Pollution Update 5-22-14

Oregon Department of Environmental Quality recently sent Hollingsworth & Vose Fiber Company a pre-enforcement notice following an inspection of Hollingsworth’s Corvallis facility, which is classified as a large-quantity generator of hazardous waste. DEQ’s letter cites Hollingsworth for failing to close containers of hazardous waste, failing to develop and execute weekly inspections of hazardous waste storage containers and failing to cleanup spills. DEQ also recommended improved housekeeping for the entire site, and establishment of a training program to ensure that all employees “are thoroughly familiar with proper waste handling and emergency procedures.” DEQ’s letter gives Hollingsworth until June 16 to respond.