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Author: Brian Schefke

AISC Updates Steel Fabrication Standard

https://www.freerconsulting.com/aisc-certification-consulting The American Institute for Steel Construction (AISC) has updated its steel fabrication standard, now titled Standard for Certification Programs 207-20, which supersedes the prior Certification Standard for Steel Fabrication and Erection, and Manufacturing of Metal Components 207-16. The new standard takes effect on June 1, 2021 and is available for download. A brief summary of the changes to the

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New Edition of AWS D1.1/D1.1M Standard Released

The American Welding Society (AWS) has released the 2020 revision of the D1.1/D1.1M Structural Welding Code for steel. You can find a summary of the changes on the American National Standards Institute website here and a YouTube video from the AWS describing the changes in more detail here. If you would like help becoming certified in this or other industrial

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Changes to AWO Responsible Carrier Program

The American Waterways Operators (AWO) has implemented changes in its Responsible Carrier Program (RCP). If your company is a participant in the RCP, it might be a good time to review your safety management system to ensure that your company is in compliance. According to The Waterways Journal Weekly, changes to the RCP include: AWO members may use any safety

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Tire Dust Is Poisoning Coho Salmon

In December of 2020, The Seattle Times reported that in a paper published in Science magazine, researchers have identified an antioxidant chemical used in tire rubber that can cause the deaths of coho salmon, particularly in the Puget Sound region: More specifically, a single chemical, 6PPD-quinone, derived from a preservative that helps tires last longer, is particularly harmful. Through painstaking

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The Risks of Using Excel for Data Management

Many businesses use Excel spreadsheets to track, collate, and process data, and it’s easy to understand why. Excel is ubiquitous and is easy to use. Excel’s strengths, however, can also become serious risks. Last October, Public Health England lost 16,000 COVID-19 test results because of limits on the number of rows Excel can handle: A million-row limit on Microsoft’s Excel

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Alaska Construction General Permit Available for Review

If your business has coverage under the Alaska Construction General Permit for Discharges from Large and Small Construction Activities, you have an opportunity to review and comment on the proposed final permit that the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will issue to succeed the current permit. The last day to submit feedback to DEC is December 9, 2020, so

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Ecology Releases New Construction Stormwater General Permit

The Washington Department of Ecology has reissued the Construction Stormwater General Permit to take effect on January 1, 2021. The permit authorizes stormwater and approved non-stormwater discharges associated with construction activity. Permit coverage is required for the following: Ongoing construction sites that are covered under the existing permit Construction sites that disturb one acre or more of land and discharge

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EPA Proposes Changes in New MSGP

In March of 2020, the EPA released its final proposed version of the Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP) that will replace the 2015 version currently in force. The MSGP authorizes stormwater discharges in areas where the EPA is the permitting authority, e.g., areas not covered by a state general permit. The comment period for the proposed permit ended June 1, and

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Remote Stormwater Regulatory Compliance

In this time of social distancing due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it’s challenging to comply with regulatory requirements due to disruptions in business operations or lowered staff availability. Despite these challenges, there isn’t a legal mechanism that relieves businesses of their duty of regulatory compliance. The pandemic and efforts to fight it continue, yet rain will still fall and stormwater

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Changes to the Washington ISGP: Are You in Compliance?

The new Industrial Stormwater General Permit (ISGP) for the state of Washington went into effect on January 1, 2020 and contains many changes from the 2015 permit that affect both current permittees and businesses that were previously not covered by the permit. Major changes include: When applying for coverage, applicants must identify their industrial category using North American Industry Classification

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