DCHAS-L Discussion List Archive
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Subject: Re: NFPA standards
Date: Mon, 21 May 2007 09:51:59 -0500
Author: Diane Amell
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Subject: Re: NFPA standards
Date: Mon, 21 May 2007 11:21:24 -0400
Author: "Benedetti, Bob"
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Date: Mon, 21 May 2007 08:02:56 -0700
Reply-To: Gordon Miller <miller22**At_Symbol_Here**LLNL.GOV>
Sender: DCHAS-L Discussion List <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU>
From: Gordon Miller <miller22**At_Symbol_Here**LLNL.GOV>
Subject: Re: NFPA standards
In-Reply-To: <DAE1D18DA139B54CB83853D6B5F838650A13C226**At_Symbol_Here**EXCHANGEA.mgmt.ad.uconn.edu>
Unfortunately, safety can be summarized by paraphrasing Mao ze Dong.
He said "Justice grows from the barrel of a gun." Figuratively,
safety grows from the barrel of a gun. The gun is enforcement. Fire
Marshals can enforce NFPA45, etc. and they have significant
enforcement authority.
NFPA IS regulatory with more certain enforcement, via fire
inspections, than OSHA or EPA.
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>Recently our Fire Marshall began a series of Lab Inspections,
>concentrating primarily on quantities of chemicals. This required all
>the researchers to provide an inventory for the labs, which was not a
>problem, since one is required as part of the University's Chemical
>Hygiene Plan.
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>My question to the List is : OSHA's Lab standard is
>performance-based, and Law; EPA's RCRA regulations, while prescriptive,
>have become institutionalized because no one wants a Consent Order
>(speaking from experience). NFPA 45 is not Law, yet seems to trump
>OSHA & RCRA, because Building Codes make it appear regulatory.
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>Even if a researcher manages his/her chemical inventory properly
>(labeling, segregating), and their hazardous wastes properly (labeling,
>segregating), it appears that the NFPA holds them to higher standards.
>Researchers are questioning this. And even if they comply by removing
>some chemicals , they say they will just order more after the Fire
>Marshall inspection is completed.
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>Are any EH &S professionals finding this a problem?
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>________________________________
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>________________________________
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>Stefan Wawzyniecki, CIH, CHMM NRCC-CHO University of
>Connecticut Chemical Health & Safety
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>________________________________
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>
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