GZA’s Brian Morrill certified as Toxics Use Reduction Planner

NORWOOD, Mass., February 8th 2022--GZA GeoEnvironmental Inc. (GZA), a leading multi-disciplinary firm providing geotechnical, environmental, ecological, water, and construction management services, announced today that Associate Principal Brian Morrill has achieved official certification as a Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Planner (TURP) able to assist companies and organizations in complying with laws governing toxic chemical use.

Environmental, safety, and process professionals with required education and experience earn the TURP certification through successful completion of a course developed by the Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI) at the University of Massachusetts Lowell and then passing a certification exam developed by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP). Morrill, who successfully completed all the required work to earn the TURP certification, is also a Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM) and Certified Instructional Trainer. 
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 1989 enacted the Toxics Use Reduction Act (TURA), requiring companies throughout the state that use above specified threshold levels of specific toxic chemicals to evaluate and plan for toxics reduction opportunities, implement them if practical, and annually measure and report the results. The Act, administered jointly by the MassDEP, TURI, and the state’s Office of Technical Assistance, is credited with leading hundreds of businesses statewide to improve their manufacturing efficiency and reduce their usage of chemicals that can prove toxic if improperly handled.

Subject facilities in Massachusetts that used one or more chemicals above the reporting threshold in 2021 will be required to develop a Toxics Use Reduction (TUR) Plan or Plan Update.  As a certified TURP, Brian can assist companies in organizing their efforts to reduce their usage of toxic chemicals and develop the plans and documentation required to comply with the regulations.