Retail
Retail
Several agencies including OSHA, DOT, FAA and the EPA enforce regulations related to hazardous materials for the entire retail industry. 3E’s services are particularly appropriate for a retail environment.
Transportation
Because of national incidents involving hazardous materials and security, including the recent airline incidents and creation of homeland security, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have made it a priority to regulate the packaging, shipping and handling of hazardous materials. This increased scrutiny is particularly relevant for retailers, who often times don’t consider many of the products they transport to be hazardous. But consider the following household items that are regulated, if shipped in volume: nail polish, cleaning solvents, paint and aerosol bug spray. What must be considered before shipping them by air? Are there requirements for packaging hazardous and non-hazardous materials together? What markings, labels and documents need to accompany the shipment? What paperwork is required with the shipments? Who do you call if there’s a spill or release during transport?
MSDS Management
Not only are there issues related to the transportation of hazardous materials, but the management of MSDSs that accompany the products, which is required by OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200. Considering regional and national retailers, on average, have anywhere from 200 to 400 locations, maintaining and updating the MSDS for each product at every location can be an arduous task.
Regulatory Reporting
Regulations are constantly changing, and for retailers with multiple facilities managing federal, state and local reporting requirements can be a complex maze to maneuver. Retailers are required to submit hazmat disclosures for business and emergency plans, storage and handling of hazmat and permits and fees.
Training
Reducing injury counts and workers’ compensation costs is imperative to doing business today. Retailers are faced with the challenge of providing cost- effective hazmat training for their employees round-the-clock.
Retailers are also particularly vulnerable to the problems associated with hazardous materials because they have a brand to protect. With retail companies under significant pressure to maintain high quality service while cutting costs and reducing loss, it is becoming more and more difficult for their overburdened EH&S staff to focus on maintaining a safe working environment.
3E’s powerful suite of outsourced services can be tailored to assist any retail organization reduce costs, increase EH&S staff productivity, reduce shrinkage, decrease injury counts and workers compensation claims and manage loss prevention. 3E’s services have been proven to deliver costs savings for satisfied customers at thousands of sites, including many in the retail industry. 3E’s retail customers include The Home Depot, Office Depot, Michaels, Kmart, Target, Publix Supermarkets, Sports Authority and many more.
Waste Management
Whether it’s a torn bag of merchandise or a delivery truck leaking diesel fuel, spills will occur. Leverage 3E’s expertise and nation-wide network of spill, clean up and waste management contractors to manage and mitigate these rare situations. 3E negotiates the best possible contract with a single pre-qualified contractor. 3E oversees the entire process, ensuring that the waste is picked up, transported, disposed of appropriately at a TSDF and ensures proper reporting to appropriate federal or state agencies.
"Costco has always been the industry leader in all aspects of our business, and environmental, health and safety is no exception. Combining 3E's expertise with Costco's commitment to legal and safety compliance, we will continue to strive toward a hazard-free environment for all who do business with our company." Ed Maron, Executive Vice President of Special Projects, Costco Wholesale Corporation
Visit the EH&S Solutions page to learn more about 3E HazMat information and compliance management services.