Great weather, picnics in the park, cookouts, and vacations. Yes, summertime is finally here and so is the summer heat. Many families will head to the nearest body of water whether that is a pool, lake, river, or ocean. If you find yourself, or your family, looking to head to the water to cool off this summer, please keep the following safety tips in mind. Continue Reading →

Part of SSOE’s Year-Long 75th Anniversary Celebration TOLEDO, Ohio, August 16, 2023 – SSOE Group (www.ssoe.com), an internationally ranked architecture and engineering firm, is excited to announce Mom’s House of Toledo as the recipient of its nationwide “Building the Future” Contest. The firm kicked off various activities internally and externally as part of a year-long 75th anniversary celebration. Continue Reading →

Set Up an Effective Greenhouse Gas Monitoring Plan In this month’s issue of Chemical Processing, SSOE Group’s Anna Koperczak, Senior Environmental Specialist, discusses the upcoming deadline mandated by the U.S. EPA. In this article Koperczak also breaks down the components of a successful monitoring plan necessary to fulfill this federal regulation. Click the link below to read Anna's article in Chemical Processing magazine. "Set Up An Effective Greenhouse Gas Monitoring Plan" Our Senior Environmental Specialist, Anna Koperczak, gives expert advice on how to set up a GHG monitoring plan. Anna has more than 20 years experience preparing environmental permits and helping clients comply with environmental regulations for their facilities and processes. She has utilized her extensive knowledge of reporting and permitting requirements for a variety of clients, including those in the automotive, energy, food, chemical, steel, and refining industries. View the Q&A below Federal Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Tailoring Rule Download the complete chart What is it? In May 2010, the EPA issued a final ruling to increase the major source thresholds for GHGs from 100/250 TPY to 25,000 TPY, effectively "tailoring" the PSD and Title V permit programs to target only "major" GHG sources and major modifications. GHG's include CO2, N2O, CH4, HFCs, PFCs, and SF6. Why does it exist? To phase in permitting requirements and reduce the number of applications submitted at one time. Who does it affect? All facilities applying for, renewing, or revising an air quality permit; or facilities that increase their GHG emissions by 75,000 TPY. What's required? Phase 1:Permits Issued Jan. 2, 2011 – June 30, 2011 PSD permit: new construction projects or modifications that increase GHG to more than 75,000 TPY are required to conduct a Best Available Control Technology (BACT) analysis. Title V permits: only when applying for a new, renewing, or revising a permit. Phase 2: Permits Issued July 1, 2011 – June 30, 2013 PSD permit: new construction projects that emit GHG emissions of at least 100,000 TPY, and modifications to existing facilities that increase GHG emissions by at least 75,000 TPY. Title V permit: facilities that emit at least 100,000 TPY How does SSOE help? Help clients understand the permit requirements and how they apply to them. Complete / coordinate permit applications and help revise processes and/or building plans to meet guidelines. How does SSOE add value? SSOE applies its broad knowledge of industrial processes and facilities and full range of services to identify emissions issues before permits are submitted for review. Mandatory GHG Reporting Rule Download the complete chart What is it? In October 2009, the EPA issued the "Mandatory Reporting of GHGs Rule" that requires industrial facilities to report their GHG data and other relevant information. The Rule is referred to as 40 CFR 98 (or Part 98 Rule).The gases reported include CO2, N2O,and CH4. Why does it exist? To gain accurate and timely GHG data that will inform future decisions. Who does it affect? Facilities that emit 25,000 TPY of GHGs, and any of the following facility Continue Reading →

Chemicals exist on virtually every worksite. It is important to know and understand the routes of entry into the human body. In this safety message, we look at the four routes of exposure, and safe work practices around chemicals. Continue Reading →

ATLANTA, Georgia, August 10, 2023 – SSOE Group (www.ssoe.com), an internationally ranked architecture and engineering firm, is pleased to announce the appointment of Architect Jakiel Sanders, AIA, NCARB, by the National Council of Architectural Registration Board (NCARB) to serve as the Experience Committee Chair. Continue Reading →

Managing safety often lies in the hands of a Safety Manager or Director, and sometimes even those with other hats such as Facilities, Human Resources, and Office Management. We understand that someone must be responsible for creating, implementing, tracking, coaching, and investigating all things safety related, but can YOU put all of your faith and trust in just one person? What if you only see that person a couple of times a year? What if only a couple of times per day? The question is, WHO is responsible for your safety? If you did not say that YOU are responsible for YOUR safety, then we may have a problem. The best person to ensure that you don’t do something foolish, or wrong, is you. You are the one doing the activity or performing the task. Think back to some of the things that you have done that were not safe. Continue Reading →