News and Insights
Page 6

Construction soils management continues to be an important discussion topic among contractors, consultants, and even the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP). With the limited amount of disposal locations in Massachusetts, finding proper locations for soils has become a significant issue during many construction projects. In order to resolve some of these issues, MassDEP issued a “Similar Soils Policy&rdquo...

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In November 2013, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MADEP) proposed changes to their air pollution control rules governing asbestos.  Significant changes include the explicit requirement for building owners/operators to inspect for asbestos prior to demolition, renovation or other disturbance.  An expanded definition of “friable” material incorporates material that is crumbled, shattered, pulverized or reduced to powder...

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Massachusetts’ own version of process safety management, 527 CMR 33, continues with first year implementation filing deadlines for manufacturing operations that “involves or produces a hazardous material”.  Five (5) permit categories have been established with Category 5 users involving or processing the greatest quantity of hazardous materials and Category 1 the least (i.e. vessels equal to...

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The Globally Harmonized System (GHS) is an international approach to hazard communication, providing agreed criteria for classification of chemical hazards, and a standardized approach to label elements and safety data sheets (SDS).  OSHA has modified the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) to adopt the GHS and as such employers that are currently subject to HazCom rules must comply with GHS...

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In February 2014, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MADEP) promulgated significant amendments to the Department’s solid waste regulations 310 CMR 19.000 that include the addition of commercial organic waste as a “waste ban” material, and lowering of thresholds to existing banned materials such as paper, plastic, glass, and metal.  Commercial organic material means food material...

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SAK Environmental LLC was recently admitted to the National Association of Environmental Managers. NAEM is the largest professional trade association of corporate EH&S Managers. Membership was no easy task and required sponsorship, interviews, and board approval.  Learn about NAEM....

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SAK Environmental received approval for a Massachusetts Brownfields Generic Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) by US EPA Region 1. This Generic QAPP was developed in accordance with US EPA guidance documents to provide a framework to Brownfield assessments and cleanup within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  The purpose of the QAPP is to establish Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for sampling...

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SAK Environmental celebrates 10 years of business success! Starting as a small one person office to annual revenue over $1M, SAK Environmental has grown over the past ten years. One thing that has not changed however is how we do business; our very first customer continues to do business with us today.  Repeat and referral business are what...

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The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MADEP) recently released a final Solid Waste Master Plan through 2020 for the state, themed with putting Massachusetts on a “zero waste” path. The Plan includes a goal of reducing waste by 30% by 2020 and 80% by 2050.  A major component to achieving this goal is expansion of third party, independent...

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Massachusetts Air Source Registrations and Emissions Statements (April to July) MassDEP requires submittal of Air Source Registration/Emission Statements annually for some sources and triennially (every three years) for others. MassDEP has implemented on-line source registration filings and has staggered filing deadlines as follows – Annual filers – Operating Permit facilities must file by April 15, 2013; Non-Operating Permit facilities must...

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