If your facility has a spray booth, it is important that you provide adequate clearance around it to ensure you’re in compliance with OSHA regulations. In most cases, that means that “each spray booth shall be separated from other operations by not less than 3 feet, or by a greater distance, or by such partition… Read More

Facilities that are classified as “major facilities” per 6 NYCRR 201-2.1 (Subpart 201-2) are subject to Title V permit requirements. Under 6 NYCRR 202-2 (Subpart 202-2), all facilities must provide an annual emissions statement, which is a quantitative summary of air contaminants emitted. Some examples of characteristics that require facilities to acquire a Title V… Read More

State and local regulations govern the permissible levels of certain emissions. Those requirements dictate when a facility owner needs a permit. Permits and registrations are legal documents that facility owners and operators must follow. Air permitting requirements are largely dictated by environmental laws (rather than workplace safety laws). Federal, state and local agencies may each… Read More

There are a few primary instances when manufacturers should test their air quality: upon setting up a new operation or piece of equipment, to identify the source of any potential exposures to hazardous material, and to confirm that operations all meet regulatory requirements. Both the substances of concern and the circumstances will determine the appropriate… Read More

Employers can manage their hazardous emissions with careful planning and thoughtful engineering. With the proper controls in place, emissions of chemical vapor, dust or fine particles can be controlled to ensure workers’ safety. Engineering controls either minimize the generation of the contaminant or reduce the amount of contaminant in the air through various methods. It… Read More

The New York State Department of Conservation (NYSDEC) and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), whose leaders oversee the State’s Climate Action Council, recently appointed members to the newly created “Just Transition” Working Group as well as six (6) Advisory Panels that will work alongside the Council to implement changes intended… Read More

Once a company recognizes that it produces potentially hazardous emissions, it should create an action plan to mitigate any risks and negative impacts. Fortunately, OSHA lays out a clear framework of controls to manage workplace hazards, enabling companies to create a pathway toward a safe work environment. 1. Eliminate the Source The preferred, and by… Read More

In the course of manufacturing or fabricating goods, a company is likely to produce more than the product itself; it is also likely to create emissions of some sort. These emissions can have a serious impact on the environment and the air workers breathe. Left unchecked, workers may suffer ailments ranging from headaches, fatigue or… Read More

Workplace air quality is critically important, as clean air keeps communities healthy and employees productive. However, it can be quite challenging to identify potential contaminants in the air, and determining how best to comply with the myriad of federal, state and local air regulations can be mind-boggling for companies dealing with emissions. Once companies begin… Read More

The Department is proposing to make amendments to 6 NYCRR Parts 200, 201, 212, and 621 in order to improve its clarity and consistency, along with making the air permitting process easier to implement across the State. The public comment period for these respective revisions end on June 29, 2020. Part 200 The proposed amendment… Read More