CCAR Teams with Maryland Department of the Environment to Provide Online Training to Emissions Technicians

The Coordinating Committee For Automotive Repair has partnered with the Maryland Department of the Environment to offer CCAR’s “S/P2” online training in Safety and Pollution Prevention to Master Certified Emissions Technicians in Maryland’s Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program.

(PRWEB) July 9, 2005 -- The Coordinating Committee For Automotive Repair (CCAR®) has announced a cooperative effort with the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) to provide CCAR’s “S/P2” online training in Safety and Pollution Prevention to technicians that are a part of Maryland’s Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program.

Maryland’s Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program (VEIP) is an important component of the State’s plan to improve air quality. Emissions tests are administered to 1977 and newer vehicles weighing up to 26,000 lb. GVWR. Vehicles that fail must be repaired and pass a re-inspection within 120 days. About 500 Master Certified Emissions Technicians (MCETs) participate in the MDE’s voluntary Certified Emissions Repair Facility and Fleet Inspection Station programs

“Technicians who have achieved the MCET level have demonstrated their commitment to protecting the environment by acquiring the expertise in emissions repairs that helps make Maryland’s air cleaner and healthier to breathe,” said Marcia Ways, Mobile Sources Control Program Manager at MDE. “We are pleased to team up with CCAR to offer MCETs this excellent opportunity to expand their knowledge about environmental protection through S/P2 training.

“The program covers ways to reduce the impact of automotive repair operations on human health and the environment, through a proactive approach that reduces or eliminates pollution prior to recycling or disposal, and conserves energy, water and raw materials,” Ways continued. “Shop owners and managers may also learn about ways to reduce operating costs through this program. Plus, we think technicians will enjoy the S/P2 learning experience because the program is so easy to use and offers immediate feedback.”

S/P2 is Internet-based education developed by CCAR to address key safety and pollution prevention issues for automotive repair professionals. The training is based on U.S. EPA and OSHA standards, which require that shop personnel be trained when they start work and at least annually on safety and environmental regulations.

CCAR also provides S/P2 free of charge to automotive training programs, and more than 1,700 schools representing over 140,000 students currently have access to the training.

“The Board of Directors of CCAR commends the State of Maryland and the Department of the Environment for this progressive step to provide information and guidance on environmental and safety issues to these emissions technicians,” said Lirel Holt, CCAR Chairman. “Using S/P2’s online training and tracking, Maryland is ‘raising the bar’ for these repair facilities in terms of their awareness of environmental and safety compliance. Everyone in this relationship benefits, and the commitment to protecting the environment is strengthened.”

CCAR, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, also operates “CCAR-GreenLink®,” the National Environmental Compliance Assistance Center for Automotive Repair, in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

For more information on S/P2, visit its web site at www.sp2.org or call toll-free at 1-888-772-3535.

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