By now most of you probably realize you need to comply with EPA regulations to keep you and your body shop out of trouble. And though not everyone is gallantly fighting to save the great Planet Earth from turmoil (those of you who are, however, keep up the good work), almost all of you are willing to follow the EPA’s rules. And what a bunch of rules there are. You’ve got rules about dry-cleaning chemicals, rules for restaurants and a whole lot of other rules that … well … really don’t apply to collision repair shops.
That’s why www.ccar-greenlink.org was created. This site is packed with environmental information just for the automotive world. Nothing on restaurants and dry-cleaning. It shows you how to contact experts who can explain the best way to handle environmental problems, like chemical spills. The site also refers you to state and local sources of compliance information. In fact, there’s so much information available, the Federal Trade Commission and National Association of Attorneys General say ccar-greenlink “serves as a useful model to address many automotive related issues.”
To check out what’s happening in environmental news, click on the file folder tab that says “News” located at the top of the page. There, you’ll find everything from the EPA’s plans to decrease sulfur in diesel fuel to news about a body shop owner charged on two counts of violating the Clean Water Act (a situation all shop owners can learn from).
If you click on the “Products” tab, you can read about the different environmental products and services available, like pollution liability insurance. You’ll get an explanation of what exactly the product is as well as reasons why you might need it. The section also displays information on the Universal Technical Institute, which offers classes to train techs in environmental laws and provides certification. You can also learn about recycling steel from the Steel Recycling Institute.
Ever wonder why you’re required to have certain items in your shop? Your painters might complain daily about wearing an air respirator, but if they understood why they need it, maybe they wouldn’t object so much. To find out – so you can share it with them later – click on the “Shops” tab. Once the new page loads, you’ll have four virtual “rooms” to choose from: a collision repair shop, a paint-mixing room, a spraybooth and an auto repair shop. Each scene displays all the equipment required for that room. If you click on a certain piece of equipment (like an air respirator), you’ll get information about the piece and why it’s vital to the room.
Whether you’re out to save the world or just out to protect your body shop, www.ccar-greenlink.org is there to lend a hand.
Writer Emily Canning is an intern with BodyShop Business.
