NACD News - Table of Contents
Legislative and Regulatory Updates Responsible Distribution Networking and Education Chemical Educational Foundation
Legislative Action Request – Make Your Views Known Before Congress Returns to Washington Next week Congress will return to Washington to resume consideration of several landmark issues including health care reform, climate change, the so-called “Employee Free Choice Act” (card check), and chemical security legislation. These proposals would have a significant impact on the chemical distribution industry and the entire U.S economy. Now is the time to reach out to your Senators and Representatives to let them know how these proposals would impact your business and operations. To assist members with these contacts, NACD sent out a Legislative Action Alert on August 21. This Action Alert along with descriptions and sample letters for the health care, card check, climate change, and chemical security issues are posted at www.nacd.com/advocacy/alert.aspx. The best way to send letters to your Senators and Representatives is through the automated Write to Congress feature on the NACD Web site. To access Write to Congress, go to www.nacd.com and enter your facility’s zip code. Once you are on the site, click on the Issues & Legislation tab. Sample letters are available on the system for each issue, so all you need to do is edit these with your company information; however, the more you can personalize your letters, the more effective they will be. For more information, please contact NACD Vice President of Government Affairs, Jennifer Gibson, at jgibson@nacd.com or 703/527-6223, ext. 3047. Back to Top Regulatory Resources – Register Today for September 15 OSHA Webinar Registration is now available for the FREE September 15 Webinar, “Minimizing OSHA Criminal and Civil Liability Risks in the Obama Regulatory Environment,” that NACD is cosponsoring with Patton Boggs LLP and other trade associations. This Webinar will focus on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the Obama Administration and how its actions will impact insurance coverage, lawsuits, workers' compensation and criminal prosecutions. Patton Boggs Partners Mark Savit and Henry Chajet will provide ideas and procedures to reduce and eliminate the increased civil and criminal legal risks posed by the new OSHA. The Webinar will take place at 12 noon Eastern time. Space for this timely Webinar is limited. To register, go to https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/844834347. After registering, you will receive an e-mail confirmation with instructions on how to join the event. If you would like more information, please contact Jennifer Gibson at jgibson@nacd.com or 703/527-6223, ext. 3047. Back to Top Regulatory and Safety Resources – OSHA and CSB Release Materials on Combustible Dust The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has released a new guidance document, Hazard Communication Guidance for Combustible Dusts, to assist chemical manufacturers and importers in recognizing the potential for dust explosions, identifying appropriate protective measures, and understanding the requirements for disseminating this information on material safety data sheets and labels. To access this guidance, go to www.osha.gov/Publications/3371combustible-dust.html.
In a related development, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) recently released a safety video entitled “Combustible Dust: An Insidious Hazard,” that depicts how accumulations of combustible dust at worksites can provide the fuel for severe explosions that can cause death and serious injury to workers, shut down facilities, and harm local economies. The video uses new computer animations to illustrate three major dust explosions that the CSB has investigated. The video is available at www.csb.gov.
Back to Top Regulatory Update – CSB Issues Statement on Bayer CropScience Incident Developments Last week, U.S. Chemical Safety & Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) Chairman John Bresland provided a media update on the agency’s investigation of the Bayer CropScience 2008 Institute, West Virginia explosion. The statement focused on the investigation’s examination of options to reduce or eliminate the use and storage of highly toxic methyl isocyanate (MIC), as requested by the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
Bresland also announced that Bayer officials were working on a plan to reduce the average inventory of MIC by 80 percent at a cost of $25 million and no jobs lost. Bresland said that the CSB expects the final investigation report to be completed in the first half of 2010. These developments are particularly important as the House Energy and Commerce Committee prepares to consider chemical security legislation with inherently safer technology (IST) requirements. To view the CSB statement, visit www.csb.gov/newsroom. Back to Top Regulatory Resources – DHS Announces Webinars on Emergency Preparedness The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced a series of upcoming Webinars on Critical Infrastructure and Key Resources (CIKR) to provide information on the tools, trends, issues, and best practices for key infrastructure protection and resilience. The next Webinar will take place on Monday, September 14 from 1-2pm EDT. Mr. James Caverly, Director, Partnership and Outreach Division, Office of Infrastructure Protection (OIP), DHS, will present “CIKR Private Sector Preparedness: What You Need to Know for the Fall Flu Season. This Webinar will be particularly timely as cases of Swine Flu are expected to significantly increase with the beginning of school.
