Sign Up Now for Healthcare, Tech/Plant Events!

TRSA is pleased to announce that attendees of the Tech/Plant and/or Healthcare conferences now may register for one or both programs via TRSA’s Web site at www.trsa.org/healthcaretechplant.

“We are dedicated to using technology to simplify the process of signing up for TRSA events,” said TRSA President Joe Ricci. “We recently launched an in-house online registration system for the Executive Management Institute. Now we are doing the same with the outstanding double program we’re putting together for the Healthcare and Tech/Plant conferences set for Sept. 27-30 in Las Vegas. I’d urge everyone to take advantage of this fast and secure way to sign up for one or both of these events.”

TRSA is taking a new tack with these conferences by scheduling them back to back at the same location, Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. “Our goal was to save members and suppliers time and money by bringing everyone together in one streamlined venue,” said TRSA Director of Industry Affairs Bill Mann. “The feedback we received from members was that their time and budgets were stretched. We responded accordingly. What’s more, we’ve put together a program for both conferences that will rival, if not surpass the separate events we’ve scheduled before.”

Specifically, attendees at these conferences will hear more than 20 presentations from key industry leaders addressing vital healthcare and tech/plant issues such as:

The program will begin with on-site registration for the Healthcare Conference on the morning of Sept. 28. A keynote address will follow at 8:15 a.m. Two general sessions and accompanying breakout sessions will continue through 4:15 p.m. A reception and tabletop display for vendors will run from 4:30-6 p.m. The Healthcare Conference resumes on Sept. 29 with two additional breakout sessions, plus a third general session before the program wraps up at 12:30 p.m.

The Tech/Plant Conference also will begin on the 29th with on-site registration that morning and a choice of plant tours either to Mission Industries or Brady Linen. Following lunch, Tech/Plant attendees will assemble for two general sessions, followed by a reception and tabletop exhibit by vendors. The action resumes on the morning of Sept. 30 with a general session and three breakout sessions focusing on a range of issues. The program will adjourn by 5 p.m.

Watch for upcoming announcements in this space and in Textile Rental magazine for additional details, including info on speakers and topics. A color brochure on both events is in the works and will be mailed shortly. In the meantime, anyone with questions should contact Mann at 877/770-9274 or bmann@trsa.org.

Spill Response: Save Wildlife with ‘Towel Aid’

In the wake of the recent Gulf Coast oil spill, TRSA is calling on all textile service members to donate ragged-out textiles for use in the cleanup effort of oil-soaked animals there. Animal aid agencies that are working in the areas of the Gulf affected the spill badly need towels - old or new - to clean up animals affected by oil in the water. The spill, 40 miles off the Louisiana coast, began following an April 20 explosion on a drilling rig that killed 11 employees. The rig, owned by Transocean Ltd., and leased by British Petroleum Plc, sank two days later. Shortly after that, an estimated 12,000-19,000 barrels of oil a day began spewing out from the well about 5,000 feet underwater. As it’s continued, the damage to the coastal environment and wildlife has increased. As many of you have seen in the news media, the lives of thousands of marine birds and sea creatures are at risk.

In response, David Gross, CEO of Gulf Coast Laundry Services Inc., Gulfport, MS, responded to a request from wildlife agencies to coordinate a volunteer effort dubbed “Towel Aid” to help area birds and animals affected by the spill.

“The effort is beginning to take shape with cleaning up injured animals along the coast,” said Gross, a veteran of the emergency/rebuilding efforts that followed Hurricane Katrina in 2005. “The images on the TV and on the Internet are pretty close to accurate. Birds, dolphins, turtles and a variety of other animals are becoming distressed and are being killed as a result of this oil spill. We are beginning to get inquiries from organizations that are doing intake on animals to clean them up.”

Gross is asking members to donate both ragged-out towels and the freight costs necessary to get them to the coast. Once they arrive, he’ll see that they get to agencies such as the Marine Mammal Institute. “The need is urgent,” he said. “I’ve probably got a few days to mobilize. But a lot can happen in a day or two. We’ve already got enough information to know the demand is going to be there.”

The situation is deteriorating, he said. “Frankly, I’m reasonably sure that it’s quickly going to go beyond my resources, and then I’ll need your help. What else can I tell you?”

Gross has begun outreach efforts to other agencies, including the Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana departments of Marine Resources. He plans on contacting the National Audubon Society too.

