Flashings

EPDM group issues VOC regulation alert

As part of its advocacy efforts, the EPDM Roofing Association has issued updated information regarding volatile organic compound (VOC) regulations issued by the Environmental Protection Agency in the VOC Emissions Control Area in Richmond, Va.

The new regulations became effective Oct. 1 and will be implemented March 1, 2014. Affected Virginia areas include Charles, Chesterfield, Hanover, Henrico and Prince George counties as well as the cities of Colonial Heights, Hopewell, Petersburg and Richmond. The action extends regulations adopted for the Fredericksburg and Northern Virginia regions in 2010.

For details about the regulations, visit the Virginia Register of Regulations at www.townhall.virginia.gov/l/viewstage.cfm?stageid=5678&display=general.

Tremco resolves false claims allegations

The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced RPM International Inc., Medina, Ohio, and its subsidiary Tremco Inc., Beachwood, Ohio, have paid $60.9 million to resolve allegations Tremco filed false claims in connection with two multiple-award schedule contracts with the General Services Administration (GSA) for roofing supplies and services.

Tremco failed to provide the government with price discounts provided to nonfederal government customers and allegedly marketed expensive materials to government purchasers without disclosing the same materials manufactured and sold by the company were available at a lower cost.

"Companies that knowingly skirt the rules for securing government business undermine the integrity of the procurement process and create an unfair advantage against companies that are playing by the rules," says Stuart F. Delery, assistant attorney general for DOJ's Civil Division. "We are committed to ensuring a level playing field and protecting taxpayer dollars."

From January 2002 to March 2011, Tremco is alleged to have knowingly violated contractual obligations to provide GSA with current, accurate and complete information about its commercial sales practices, report changes in discounts to comparable commercial customers and pass those discounts on to government customers, resulting in the government allegedly paying more than it should have for Tremco's services and products. Tremco also allegedly improperly marketed generic products as a superior line of the same product and used a defective adhesive formula in its roof systems.

The settlement resolves a whistleblower lawsuit filed on behalf of the government by Gregory Rudolph, a former Tremco vice president, who will receive more than $10.9 million for his share of the recovery. The lawsuit also includes allegations on behalf of several states under their false claims statutes; however, the settlement with the federal government does not resolve the state actions.

More information is available at www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2013/August/13-civ-968.html.

OSHA awards safety and health grants

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) awarded $10.1 million in grants to 70 nonprofit, community and faith-based organizations; employer associations; labor unions; joint labor and management associations; and colleges and universities. The one-year grants provide funding for education and training programs for workers and employers to help them recognize workplace safety and health hazards, implement injury prevention measures and inform them of their rights and responsibilities.

NRCA was awarded $105,231, which will be used to conduct NRCA's Roofing Industry Fall Protection from A to Z classes. This is a continuation of the grant awarded in 2012. The classes will be held in Atlanta; Cincinnati; Houston; Iowa City, Iowa; Nashville, Tenn.; Salt Lake City; San Diego; San Francisco; and Springfield, Ill.

"These grants reflect the department's commitment to ensuring all workers and employers have the tools and skills to identify hazards and prevent injuries," says Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez. "By further advancing a culture of workplace safety and health, we help to eliminate the false choice between enhancing workplace safety and productivity."

The grant program supports in-person, hands-on training, educational programs and creating training materials guidance for small-business employers; workers and employers in industries with high injury and fatality rates; and vulnerable workers, such as those who are young, have limited English proficiency and are difficult to reach.

For more information, visit www.osha.gov.

CNA announces new allied vendor

CNA, Chicago, has announced San Jose, Calif.-based GreenRoad,™ a leading organization in driver behavior and fleet management solutions, now is a member of CNA's Allied Vendor program. Developed in 2007, the program provides customers with access to additional risk-control programming designed to create safer, more secure work environments.

As part of the new relationship, CNA will offer its clients with commercial automobile coverage GreenRoad services for a four-month introductory period for up to 50 vehicles. Policyholders who decide to continue after the initial period will have the introductory fees applied toward a two-year contract.

"Driver safety remains a top priority, and we are continually looking for ways to help our customers mitigate their risk," says William Boyd, CNA's senior vice president of risk control. "Using telematics, cloud and mobile technology, GreenRoad helps drivers identify how to self-improve, and better drivers use less fuel, crash less frequently and reduce vehicle emissions. It combines a sophisticated driver behavior solution with powerful telematics to track vehicles and manage the fleet."

GreenRoad provides drivers with instant feedback and notifications about how to improve and sustain their driving behaviors, leading to cutting the cost of crashes and delivering a quick return on investment through reduced fuel consumption, maintenance and operational costs.

For more information about GreenRoad or for a complete list of participating vendors, visit www.cna.com.