The next Webinar, “CIKR Private Sector Preparedness: What You Need to Know About the New Voluntary Preparedness Standards” will take place on Monday, September 28 from 12-1pm EDT and will also be presented by Mr. Caverly.
Also, mark your calendar for Wednesday, November 4 from 2-3pm EDT when Mr. Mike Norman, Director, Protective Security Coordination Division Field Operations Branch, OIP, will present, “The Infrastructure Protection Security Survey – What’s in it for You?” To learn more and to access the registration links, go to www.dhs.gov/files/programs/gc_1231165582452.shtm. Back to Top Regulatory Resources – DHS National Dialogue on the Quadrennial Homeland Security Review Now Underway This week, business leaders have the opportunity to participate in the National Dialogue on the Quadrennial Homeland Security Review to provide input directly to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on what priorities should guide the Department for the next four years and how best to go about addressing these areas. The Dialogue is a web-based discussion forum, powered by participants, and is now live 24/7 through Sunday, September 6.
On this Web site, you will find content that DHS is considering for a major strategic review, covering all areas of homeland security policy. Issue areas include Counterterrorism and Domestic Security Management; Securing Our Borders; Smart and Tough Enforcement of Immigration Laws; Preparing for, Responding to, and Recovering from Disasters; Homeland Security National Risk Assessment; and Homeland Security Planning and Capabilities.
Participants can provide immediate feedback on your top ideas and priorities for homeland security in order to assist DHS in developing policy and to ensure that your views are considered. To access the Dialogue, go to www.homelandsecuritydialogue.org. Back to Top RDP Best Practices Workshop, September 14-15, 2009 in Cleveland There is still time to register for the RDP Workshop that focuses on Best Practices! Listen to your peers, the industry experts, as they give you best practices and lessons learned from being on the front line! Security Best Practices, Crisis Communications Best Practices, Public Warehouses Best Practices are just a few topics that are being planned for the popular workshop. Attend the workshop and be prepared to gain proven methods to assist your company’s operations. To register, simply go to http://www.nacd.com/dist_process/workshops.aspx. Back to Top RDP Mentoring Program Did you miss last week’s RDP Mentoring Program Conference Call?
If so, contact Mike Lang, RDP Director, at mlang@nacd.com if you have questions about the RDP Code of Management Practice, need advice on how to satisfy specific Code requirements, need information or examples of processes or procedures, and more. NACD covers the RDP Mentoring Program’s expenses associated with phone and electronic communications and, when deemed necessary, an on-site member facility visit, with NACD paying for the RDP Mentoring Program’s labor costs, up to 8 hours on site.
Back to Top Review RDP Workshop and Webinar Presentations on the Web site! Did you know that you can review presentations from recent workshops and webinars on the NACD web site? Simply click on http://www.nacd.com/dist_process/documents.aspx and scroll down to the “Presentations” and “Webinars” sections. Back to Top Central Region Event in Conjunction with OPSEM On Wednesday, September 16, from 5:30 – 7:00 pm, the Central region is hosting a special reception for companies whose operations are located in the Central Region.
Of course, it is our hope that you will consider attending the entire OPSEM Conference, but we know that for senior management it can be difficult to be out of the office for so long. With this in mind, the Central Region has arranged for owners/operators to join us for the Wednesday afternoon Opening Session, tour the expo hall, and then enjoy some cocktails and conversation with other members of the Region at its networking reception.
There is no charge to participate in these functions. To sign up for the reception and afternoon – please email Sophia Bezas at sbezas@nacd.com with your name and contact information. She will send you a confirmation.
If you are interested in staying for the entire OPSEM Conference, click here to register on-line. In doing so, you will automatically be signed up for the special reception.
Back to Top NACD Western Region Hosts Lunch on September 10, 2009 at the Los Angeles Airport Westin Hotel, located near LAX. The NACD Western Region is hosting a lunch on September 10, 2009, from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm at the Los Angeles Airport Westin Hotel, located at 5400 West Century Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA. If you have operations in or near the Los Angeles area and/or are willing to come in for the day, we hope you will consider joining us.
NACD will provide the food; you can help us provide the conversation. The lunch will begin with a banking presentation by Robert F. Schack, Chairman of American Business Bank covering:
1. The challenges and difficulties facing a borrower today.
2. The qualities a bank is looking for in a customer.
3. Trends that American Business Bank is witnessing in the local Los Angeles, Southern California Market place.
Please confirm your attendance by sending an e-mail to sbezas@nacd.com. There is no charge for the luncheon. If you are not able to attend, feel free to pass the invitation on to an appropriate contact in your organization. You are also encouraged to bring a guest who is not a NACD distributor member, but you think could benefit from joining NACD. However, we request that you RSVP for all attendees.
