3 EPA Acts and What Your Team Should Know About Them

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When you’re organizing and managing a job site, there are many things you need to know, including regulations set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA has created several acts regulating aspects of your job site, from properly marking portable water bladders to correctly disposing of toxic waste. Here are three of the most important EPA acts your team should keep in mind while working.

spill containment berms
Spill Containment Berms

Clean Water Act (CWA)

The Clean Water Act (CWA) was created to help protect the country’s waterways. From industrial waste to chemical pollutants, there are many different factors every construction team needs to remember to adhere to the CWA. Ultimately, this EPA act aims to keep navigable waters and groundwater clean. By complying with this act, you can prevent, reduce, and eliminate any pollution that might be caused by your team.

Some of the most common CWA violations can give you an idea of which important details you should prioritize. An example is improper spill prevention measures, which you can solve by setting up spill containment berms on your site.

Another common violation is failing to set up a Storm water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP). Make sure you keep a well-documented plan that your team is trained on.

As a general rule of thumb, make sure you always properly dispose of materials. If you are releasing pumped water, make sure it goes through a dewatering bag. If you work with hazardous chemicals, keep them in a proper container and dispose of them according to EPA standards.

Clean Air Act (CAA)

The EPA introduced the Clean Air Act (CAA) to improve air quality, promote the safety of the environment, and prioritize public health. It addresses everything from sources of air pollutants to acid rain control. Contaminants can include volatile organic chemicals, pesticides, inorganic chemicals, and radio nuclides.

It’s essential to understand the CAA because everyday items like refrigerators and air conditioners can be sources of pollutants you aren’t even aware of. That’s why it’s important to read up on the CAA and understand how it affects your job site.

Frequent violations that the EPA sees include improperly trained asbestos personnel, lack of documentation, and failure to get boilers permitted, among others. These are just some of the violations you should be aware of to keep the environment safe and avoid potentially costly fines.

Resource Conservation Recovery Act (RCRA)

When it comes to EPA regulations, the Resource Conservation Recovery Act (RCRA) is one of the most important regulations to understand. It was created to ensure that proper precautions are followed for waste disposal in an effort to limit the impact on humans and the environment.

Frequent RCRA violations include disposing of hazardous wastes down a drain, improper labeling, open containers, and noncompliance with storage tank regulations.

The best way to ensure you are RCRA compliant is by writing down your plans and regulations so you can train each team member to follow all the necessary precautions. Note every step of the waste disposal process. Include steps that detail how you will label wastewater bags to keep them separate from your drinking water storage bladder. You can also outline how to properly secure waste containers, your emergency spill plans, and all the steps of physical disposal. With these three EPA acts in mind, you can create a plan to be sure your team is always compliant.

About AIRE Environmental 

Project managers and team leaders in every industry trust AIRE Environmental—formerly known as AIRE Industrial—for spill containment, water storage, and environmental protection solutions. There’s a reason that AIRE Environmental can support operations in so many sectors. From emergency relief organizations to road construction contractors and even government agencies, AIRE Environmental has proven that their products can stand up to any test. Their solutions can handle leaks, spills, erosion, and liquid waste disposal easily. Best of all, they design and manufacture high-quality products at their facility in Meridian, Idaho, USA. Whether you need spill containment berms or portable water tanks, AIRE Environmental’s high-quality products are the perfect solution. If you don’t see a product that fits your needs, AIRE Environmental will work with you to design a custom solution. That means you can stay prepared for anything.

Explore bladders and berms to help you follow EPA regulations at https://www.aireenvironmental.com

Location: 2021 E Wilson Ln, Meridian, ID 83642, USA

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