For the industry, Gross sees the towel donations as an opportunity to do something positive, rather than simply grousing about the spill. “We’re just trying to do some good work,” Gross said. “And frankly instead of complaining about how incompetent the government is, what we’re trying to do is focus on doing something positive and hope that our friends in the industry will look at it the same way.”

OSHA Recordkeeping and Injury Tracking Reform

The Occupational and Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently held its first stakeholder meeting on modernizing its injury and illness data collection. TRSA attended the meeting shortly before Memorial Day to get the latest information from OSHA and determine how this issue could impact the textile services industry.

Dr. David Michaels, Assistant Secretary of Labor and OSHA Administrator, says he wants all U.S. employers to record injuries and illness electronically within the next three years. The hope, from his perspective, is to get numbers faster, so OSHA can engage in timely targeted enforcement.

Michaels cited a study conducted by the Michigan Department of Community Health and Michigan State University that showed that the Bureau of Labor Statistics had significantly undercounted a number of traumatic injuries. His response: “I’m eager to change the way we keep track of injuries and illness in the workplace. OSHA requirements are very 20th century-based.”

Under the new OSHA, when it ferrets out a problem - be it real or perceived - they feel compelled to take action. OSHA now is examining new metrics other than injury and illness rates to measure improvements in workplace safety. In particular, they are hoping to focus on the abatement of hazards following enforcement action.

Michaels indicated that he hopes to issue an injury and illness prevention standard during the Obama administration’s first term.

OSHA plans on promulgating a rule that will require employers to identify workplace hazards and implement far more extensive programs than those available today to protect worker safety and health.

Michaels summarized his plans by saying, “Many of the leading employers have management systems, and we understand that’s how responsible employers protect their employees. We believe on a very simple level it should be a requirement for employers to find and fix their hazards.” While almost everyone would agree with the sentiment that Michaels expresses, we have strong reason to believe that when he attempts to make his vision a reality, there will be a whole lot more bureaucratic requirements that do little to protect workers, but do a lot to drive up compliance costs.

Obama Administration To Develop Fuel Economy Standards for Trucks

President Barack Obama recently ordered the government to develop first-time fuel efficiency and emissions standards for medium-sized and heavy-duty trucks. This comes a year after the administration reached an agreement with the auto industry on new fuel economy standards. For years, automobiles and light trucks have faced similar legislative and regulatory authority.

Medium- and heavy-duty trucks currently aren’t subject to fuel economy standards. They are subject to limits on emissions of pollutants, such as particulates and nitrogen oxides.

The new standard, which the EPA and the Department of Transportation would enforce, would apply to trucks built from 2014-’18. That, in turn, would affect the vast majority of commercial fleets across the country, including those of many TRSA members. According to the administration, these trucks currently use more than 2 million barrels of oil daily and average 6.1 miles per gallon.

"This is going to bring down the cost for transporting goods, serving business and consumers alike,” Obama said at a news conference announcing his new steps. “It will reduce pollution." He added that, “We estimate, for example, that we can increase fuel economy by as much as 25% in tractor trailers using technologies that already exist today.” Freight vehicles produce roughly one-fifth of transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions, he said.

Obama also told the agencies to develop new fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions standards for cars and light trucks for the model year 2017 and beyond. These standards would take effect after current rules for those vehicles expire in model year 2016. Obama also directed the EPA to reduce emissions of conventional pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides, from motor vehicles.

Administration officials have said details of the president's push were still being filled in.

"We're at the starting gate here," Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has said to the news media. "Stay tuned as our people really start to work on this."

Business organizations have begun to press LaHood specifically about the fuel standards for commercial trucks. He says that the agency has not gotten that far yet.

But EPA officials have begun speaking off the record and are telling friendly legislators and the media that the rules for commercial trucks will be issued in 2012 and implemented two years later. For cars, it appears that the administration will work with automobile manufacturers, the state of California and others to “come up with a game plan” by September for proceeding with new standards.

This issue has jumped onto the radar screens of business groups and coalitions in Washington. TRSA Government Affairs staff will monitor and help oppose any proposed regulations that are overly burdensome.

Final Rule Out on Hexavalent Chromium Exposure

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued a final rule, effective June 15, that requires all employers to notify their employees of all hexavalent chromium exposures. This rule replaces a previous regulation that required worker notification only when exposures exceeded acceptable thresholds. Workers exposed to this toxic chemical are at greater risk for lung cancer as well as nose, throat and respiratory damage.

