IN THIS EDITION OF PARTHENON COMPLIANCE E-NEWS: Parthenon Compliance Update Katie Swenson Joins Parthenon Compliance Combustible Dust Seminar Risk Management Program (RMP) Mandatory Direct Observation Requirement for DOT Return-to-Duty & Follow-up Tests Delayed Parthenon Compliance Update Many of you are aware that Parthenon Compliance has been heavily involved in software development to assist you in managing your compliance and safety programs. I am happy to say that we've been making great progress and everything is going according to schedule. We will be ready to launch Driver Qualification files, Written Safety Programs, Housekeeping, and OSHA 300 by the end of the year. After the first of the year, Katie Swenson and I will be conducting software training for your Location Managers and other relevant personnel at your location. Currently we are using the software to manage your DQ files. The next step is loading documents into the Written Safety Program portion of the software. Housekeeping is currently being tested and will be ready to use soon. Thank you all for your patience during the development stages of the Parthenon Compliance program. I appreciate all of your feedback and assistance! Katie Swenson Joins Parthenon Compliance Katie joined the Parthenon Compliance team in September 2008. She is responsible for data entry, document organization, and support related to the Parthenon Compliance Software. Katie grew up on a farm near Willmar, MN. She attended Ridgewater College and Southwest Minnesota State University at Marshall. Her most recent work experience was at Hansen Advertising in Willmar as a Promotional Products Consultant. While there, she assisted a variety of companies & organizations with promotional products to enhance their business. Prior to that she was employed at Farm Credit Services of Minnesota Valley for eight years as Public Relations/Advertising Assistant. Her primary responsibilities were assisting in the promotion of agricultural loans & leases, crop & life insurance products, and online banking to agricultural customers. Katie is involved with the United Way of Kandiyohi County Empower Group and also serves on the Program Committee at the YMCA of Kandiyohi County. Katie and her husband, Loren, live near Willmar, MN, with their two daughters, Faith and Ella. Combustible Dust Seminar Katie and I attended a Combustible Dust Seminar put on by OSHA in St. Cloud. MNOSHA released its Strategic Plan Emphasis showing the industries they are going to focus on in the next five years. Both grain facilities and facilities with combustible dust are on the list! MNOSHA stressed the importance of Housekeeping several times. They also mentioned that a Hot Work Program is important to control ignition sources in areas where combustible dust is present. In order to abate combustible dust hazards it is important to implement a strict cleaning program, remove possible ignition sources, and train your employees on the importance of following through with the program and the dangers of combustible dust. Risk Management Program (RMP) For many of you, EPA Risk Management Programs are due in June 2009. The EPA has a new electronic submittal system that will be available in January in which you will be able to submit your RMPs directly on the web. They will be sending you log-in information closer to the end of the year. The good news is that all of the data from your previous RMPs will be pre-populated into their forms, so if you haven't had any changes at your facility, it should be relatively simple. At least that's what they tell me! There is a lot of good information on the EPA's website under Risk Management Plan (RMP) Rule. Mandatory Direct Observation Requirement for DOT Return-to-Duty and Follow-up Tests Delayed The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit has again [November 12, 2008] delayed the mandatory Direct Observation requirement for DOT return-to-duty and follow-up tests. This is a "stay" that will remain in effect until the court issues a decision on the merits of the petitioners' challenge to the provisions of 40.67(b). Therefore, Direct Observation for return-to-duty and follow-up testing will continue to be an employer option, rather than mandatory. Please contact Katie or me if you have any questions on the information presented in this newsletter or if anyone you know should be added to this distribution list. Sincerely, Jenny Hedrick Compliance Specialist - Parthenon Risk Partners (320) 894-9765 (Cell) (320) 995-1204 (Office) (320) 995-6787 (Fax) jhedrick@parthenonriskpartners.com Parthenon Risk Partners www.parthenonriskpartners.com