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The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that registration for its 2022 National Small Business Week Virtual Summit, “Building a Better America Through Entrepreneurship,” is now open. This year’s National Small Business Week (NSBW), held May 1-7, 2022, will acknowledge small businesses from across the country for their resilience, ingenuity, and creativity. It will also recognize SBA partners for their involvement in entrepreneurial development, disaster recovery, government contracting, financial development, and overall support for small businesses and entrepreneurship.
During National Small Business Week, the SBA will hold its NSBW Virtual Summit from May 2-5, 2022, in co-sponsorship with SCORE. Attendance is free of charge, but registration is required.
On March 30, 2022, EPA announced a solicitation for nominations to serve on its Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Federal Advisory Committee (FRRCC). Established in 2008, the FRRCC provides independent policy advice, information, and recommendations to EPA’s Administrator on a range of environmental issues and policies that are of importance to agriculture and rural communities.
To be considered for an appointment to the FRRCC, nominations should be submitted to FRRCC@epa.gov by May 16, 2022, with the subject line “FRRCC Membership 2022.” Nominations should include a résumé or curriculum vitae and a statement of interest. Letters of support and recommendation will be accepted but are not mandatory. Learn more about the FRRCC nomination process.
The publication RR-0128, Green Team Assistance for Contaminated Properties, is now posted and available online. The purpose of the guidance is to provide information about DNR’s Green Team meetings, which are an effective and efficient way for local governments to evaluate options, plan for and work through a brownfield project.
Additional documents and guidance from the Remediation and Redevelopment Program may be found using the search tools available on the publications and forms webpage.
Questions regarding this document may be submitted to Barry Ashenfelter at barry.ashenfelter@wisconsin.gov.
EPA Proposes to Ban Ongoing Uses of Asbestos, Taking Historic Step to Protect People from Cancer Risk
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a proposed rule to prohibit ongoing uses of the only known form of asbestos currently imported into the U.S. This proposed rule is the first-ever risk management rule issued under the new process for evaluating and addressing the safety of existing chemicals under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) that was enacted in 2016.
The proposed rule would ban chrysotile asbestos, the only known form of asbestos that’s currently imported into the U.S., which is found in products like asbestos diaphragms, sheet gaskets, brake blocks, aftermarket automotive brakes/linings, other vehicle friction products, and other gaskets also imported into the U.S.
EPA is also proposing targeted disposal and recordkeeping requirements in line with industry standards, Occupational Safety and Health Administration requirements, and the Asbestos National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP). The proposed disposal and recordkeeping requirements would take effect 180 days after the effective date of the final rule.
In December 2020, EPA issued a final risk evaluation that found unreasonable risks to human health from conditions of use associated with six categories of products. To address these unreasonable risks, the proposed rule would prohibit manufacture (including import), processing, distribution in commerce, and commercial use of chrysotile asbestos for six categories of chrysotile asbestos-containing products: asbestos diaphragms, sheet gaskets, oilfield brake blocks, aftermarket automotive brakes and linings, other vehicle friction products, and other gaskets. The proposed prohibition on the manufacture, processing, and distribution in commerce will also address consumer exposure to chrysotile asbestos.
EPA will accept public comments on the proposed rule for chrysotile asbestos through June 13, 2022 in the Federal Register via docket EPA-HQ-OPPT-2021-0057 at https://www.regulations.gov/docket/EPA-HQ-OPPT-2021-0057/document.
WISCON Weekly Webinars
WisCon provides presentations, seminars, and workshops on Occupational Health and Safety topics to the Wisconsin small business community. Every Monday at 1:00 p.m., a weekly webinar is scheduled. Program information, COVID assistance, and other training and promotional presentations will be included. Sign up for weekly reminder emails HERE.
Join the webinars on the UW Madison ZOOM website:
Upcoming Programs:
- April 25 – Heat Stress
- May 2 – COVID-19 Update
Recordings of previous webinars are available on-demand: http://www.slh.wisc.edu/occupational/wiscon/weekly-webinars/.
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