AWT Technical Reference & Training Manual, Chapter 5: Regulatory Compliance

AWT Technical Reference & Training Manual, Chapter 5: Regulatory Compliance

Developed by the AWT Technical Committee, in conjunction with several consultant members, to assist AWT members in training their employees in the latest water treatment methods. This comprehensive aid provides proper procedures in basic cooling and boiler treatment, as well as a brief introduction to waste water treatment and air washers. Included are specific chapters dealing with boiler water treatment chemical guidelines, basic boiler calculations, phosphate programs, steam and condensate line treatment, field determination of deposits, biocides, open and closed loop systems and much more. <br /><br />Regulations governing the handling and use of hazardous chemicals are an ever-growing concern in industry in general, and in the water treatment industry in particular. Since the early 1970’s the number of regulations affecting hazardous chemicals has increased dramatically and the emphasis on compliance and enforcement continues to rise as new regulations are added and as technology improves. These regulations are designed to protect the environment from chemical contact, workers from exposure to chemicals while performing their duties, and the general population from releases of hazardous chemicals in commercial transportation and from releases from neighboring industrial facilities. <br />Everyone in the chemical handling “chain” – that is, anyone involved in chemical manufacturing, packaging, selling, distribution, end-use, and disposal – is affected to some extent by these regulations. Non-compliance is serious business for those who are harmed by chemical exposure and for those who must pay the penalty (both financial and criminal) for that exposure. Ignorance of the regulations is no excuse and in today’s business climate when awareness of regulations is at an all time high a plea of ignorance is an indication to government agencies of business irresponsibility and negligence.<br />This chapter is intended to give the water treatment professional an orientation to regulations that particularly affect the water treatment industry. It is not all-inclusive, and regulations are changing all of the time. Nevertheless, the basic information in this chapter helps to lay a solid foundation toward compliance and safe handling of hazardous chemicals. References for more information are also provided. <br />