI members with expertise or interest in worker health and safety, environmental and product regulatory topics affecting the plastics industry are encouraged to participate in the next OHEIC meeting, to be held at SPI Headquarters in Washington, DC. OHEIC is a technical forum for SPI members only; there is no meeting registration fee.

Current topics include: the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS), OSHA's National Emphasis Program on Amputations, combustible dust hazards, environmental compliance assistance tools, materials restriction and declaration (including RoHS/WEEE type initiatives), and environmentally preferable ("green") purchasing.

• April 15-16, 2008 * Rescheduled to May 1-2
• July 29-30, 2008

Membership in OHEIC

For more information on OHEIC, or to become a member, call Marie Martinko, at (202) 974-5330.

Membership in SPI

Whatever discipline describes your relationship with the plastics industry, SPI has benefits and services for you. One of the many advantages derived from activity in SPI is the opportunity to consult and network with representatives of all sectors of the plastics industry. SPI members also have the opportunity to be involved in decision-making and the satisfaction of knowing they are playing a positive role in their industry's future. For more information on SPI membership, call (202) 974-5200 or click here.

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