HomeMy WebLinkAboutLEPC meeting 080916
LEPC MEETING MINUTES
County of Hawaii, Civil Defense
August 9, 2016, 10:00am
Members Present: Gerald Kosaki, Lead Co-Chairperson; Henry Silva, Co-Chairperson; John
Peard, DOH-HEER; Michel Uchida, HFD Hazmat; Muriel Ahuna-Leong, PGV; Non-Members:
Sharon Leonida, DOH-HEER
I. Meeting called to order at 10:15 am by Chair Gerald Kosaki. Introduction of new member
representative for PGV Muriel Ahuna-Leong.
II. Approval of May 12, 2016 meeting minutes – John Peard identified a correction to page 3
section VIII, subsection a, to omit “a sample.” Minutes was approved as amended.
III. Hazmat Training
a.Chair Kosaki gave an update and summary of the NASTTPO conference and presented
his letter to the committee. He discussed the idea of sharing information from EPA
regarding Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) with groups in the community such as the
Keaukaha Action Network, Puna Alliance, and other such groups. This could be done
by posting this information on the LEPC website.
b.Chair Kosaki stated that two HFD personnel attended the Ammonia Safety Day hosted by
the State Department of Health that was held at Kapolei, Oahu on June 15, 2016. He
discussed information that was shared with the hazmat companies as well as with the
Honokaa station. Hamakua Energy Partners (HEP) located in Honokaa is among the top
4 users of Ammonia in the state. John Peard inquired about inspections and drills at HEP
and other such facilities. Sharon Leonida added that HIOSH has a training and
consultation branch that could visit companies and do a free consultation on their
potential violations. Chair Kosaki added that HFD has used this service before and that
there are formal and informal visits that can be done. Mike Uchida stated that HFD does
pre-plans for facilities in their districts that can identify specific hazards that may pose a
threat for responders. John Peard suggested posting these available services on the
LEPC website.
c.Chair Kosaki stated that there were three HFD personnel who will be attending the
upcoming Hazmat Continuing Challenge. He stated that he had gotten input from the
hazmat captains to identify the classes that should be taken at this conference. A report
will be submitted to the LEPC by each attendee upon returning. Chair Kosaki also
stated that he was able to secure a grant for all three attendees to pay for their registration
fees. This is a total of $1,200 savings to the LEPC.
V. School Labs and chemicals update/Dr. Peevey presentation to HSERC – this will be tabled to
a later date. Henry Silva requested an update from HSERC regarding the status of this project.
It has been approximately one year since any new information was given.
VI. County Reports
a.Civil Defense – None
b.Fire – Chair Kosaki identified some problems that HFD was having with the warranty of
procuring through Rae Systems. Their policy currently does not allow for replacement
as long as it can be calibrated, even if the sensors are expired. Chair Kosaki will be
discussing this issue with Rae Systems representatives at the upcoming Continuing
Challenge Conference.
c.Police - None
VII. Industry Partners Report
a.PGV – Muriel confirmed that PGV completed their redrilling well in June. They also
had a scheduled plant outage in July without any major incidents. She also spoke about
an incident that occurred with one of their workers when he was exposed to Sulfuric
Acid on his hand and arm sue to improper wearing of his PPE (gloves).
VIII. Department of Health HEER Report
a.John Peard reported that they were doing surveys of 23 schools in east Hawaii from a
$250,000 grant for these studies. To date, they found 2 schools that had higher levels of
arsenic, lead, and other chemicals. This was found in the soil near the buildings.
Those with higher levels found are required to create and implement an exposure control
plan.
b.John also stated that in the low income housing in Lanakila during the demolition, lead,
arsenic, and other chemicals were found.
c.John stated that there is new VOG information that was updated. They have created a
new brochure and the new information can be found on the website.
XI. Committee Reports – no committee reports were given
X. Next Meeting-Tentative November 29, 2016
XI. Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 11:45am