News Briefs

By Levy Joffrion

EPA Guide Includes 2002 Vehicle

The EPA's Web site includes 2002 vehicles in its Green Vehicle Guide. The guide is designed to help consumers make more environmentally informed choices when purchasing a vehicle by allowing them to identify the cleanest, most fuel-efficient vehicle that meets their needs. Cleaner, fuel-efficient vehicles not only help reduce air pollution, but may save consumers money in the process. The guide can be found by visiting www.epa.gov/greenvehicles.

NHTSA Proposes 2004 CAFE Standards

The U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a notice of proposed rulemaking for Model Year 2004 light truck Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. Beginning in 1996, Congress has prohibited NHTSA from spending any funds to consider any changes to the level of 1996 CAFE standards. This prohibition was lifted in December 2001.

NHTSA has not had sufficient time to study whether a level other than the one that has been in place since 1996 should be proposed. By law, NHTSA must issue a final rule establishing a 2004 model year light truck CAFE standard by April 1, 2002. Therefore, NHTSA is proposing a model year 2004 light truck CAFE standard of 20.7 mpg, the same level that has been in effect since 1996.

CAPA Web Site Adds Part Search Feature

The Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA) has added a new feature to its Web site, www.capacertified.org. Any visitor to the Web site, which has always been available free of charge, will now be able to obtain information about a particular part by simply entering the CAPA seal number.

Each special, tamper-proof seal is marked with a unique number. CAPA Web site visitors can enter that seal number and the status of the part will appear on-screen (certified, decertified, etc.) along with all part information including the manufacturer, part type and lot number. For parts that are currently certified, you can even determine the status of individual part lots.

ASE Upgrades Registration Process

With a reminder that the deadline to register for spring testing is March 29 comes word from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) that it has simplified the online registration process by opening online registration 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

To register for the spring 2002 ASE testing dates of May 7, 9 and 14, go to ASE's Web site, www.asecert.org, and click on the animated registration message.

In other news, ASE has also announced that the City of Colorado Springs Fleet Management Parts Division in Colorado Springs, Colo., has been awarded the ASE Blue Seal of Excellence Recognition for professional dedication demonstrated by a high percentage of ASE-certified parts counterpersons. It is the first establishment to be recognized in the parts category.

OSHA Record-Keeping Rule Takes Effect

Simpler, easier to follow requirements for tracking workplace injuries and illnesses are now in force for 1.4 million employers covered by OSHA's new record-keeping rule that took effect Jan. 1, 2002. The new record-keeping system is said to be easier for employers to understand, better protects employee privacy in sensitive cases and will yield more accurate injury and illness data. The new OSHA forms are shorter and instructions for filling out the forms have been clarified and simplified.

OSHA recently mailed forms to employers likely to be covered by the rule. In addition, new record keeping forms, training materials, fact sheets and other assistance are available on OSHA's Web site at www.osha-slc.gov/ recordkeeping/index.html.

Also, OSHA has a new publication that might be useful, called “Record-keeping: It's new, it's improved, and it's easier.” It's designed to help employers determine if they are covered by OSHA's new record-keeping rule. The publication explains the importance of injury and illness records, identifies basic record-keeping requirements, highlights changes in the rule and includes a resource listing for additional information.

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