Worker exposure to hexavalent chromium typically occurs when handling pigments, spray paints, and coatings containing chromates. Other workplaces where exposure may occur include facilities engaged in any of these activities: chrome plating baths, welding, automotive and aircraft painting, chrome plating, electroplating or operations cutting metals like stainless steel. Uniform or shop towel processors who service customers in any of these lines of business could be affected by this new rule.

Chromium is a naturally occurring metal. The hexavalent chromium versions are mostly man-made and are used extensively in the chemical industry. It is also used as a corrosion inhibitor.

OSHA estimates that over 500,000 workers are exposed to hexavalent chromium. OSHA recently published a booklet with the catchy title of Hexavalent Chromium, which is available at the OSHA Web site – www.osha.gov. This booklet details OSHA’s hexavalent chromium standards. Specifically, it outlines requirements for exposure monitoring, protective work clothing and equipment, medical surveillance and communications on hexavalent chromium and recordkeeping.

TRSA Unveils Revamped Government Affairs Section on Web Site

Are you feeling a bit like you’ve got a target on your back because you’re running a business in an era of regulatory and legislative proposals that could make your life more difficult with higher taxes, burdensome rules and other moves that could stifle economic growth?

If you’re concerned about these issues, it’s important that you stay informed on key developments concerning the industry before Congress and federal agencies. You can do that quickly and easily by visiting the newly revamped government affairs section of TRSA’s Web site.

There, you’ll find a user-friendly guide to issues such as NPEs, the shop towel rule, ergonomics and much more. You’ll also see summaries of complex proposals, such as the IRS de minimus rule, translated into a simple one-page format that doesn’t require a Ph.D. in economics to understand. You’ll also find a handy guide to recent “News From Washington” articles in Textile Rental magazine. These address issues such as grassroots activism and legislative/regulatory trends in depth.

TRSA is in the process of revamping its entire Web site to better serve members. Our reorganization of the government affairs section is a first step. Others will follow - stay tuned to Textile Rental Weekly and Textile Rental magazine for further developments.

TR Weekly Taps into ‘Social Networking’

Starting with today’s Textile Rental Weekly, and all of our e-mail campaigns, TRSA is stepping into the world of social networking. This new feature will allow our readers to share news stories and event information from the Weekly with your friends, colleagues and followers on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Specifically, you’ll see a “Share this” link at the top right of every Textile Rental Weekly, along with a set of icons representing each social network. You can share our newsletter simply by clicking on the icons of any of these three sites with which you’ve registered. Then follow the onscreen instructions.

“Technology in the area of social networking Web sites is moving forward rapidly,” said TRSA President Joe Ricci. “TRSA now has launched an effort to join this movement in a way that enhances our communications with members.”

The process of sharing content from the Weekly is quick and easy to use. Stayed tuned to Textile Rental Weekly and Textile Rental magazine for upcoming announcements of other advances into social networking by TRSA.

Tomlinson Leaving TRSA
Longtime HR head, to wed, relocate to Mississippi

After more than seven years and a wide range of duties, Charles Tomlinson completed his final day at TRSA on Friday.

“It’s been a great experience working with the members and TRSA staff,” said Tomlinson, who joined TRSA in May 2003 after a two-year stint in the office of former Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-MS). “I will be forever grateful for the personal and professional relationships I have made during my seven years here at TRSA.”

A native of Jackson, MS, Tomlinson will marry Courtney Lauren Leyes this Saturday in St. Louis. The couple is relocating to Olive Branch, MS, near Memphis, TN.

Since April 2005, Tomlinson has served TRSA as director of human resources. However, he began work as an assistant in the Department of Government Affairs. During the first two years of his tenure, he worked mainly on legislative and regulatory issues. Since then, Tomlinson also has managed day-to-day operations, meeting planning, human resource management and oversight of the SafeTRSA program. In addition, he has taught courses on safety, health and HR issues at the Production Management Institute (PMI) and the Managing Maintenance Institute (MMI).

“Chuck has contributed a great deal to TRSA and its membership,” said TRSA President Joe Ricci. “We appreciate his hard work and dedication and we wish him all the best in future endeavors. With his versatile skill set, I’m confident he’ll do very well wherever he goes.”