Environmental Health & Safety

For nearly three decades, the asphalt pavement industry has elevated safety to priority #1. Our collective environmental health and safety (EH&S) efforts define our industry – and our essential, capable, one-of-a-kind workforce.

The past two years have tested us. And we have demonstrated our resolve. To keep America moving – from healthcare workers to self-quarantine supplies. To protect each other – in work zones, in the plant, at industry gatherings, and even at home. To advance the industry, advocate for fair regulation, and respond to criticism – relying upon proven science and common sense.

NAPA’s EH&S efforts have helped the industry elevate exemplary practices, even while weathering the pandemic. We stand with you, we support you, and we’re always watching out for you.

ADVOCATING FOR REALISTIC
COVID-19 REGULATIONS

Throughout the year, NAPA assisted members with maintaining COVID workplace protocols. Meanwhile, ongoing discussions between NAPA, our coalition partners, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) resulted in realistic workplace regulations and relief for outdoor workers – with OSHA acknowledging that outdoor workers pose slight risk of contracting or transmitting coronavirus. As a result, outdoor workers were excluded, under specified conditions, from OSHA’s end-of-year Emergency Temporary Standard on COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing.

CURBING EJ’S UNPRECEDENTED OPERATIONAL IMPACTS

The Administration’s spotlight on environmental justice (EJ) spurred state and federal implementation of EJ principles and programs, leading to increased scrutiny on zoning and permitting of manufacturing facilities. Working with potentially impacted members, NAPA submitted a strongly written letter to regulatory agencies, questioning their legal authority to implement more restrictive operating conditions based on abstract EJ principles rather than objective, consistent criteria. Behind the scenes, NAPA is working directly with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to illustrate that asphalt mix plant emissions are low and well controlled, while providing informed, data-driven perspectives on permitting small operations like mix plants.

“Until additional legal authority and clarity is created to address EJ concerns, state and federal agencies should rely on existing programs to ensure safe facility emissions, rather than on uncertain, ad-hoc policy.”

Environmental justice (EJ) is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. (U.S. EPA)

NAPA maintains a collection of materials to assist members with COMMUNITY OUTREACH during mix plant siting. Contact us to get help.

CHALLENGING QUESTIONABLE STUDY FINDINGS ON EMISSIONS

NAPA challenged two separate late-2020 university research studies that implied adverse impacts associated with air and water emissions from asphalt pavements. Our multi-association coalition completed a preliminary analysis in late 2021 questioning many of the assumptions used in those university studies. Through informal dialogue with one university, we demonstrated that their published findings were an artifact of coal tar sealants – not asphalt.

MEDIA HIGHLIGHT RAP

Articles in Asphalt Pavement magazine and Science of The Total Environment reinforced the safety and inertness of leachate from recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) stockpiles.

Chad Spreadbury

Graduate Research Assistant
University of Florida Sustainable Materials Management Research Group presented research on RAP leachate at the 2021 NAPA Annual Meeting.

ADVANCING WORKER SAFETY

NAPA was finally successful in securing work zone safety (WZS) contingency fund language in the surface transportation reauthorization bill signed into law in November. Our focus now shifts to promoting state DOT program implementation, allowing monies to be made available for enhanced work zone safety.

Train workers, save lives with Crew-Safety – anytime, anywhere, online.

Access CrewSafety

Every day, NAPA members make safety a
priority. Read how they’re promoting safety
among their workforce in the EH&S-focused
November/December issue of Asphalt
Pavement magazine.

Our springtime campaign to spotlight work zone safety coincides with National Work Zone Awareness Week, Go Orange Day, and related initiatives to raise awareness among the industry, our partners, and even the public – reminding them to #WatchForUs during paving operations and amplifying the importance of safety in all settings.

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new partners
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Social Media
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300k

impressions
5K

walked by NAPA
staff at HQ
10

winners in our
inaugural
member contest

SUPPORTING MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS

Working with CPWR, NAPA contributed to an April webinar addressing suicide prevention, mental health, and substance abuse among construction workers. NAPA Chairman Jay Winford welcomed more than 300 attendees to the live event. We marked National Suicide Prevention Week in September, sharing the recorded webinar and additional resources.

The suicide rate in the construction industry is nearly 4x the national average (Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention).

If you need help, don’t suffer in silence.

Call 1-800-273-8255

(National Suicide Prevention Lifeline)

or text HELLO to 741741

(Crisis Text Line)