1. Ecotraining in Iowa A novel approach to increasing chemical safety and environmental knowledge while building career options

2. Introduction Elyn Holton-Dean –Manager Haz-Chem Center in Burlington, Iowa –Responsible for: Facility Management, Landfill oversite, Curtailing as much help as possible on a limited budget –Big Dreamer with focus on positive community influence

3. Introduction Becky Wehrman-Andersen –Owner, Hazardous Waste Consulting, Inc. –Responsible for: DOT, RCRA and OSHA Training, Assessments and Compliance strategies for business, schools and agencies. –Big Dreamer with focus on positive community influence

4. Our Team Beliefs We believe: –Protection of the Environment –Safety of People –Everyone is responsible –Even when they mess up, humans have value

5. The Big Dream: Ecotraining Concept Overview We are building –Environmental training program –Support to overcome “employment challenges” –Continued outreach –Infrastructure of support and success

6. In a nutshell: Identify segment of ex-offender population Offer training and certification Provide paid internship opportunity Support with “soft skills” education Link educated, certified workers with employers in need

7. Timeline, History and Partners: The dream began in November 2010 Very challenging population to find employment options, but funding is available Key Partners: Department of Corrections (Pat), HazChem Center (Elyn), Recycling Center (Becky), Iowa Works (Jason), HMC (Becky 2) Planning meetings- March 2011, April 2011 Classes- May 2011, September 2011 Current - Reformulation, expansion, partnership

8. Planning Overview: Pretty simple concepts…right? Pool of people need jobs- Employers need educated employees The Iowa philosophy “If you build it, they will come” If it were only that easy… Building infrastructure is critical to success Screening and methodical evaluation is also required

9. Infrastructure: Partners Committed (maybe requiring commitment!) Addressing a variety of aspects: –Funding –Participant Sources –Internship Sources –Job Sources –Appropriate Training

10. Infrastructure: Funding Sources Significant focus on ex-offender re-entry State and Federal Complex network Complex requirements Just a touch “bureaucracy heavy”

11. Infrastructure: Participant Sources Halfway Houses Treatment Facilities CAUTION REQUIRED- screening Not a good fit for: illicit drug makers, sex offenders, arsonists In our case: Youthful Offenders

12. Infrastructure: Training What is HAZWOPER? Levels of training Including in EPA: Iowa’s “situation” More than just technical training Inexperience, in need of “soft skills”

13. Infrastructure: Internships Critical to refine skills Included HHW facility, Recycling facility and business Challenge identified: 8 hr workday Paid time is important Ongoing support and guidance is required

14. Infrastructure: Long Term Employment Helping participants see the potential Helping employers see the benefits Many employers don’t know what they don’t know Most important piece of the puzzle

15. Helping Employers Understand HAZWOPER: Training in “Hazardous waste operations and emergency management” OSHA specific topics addressed in the class that result in certification Required for jobs that use chemicals

16. OSHA and EPA What events led to OSHA? EPA? Triangle shirtwaist factory- 1911 Love canal- 1978 There had to be a better way, so HAZWOPER was started

17. OSHA and EPA Progress has been made in worker safety and environmental protection Challenges remain Employees with appropriate training are part of the solution

18. Consequences of Ignoring? Examples of recent EPA fines in Iowa: Indianola company: $59,775 Davenport company: $26,000 Fort Madison company: $148,338 Pocahontas company: $11,021 with $61,715 SEP Bettendorf company: $54,786 December 6, 2010 | Filed under: Press Releases | Posted by: Missouri News HorizonPress ReleasesMissouri News Horizon EPA Region 7 Compliance and Enforcement Actions in 2010 Result in Record $3 Billion in Pollution Control and Cleanup (Kansas City, Kan., Dec. 6, 2010) – “Environmental compliance and enforcement activities concluded by EPA Region 7 during fiscal year 2010 set a new record, securing more than $3 billion in investments in pollution control and cleanup as a result of legal actions taken against polluters. Region 7’s total of more than $3 billion in secured injunctive relief accounted for fully 31 percent of EPA’s national total for the fiscal year, which ended September 30. Region 7’s actions will result in respondents in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and on tribal lands eliminating more than 470 million pounds of pollutants, and implementing more than $3 million in Supplemental Environmental Projects.”

19. Chemicals in the Community Worldwide Problem Wastes - long term risk challenges Household/Businesses: - Appliances - Electronics - Fluorescent Bulbs - Tires - Medicines - Chemicals (PERC, photo chemicals) Risk: environmental contamination, heavy metal exposure

20. To help fix the challenges… -Environmental remediation companies: recycling, site cleanup, custodial -Hazardous waste disposal companies -Transportation companies: drivers, documentation and tracking, inventory management

21. To help fix the challenges… -Waste Management Companies: Waste haulers, county agencies, many others -Custodial/maintenance/operations positions: manufacturing facilities, hospitals, cities, counties, hotels, landscaping companies, MSDS management, inventory control, purchasing control

22. Review of Results 2 Classes 6 weeks of internship 9 Total Students (4 and 5) 8 completed internship Certifications: HAZWOPER operations EPA hazardous waste EPA universal waste 5 in full time positions 1 at HHW facility

23. Review of Results Many statistics not shared at this point Recidivism rate: Unknown Overall Costs –Training: 12 @ $450/person = $5,400 –6 week paid internship $7.50/hr = 40 hrs x 8 participants x 6 wks x $7.50/hr = $14,400 Total: $19,800 Investment of $2,200 per person

24. Where do we go from here? Overall evaluation of program Shoring up infrastructure: –More jobs, –Alternative selection process, –Alternative funding sources, –More active partners –Continued finesse of education Potential expansion statewide with change in target student population

25. Conclusions Strong potential Engaged employers The story of Quinton Thank you for your time Copyright Hazardous Materials Consulting, Inc. Prepared May 2012 by Becky Wehrman-Andersen Elyn Holton- Dean Des Moines Regional Solid Waste Commission eholtondean@mchsi.com Ph: 319-753-8758 Becky Wehrman-Andersen Hazardous Materials Consulting, Inc. Becky.wehrman@gmail.com www.hazardousmaterialsconsulting.net