America Recycles Day (ARD), a Keep America Beautiful initiative, commemorates recycling in the United States. Last year, dedicated volunteers and affiliates recycled over 16.5 million pounds of materials, highlighting the power of collective action.

On November 15, 2023, let’s educate, motivate, and amplify recycling efforts. ARD emphasizes individual actions, showcasing how our choices impact our nation’s recycling landscape. Keep America Beautiful urges everyone to reduce, reuse, and recycle at home, work, school, and beyond.

Recycling isn’t just for one day; it’s a daily commitment. Make mindful purchases, opt for eco-friendly products, and prioritize longevity. Each small choice contributes to a cleaner, greener world. Join the movement this America Recycles Day. Together, let’s take active steps toward a more sustainable future. Get involved, spread awareness, and embrace recycling with PJR, and feel free to contact us by phone at (248) 358-3388 or email pjr@pjr.com.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics disclosed a concerning 7.5% spike in nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses, totaling 2.8 million cases in a recent report. The increase is attributed to a 4.5% rise in injuries, reaching 2.3 million cases, and a significant 26.1% surge in illnesses, totaling 460,700 cases. Notably, respiratory illnesses played a pivotal role, surging by 35.4% to 365,000 cases in the reported period. The transportation and material moving sector witnessed the highest incidence of injuries.

Despite these figures, experts argue that the true extent of the problem is likely underestimated. Employers tend to underreport injuries and illnesses, creating subtle disincentives for workers to disclose health issues. The National Council for Occupational Safety and Health (National COSH) emphasizes the need for systemic changes in addressing workplace safety.

Peter Dooley, a technical support specialist at National COSH, stresses that companies possess the tools and technology to enhance workplace safety. However, a critical challenge lies in building worker power to implement these measures universally. The organization advocates for prioritizing hazard elimination through system-wide engineering and operational changes over reliance on personal protective equipment (PPE), which may offer a false sense of security.

To address these issues comprehensively, National COSH recommends steps such as gathering input directly from workers through surveys and mapping, documenting and tracking health and safety problems, investigating and addressing all issues, providing education programs in a language workers understand, and fostering a feedback loop with workers to showcase improvements.

For more information on empowering workers to create healthier work environments, feel free to contact us by phone at (248) 358-3388 or email pjr@pjr.com.

Join the Chartered Quality Institute (CQI) in commemorating World Quality Week from November 6-10, 2023. This global campaign sheds light on the importance of the quality management profession, focusing on the theme of realizing your competitive potential.

While compliance and risk management remain crucial, Perry Johnson Registrars emphasizes that enhancing quality capability extends beyond meeting standards and audits. Quality professionals serve as expert business partners, facilitating the development of quality capability throughout value chains.

To maximize your partnership with a quality professional, consider the following tips:

1. Prevention is Key: Involve a quality professional from the outset to design value chains, products, and services, mitigating risks before they manifest and avoiding reputational damage and financial waste.
2. Skills, Tools, and Mindset: Quality professionals can assist with process assessments, but it’s the responsibility of leaders and operators to deliver excellence. Seek the help of a quality practitioner to develop your team’s skills and knowledge.
3. Think ‘Systems’: Embrace a ‘systems thinking’ view with the help of a quality professional. Foster cross-functional collaboration to enhance workflow efficiency.
4. Don’t Be Shy: Reach out to your quality professional for advice and support. They are your allies in making work better and creating valuable outcomes for customers and stakeholders.

As we gear up for World Quality Week, we invite individuals, teams, and companies to join this global movement, raising awareness and promoting best practices in quality. Together, let’s make a difference and unlock the full potential of quality in our endeavors. For any other questions, feel free to contact us by phone at (248) 358-3388 or email pjr@pjr.com.

The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) is a critical piece of legislation that empowers the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with the authority to regulate chemical substances and mixtures in the United States. It was initially enacted in 1976 but saw significant updates in 2016 with the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act.

2016 TSCA Update
President Obama signed the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety Act in 2016, ushering in significant changes to the TSCA, modernizing its approach to chemical regulation.

TSCA
TSCA primarily deals with reporting, record-keeping, testing, and restrictions related to chemical substances and mixtures. Notably, it excludes certain substances such as food, drugs, cosmetics, and pesticides.

Authority Sections
Various sections of TSCA grant authority to require pre-manufacture notifications, testing of chemicals, issuance of Significant New Use Rules (SNURs), maintenance of the TSCA Inventory, and certification reporting for imports and exports.

Compliance and Enforcement
TSCA compliance is monitored through inspections and investigations to ensure that chemical manufacturers and importers adhere to the regulations.

Recyclers that import should take note of compliance when certifying the TSCA status of imports in writing. Complete the TSCA Import Certification Form and provide it to customs or the shipper at the airport.

For a detailed understanding of TSCA, including the official text of the 2016 amendments, please refer to the United States Code(link). This act’s purpose is to protect both human health and the environment by regulating the production, importation, use, and disposal of various chemicals. It’s a pivotal piece of legislation that ensures the responsible management of chemicals in the United States, safeguarding our health and surroundings. For any other questions, feel free to contact us by phone at (248) 358-3388 or email pjr@pjr.com.

Manufacturing, a traditionally male-dominated industry, is at a pivotal moment, and the inclusion of women in this sector is crucial for its future success. While significant strides have been made, there’s still work to be done to bridge the gender gap in manufacturing.

Flexible work arrangements and well-defined career paths are instrumental in attracting and retaining female talent. A study by McKinsey found that 49% of women leaders consider flexibility among the top three factors for job mobility. As women increasingly pursue higher education and advanced degrees, they represent an untapped talent pool for the manufacturing workforce. Leveraging their expertise can lead to enhanced efficiency and profitability, aligning with the industry’s evolving technological landscape.

Workplace flexibility, especially in terms of remote work and childcare support, is crucial for female employees. In addition to flexibility, addressing the gender wage gap and providing clear paths for career advancement are essential. By offering competitive compensation and career progression frameworks, manufacturers can attract and retain more women in their teams.

Moreover, promoting women to leadership roles aligns with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria, which are increasingly used to evaluate companies. Gender diversity in board leadership positively impacts a company’s ESG performance, and this aspect cannot be underestimated.

The need for women in manufacturing is evident, and it represents a significant opportunity for the industry to fill its talent gaps. Creating an environment that prioritizes flexibility, career advancement, and unique development opportunities will not only attract women to manufacturing but also retain their valuable talent. Join us in embracing the future of manufacturing through quality management systems certification, and for any other questions, feel free to contact us by phone at (248) 358-3388 or email pjr@pjr.com.