Back to Top Gain Insights at NACD’s Northeast Region Meeting, Sign-up Today! On-line Registration Now Available. Make plans to attend the Northeast Region Meeting, October 1-2, 2009 at the Providence Biltmore Hotel in Providence, Rhode Island. Start your planning for NACD’s Northeast Region meeting TODAY!
Topics such as enhanced inventory management, crisis communications session and the economic outlook will help you look at our operations and ensure your company is well prepared for the months ahead.
Click here to register for this jam-packed, two day event. To view the preliminary Program Agenda, click here.
After you’ve registered for the meeting, don’t forget to book your hotel room. Click here to make your hotel reservations at the Providence Biltmore Hotel. Use reference code NACD to receive the special, NACD rate of $140 per night. The reservation deadline has been extended to September 16.
For further information regarding the 2009 NACD Northeast Region meeting or the agenda, activities, meeting and hotel registration, please call NACD at 703/527-6223 or visit the Northeast Region Web site.
See you in Rhode Island!
Back to Top Stand Out in the Crowd – Participate in NACD’s Annual Meeting! NACD’s Annual Meeting is an opportunity to stay informed about challenges and opportunities in our industry; a place where you can reconnect with old, and make valuable, new connections; a marketplace where you can walk the expo hall and shop for new tools and resources for your business; and it is THE place where you can share best practices with business leaders in the chemical distribution.
This is why we’ve worked harder than ever to make sure that this year’s meeting can help you be more effective. We have created an agenda that will inform, motivate, and inspire you. Attend the educational sessions and learn about critical chemical issues. You will hear topics such as sustainability as a strategy for success, how the political landscape can and will affect your business and what we need to do in order to prosper.
Click HERE for the full meeting agenda.
Click HERE to register.
Click HERE for hotel information.
To learn how you can showcase your products and services to the attendees, download the Vendor Expo and Sponsor Prospectus.
With strong momentum behind our past meetings, we eagerly anticipate another great educational and networking event this year. Get involved, contribute, and expand your understanding of some of the most critical issues facing our industry today.
Back to Top OPSEM TRIP TIPS- FOR A SUCCESSFUL OPSEM2009 TRADE SHOW Joining us for this year’s OPSEM? Then make sure you know where to be and when - click this link to view our “trip tips”. The link will take you to a page that includes dress code, registration location to pick up your badge, the attendee list and more.
Back to Top NACD Southern Region Lunch October 6, 2009 at the Marriott Atlanta Airport Hotel Please join us for lunch and conversation on October 6, 2009 from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm. at the Marriott Atlanta Airport Hotel in Atlanta, GA. The lunch will begin with a presentation on “How Does NACD Relate to My Job?” to provide you with more information about how your membership with NACD can help your business and the various roles within an organization. We will also hold an open discussion on other business issues that are on your mind and gain insights from the group.
Confirm your attendance by sending an e-mail to sbezas@nacd.com. There is no charge for the luncheon. If you are not able to attend, feel free to pass the invitation on to an appropriate contact in your organization. You are also encouraged to bring a guest who is not a NACD distributor member, but you think could benefit from joining NACD. However, we request that you RSVP for all attendees.
Back to Top CEF Welcomes New Staff Member CEF would like to introduce Suzette Bucher as the newest member of our team. Suzette joins CEF as Program & Outreach Assistant and her responsibilities will include the support of CEF program, marketing, and communications efforts. Suzette is a recent graduate of James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA.
Suzette’s first day is September 1, after which you may reach her by e-mail at sbucher@chemed.org or by phone at 571/482-3056.
Back to Top CEF Activity Guides: Back-to-School Sale CEF’s You Be The Chemist Activity Guides: Lesson Plans for Making Chemistry Fun are a great tool to help you enhance science education in your community. These easy-to-use guides engage educators and students through exciting experiments, activities, fun facts, historical discoveries and much, much more. As the start of the school year rolls around, CEF has reduced the cost of the Activity Guides! For purchases of 20 or more the prices are:
K-4: $8
5-8: $10
Set: $15
Purchase 100 sets or more and receive each for $12. For more information, contact the CEF staff at 703/527-6223 or at comments@chemed.org .
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