The Roof Coatings Manufacturers Association (RCMA), a national trade association representing manufacturers of cold applied protective roof coatings and cements and suppliers of products to the industry, will host a GHS / HazCom Training Session on Tuesday, July 23rd followed by the 2013 RCMA Government Affairs Lobby Day on Wednesday, July 24th, featuring United States Congressman Cory Gardner as a speaker. The training session, which will take place at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill, will be facilitated by GHS / HazCom consultant Dr. Michele R. Sullivan.

On Tuesday, July 23rd, Dr. Michele R. Sullivan will facilitate a one-day Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) / Hazard Communication (HazCom) training session that will highlight the key considerations for complying with GHS requirements. The training session is open to both RCMA members and non-members. Topics that will be covered in the training program include OSHA HazCom scope and applications; health and physical hazard classification and hazard communication elements; labels and other forms of warning; safety data sheets; employee information and training; trade secrets; and compliance timelines.

With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Sullivan is a recognized expert in domestic and international hazard communication, an author of MSDS and GHS Guidance Manuals, and a frequent lecturer on Hazard Communication. As an industry consultant, Dr. Sullivan has provided counsel to APEC, international organizations, overseas governments and U.S. government agencies on the GHS. She prepared GHS situational analyses for U.S. regulations and developed GHS training for U.S. and Asia-Pacific countries.

After the conclusion of Tuesday’s GHS / HazCom training session, RCMA members will take part in an RCMA Government Affairs Lobby Day, where attendees will meet with their congressional representatives to discuss issues of importance to the roof coatings industry. RCMA Federal Lobbyist Craig Brightup will kick off the Lobby Day programming on Wednesday, July 25th with an educational session which will introduce attendees to the latest issues on Capitol Hill and will feature an update on congressional activities from United States Congressman Cory Gardner (R-CO). Congressman Gardner, who has been designated by United States House Speaker John Boehner to be the Republican Party point man on a bipartisan caucus aimed at passing energy-efficiency legislation, will share with the RCMA members the status of pertinent bills and other congressional news.

Congressman Gardner served in the Colorado state legislature for five years prior to being elected to Congress in 2010 to represent his state’s 4th Congressional District. He introduced and passed legislation to expand the development of the nation’s domestic energy resources, and is a primary advocate for the approval of the Keystone XL pipeline. Congressman Gardner graduated summa cum laude from Colorado State University with a bachelor’s degree in political science and earned his Juris Doctor at the University of Colorado Law School. Prior to joining the House of Representatives, Congressman Gardner served as General Counsel and Legislative Director for U.S. Senator Wayne Allard.

“We are pleased to welcome Congressman Gardner as our featured speaker at the RCMA Lobby Day,” said John Ferraro, RCMA executive director.  “The members of the RCMA look forward to the opportunity to hold meetings on Capitol Hill with members of Congress to discuss the issues that are of greatest importance to the roof coatings industry.”

For registration information and further details on the GHS / HazCom Training Session and the 2013 RCMA Government Affairs Lobby Day, please contact RCMA Staff Associate Kelly Franklin at [email protected] or visit www.roofcoatings.org.