Training is Important

The mission of UF TREEO is to provide Excellence in Environmental Training, and that is what we have done and continue to do since 1977. This article from Environmental Health and Safety News, although written a few years ago offers advice that is never out of date.

"Failure to train is training to fail - was a popular saying a few years ago. Nobody disputes that teaching someone how to do their job is a good thing, but too little weight is given to the value of continuing training. Learning is development, and without development you get stagnation, and that isn’t a good thing for any business. In terms of health and safety, training is not only important, but essential for workers’ continuing competence and safety." (Published by Bay Publishing in Health and Safety Middle East 2009 09:00 GMT Sunday 10th May 2009) To learn more……  If you are interested in upcoming training for your professional development, please click here for a schedule of courses occurring in the next few weeks.

New – Refresher Registration Bundles

Register in one of our Refresher Registration Bundles Today!

Register for two or three refresher courses offered in one location and enter your contact/ payment information once. Available for: -Asbestos Refreshers -Hazardous Waste / Materials Refreshers -Solid Waste Refresher

We have several Bundles planned in the next few weeks, click here for details.

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U.S. DOT Hazardous Materials/Waste Transportation

March 6, 2013 Daytona Beach, FL $325

If you are involved in the preparation, documentation, packaging, labeling, shipping or transportation of hazardous materials then this training is MUST for you. This course can significantly improve your knowledge of hazardous materials regulations, helping you prevent penalties and shipping delays.

Did you Know? According to the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), human error is the probable cause of most transportation incidents involving the release of hazardous materials. Anyone involved in documenting, labeling, packaging and transporting hazardous materials must be trained to ensure the safety of the shipper, carrier, the general public and the environment. US DOT regulations make periodic training mandatory.

The Code of Federal Regulations, Title 49, Subpart H, requires training for persons involved in the handling and/or transporting hazardous materials in commerce. Some of these requirements mandate initial training for new hazardous materials employees within 90 days of employment and recurring training.

This course is approved by the Florida Solid Waste Management Training Committee for continuing education credit. FBPE PDHs 0006168: 7.5; Provider #0004021 Solid Waste Landfill/TS/MRF: 6.0

For More Information: Contact Carol Hinton: chinton@treeo.ufl.edu or 352/392-9570 x209

Register Today!

23rd Annual Cross-Connection Control Conference

The 23rd Annual Cross-Connection Control Conference is just weeks away, have you registered yet?

It is not too late to register and take advantage of these conference benefits:

• Receive 1.0 CEUs for WW/DW/DS
• Learn what is going on in the industry today
• Hear about important regulations and how to avoid costly fines
• Receive up-to-date information on backflow prevention assemblies

We would also like to congratulate James Clouser, Kevin Oatman and George Quimby; the winners of the early Cross-Connection Control Conference registration contest. These lucky winners will receive a free registration towards a Backflow Recertification Exam.

We look forward to seeing you March 6-7 in Daytona Beach.

LEED or Green Globes, Which Would You Choose?

UF TREEO in partnership with the Green Building Initiative offers training to designers and construction professionals on the rapidly emerging Green Globes sustainable building rating system, together with an optional examination that can earn the attendee the designation of Green Globes Professional (GGP).

This course trains and tests design and construction professionals for the purpose of acquiring the Green Globes Professional (GGP) credential. Green Globes is a sustainable building certification program that is approved by the US government and the state of Florida for certifying public sector buildings. Backed by excellent customer support, Green Globes offers a streamlined and affordable way to advance the overall environmental performance and sustainability of commercial buildings.

Even though there are similarities among Green Globes, LEED, and other sustainable building rating systems, the Green Globes system has distinct advantages, to learn more click here.

The Clean Water Act turned 40 in 2012

Are you familiar with the Clean Water Act (CWA)? A few months ago, in 2012 the CWA celebrated 40 years. EPA gives us this definition from section 33 U.S.C. §1251 et seq. (1972)

“The Clean Water Act (CWA) establishes the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into the waters of the United States and regulating quality standards for surface waters. The basis of the CWA was enacted in 1948 and was called the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, but the Act was significantly reorganized and expanded in 1972. "Clean Water Act" became the Act's common name with amendments in 1972.”

It is easy to take a readily available resource like water for granted. Imagine if you will what the status of all the water in the USA today would be like without the CWA in place. The water quality standards and the regulations in place with this act help to ensure our drinking water is safe. To learn more about this landmark Act visit: Environmental Protection Agency. You can also learn more about Water, Wastewater and Water Conservation at UF TREEO.

New HUD Guidelines

Newly revised HUD Guidelines for the Evaluation and Control of Lead-Based Paint Hazards in Housing (2012) are available to view on-line.

WASHINGTON - To help ensure families protect their children from lead poisoning, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced new Guidelines on how to identify and control lead-based paint and related hazards in housing, and to help property owners, government agencies, and private contractors sharply reduce childhood exposure to lead without unnecessarily increasing the cost of renovation. This second edition of the Guidelines replaces the 1995 edition.

These Guidelines can be used by those who are required to identify and control lead paint hazards, as well as property owners, landlords, and child-care center operators. They offer helpful advice on renovations in older housing, lead-based paint inspections and risk assessments, and where to go for help. The Guidelines also outline what users have to do to meet requirements and recommendations; identify training - and if applicable, certification - required for people who conduct the work; and describe how the work should be done.

Guidelines complement regulations that have been issued by HUD, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and policies from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Check with UF TREEO ff you need training for Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting.

Earn Your GGP Certification

You can earn the Green Globes Professional designation (GGP) through the Certificate program being offered at UF TREEO. The Green Globes building assessment and certification program is supported by independent Green Globes Professionals (GGPs). Until now, qualified individuals went through an online training program offered by the Green Building Initiative to enable them to serve as consultants facilitating the building certification process. Future GGPs have the option of taking a two day instructor-led course offered through UF TREEO, the University of Florida’s environmental and sustainability training center. Learn more about this course and the excellent faculty delivering it. This is a new opportunity for UF TREEO to provide more training options to Green Industry Professionals. The first offering of this course was October 2012 and the course is being scheduled quarterly, so if you don't want to miss the next offering be sure to sign-up to receive email updates.