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Issue link: https://pf.epubxp.com/i/131829
become a member at nasf.org it as a model. In addition, the REACH authorization process threatens to single out many critically important substances as the list of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) continues to become clear. As noted by Veronique Steukers of the Nickel Institute, merely being listed in this process tends to stigmatize these materials, resulting in their "deselection," a virtual ban by word of mouth. On the economic front were the consequences of budget sequestration resulting from the bargain reached in debt ceiling negotiations last year. Mark Brunner, Senior Advisor for National Security and Energy for Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va), noted that the cut in the DoD only applied to non-personnel accounts. Thus, there was greater pressure on delaying or cancelling critical projects. Further, monies in less-essential accounts could not be transferred to other, more critical areas. Luncheon Speaker Norman Ornstein, election analyst for CBS News, opined that sequestration was "a stupid way to make policy," severely affecting scientific research and infrastructure and other spending important to the nation's future. Despite the challenges brought forth, there were seeds of optimism from the speakers. Steukers noted that, despite concerns about nickel compounds at the Washington Forum last year, no nickel chemicals were yet on the SVHC candidate list. Betsy Southerland of the EPA announced that there were no further efforts planned pertaining to the metal products and machinery rule. Still, given the overabundance of regulatory agencies worldwide, Dr. Hudson Bates of the Nickel Institute said it best when he noted that constant vigilance on regulatory issues must be undertaken by everyone in the industry. The climate is unlikely to abate for the surface finishing industry for the foreseeable future and probably beyond. TRAINING EVENTS In-Person Courses (Co-located with SUR/FIN) Electroplating & Surface Finishing June 10-13 | Rosemont, Ill. (Optional Exam June 14) The NASF's training arm, the AESF Foundation, is holding this CEF course in conjunction with the NASF SUR/FIN conference and trade show. As the staple course of the foundation's education program, this course will provide the student with a broad range of information related to the fundamentals of electroplating, methods of preparing parts for surface finishing, and an understanding of a wide variety of electroplating and other finishing processes. To register or for detailed course and pricing information, contact Luke Zorich at 202-457-8401 or lzorich@nasf.org. Aluminum Finishing June 10-11 | Rosemont, Ill. (Optional Exam June 13) This training program is designed to benefit employees and supervisors working in both captive and job shops performing anodizing and other finishes on aluminum. The goal of the course is to provide the student with a broad range of information related to metal finishing operations that are commonly conducted on aluminum. To register or for detailed course and pricing information, contact Luke Zorich at 202-457-8401, or lzorich@nasf.org. Web-Based Courses Electroless Deposition New Reshoring Evaluation Tool Available The Department of Commerce has created a new tool to help manufacturers determine the true costs and risks associated with locating new factories overseas. In its opening screen, the "Assess Costs Everywhere" (ACE) web tool asks "Have You Considered ALL the Advantages of Manufacturing and Sourcing in the U.S.A.?" The ACE tool provides companies with the economic justification for considering U.S. production based on labor costs, travel, shipping, inventory, trade financing costs, product quality, intellectual property protection, regulatory compliance costs and political and security risks. Added up, manufacturing plant decisions "should at least consider the United States," the site says. Check out the website and tools at acetool.commerce.gov. Eight 2-Hour Sessions August 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28 Airline & Aerospace Finishing - Part 2 Eight 2-Hour Sessions October 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30 1-Hour Webinars Cyanide Safety Cyanide Emergency Response June 25 June 26 Register for all events at NASF.org. New Safety Report Shows Progress in Manufacturing, Spotlights Workers Compensation The National Safety Council has published its annual report on injuries and fatalities in the American workplace. The data show major progress made in manufacturing over time but also point to some remaining challenges. For the U.S. workforce, there were 3,905 deaths in 2010—699 of them in the construction industry and only 292 in the manufacturing sector—or two deaths for every 100,000 people employed in manufacturing. Workplace injuries cost an estimated $57.5 billion in workers' compensation benefits paid under deductible provisions in 2010, with the most disabling workplace injury being overexertion. In looking at the effectiveness of OSHA workplace inspections, the council cites studies indicating that inspected companies reduced workers' compensation injuries by 9.4 percent and workers' compensation costs by 26 percent. The number of OSHA inspections increased by 8 percent between 2006 and 2010, while the number of total citations increased by 15 percent. "Planned inspections, particularly those with fines, positively influence safety for at least two years," the 208-page "Injury Facts, 2013" publication says. n pfonline.com 15