Message from the Chairman
 Depending on the day of the week, the general thinking about COVID seems to range anywhere from “cautiously optimistic” to “don’t let up”. Well, wherever we actually fall on the scale, we have to believe that all these measures, for all this time, have to be making a difference.
For RIPA, this all means at least a few more months of ZOOM meetings and highly restricted travel. But on the horizon, we can see an Annual Conference and a Suppliers Exposition in October in Chicago. And if it’s any indication, I see that some bands are planning live concerts for the fall! So, people are planning ahead.
Right now, the association is doing all it can to keep members informed with a series of ZOOM webinars and other communications, including Special Bulletins – all of which are posted on the web site. Recently, we conducted a Hazmat Employee Training Session that delivered required training to over 100 attendees. Certificates of training were sent to each participant. The certificates assure compliance for 3 years after which “refresher training” is due.
We also conducted a free-ranging “Town Hall” session where attendees were encouraged to ask RIPA staff and its officers any questions on any number of topics. The next two ZOOM sessions will explore the history of our association, how it works for its members, and how members can draw the maximum benefit from their participation in the group.
On other fronts, RIPA continues to push U.S. DOT and other agencies for common sense reforms to rules that have been outpaced by market changes and technical advances. At the UN, RIPA maintains its presence and standing as a leading resource on all matters related to reconditioning.
And then, there is this new RIPA E*News newsletter. We think it’s a more modern means of getting important information to you.
Hoping to see everyone again in Chicago in October. Stay optimistic.
And finally, on a sad note, we lost two of our own this month with the passing of Adam Altman, Drum Service of Richmond in New York, and Michael Roche Sr. of Roche Bros. Barrel & Drum in Lowell, MA. All of our community have the Roche family and Howie and Nita Altman in our hearts.
Mike Bank, Chair |
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RIPA Offers Virtual Courses on Association History, Key Regulatory Issues
RIPA is presenting a two-part course designed to educate members about the history and purposes of the association, and essential regulatory and legal issues that affect both reconditioners and manufacturers of industrial packagings. The course will be presented on consecutive weeks in April.
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RIPA Asks DOT To Authorize
Reconditioning of 10/8/10 Steel Drums
The Reusable Industrial Packaging Association (RIPA) has submitted a rulemaking request to DOT’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration to formally authorize the reconditioning of steel drums having minimum steel thicknesses associated with drums bearing nominal marks of 1.0/0.8/1.0. DOT has accepted RIPA’s petition by assigning it a “number” in their system. This means that the Agency has agreed to present the proposal to the public for review and comment.
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CLEAN Future Act Would Expand Container Reuse and Recycling
U.S. Representative Frank Pallone has introduced the CLEAN Future Act. It is the first major piece of climate legislation to be introduced since President Biden assumed office and was written by the Chairman of the committee with primary jurisdiction over climate policy in the House. If enacted, the bill could expand container reuse opportunities.
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OSHA Issues Guidance to Employers on COVID-19 Workplace Measures
Recently, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued new guidance to employers titled “Protecting Workers: Guidance on Mitigating and Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 in the Workplace.” The guidance is advisory; however, it addresses a broad range of common workplace safety practices as well as other employment policies and practices not always associated with workplace safety. RIPA encourages members to become familiar with the new OHSA guidance.
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Secretary Buttigieg Testifies on Infrastructure Legislation
Late last month, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure held a hearing to discuss the Biden Administration’s priorities for transportation infrastructure. In his opening remarks, Secretary Buttigieg said the Biden Administration wanted to “go big” on a national infrastructure program, indicating a goal to raise and spend over $2.5 trillion over the next ten years. The Secretary did not indicate exactly how this money would be raised.
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Biden Eyes Major Tax Hike to Fund Climate Change and Infrastructure Programs
President Biden wants to raise corporate and personal income taxes significantly to address what Democrats argue are inequities in the tax system and to pay for infrastructure projects.
Interestingly, DOT Secretary Buttigieg has walked back his initial support for increasing taxes on gasoline and diesel as one means of paying for the next infrastructure bill. This is contrary to recent statements by House Transportation Committee Chair Peter DeFazio, who is a supporter of either new gas taxes or a tax on vehicle miles traveled.
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