Berkshire Health Systems Chooses Director of Occupational Health

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Dr. James McEleney
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Health Systems appointed James D. McEleney, a board certified occupational medicine physician with additional specialization in urgent care, as the medical director of Berkshire Occupational Health. Dr. McEleney has extensive experience in occupational medicine, and will join Richard Dodge in providing comprehensive occupational medicine services to businesses throughout the region.

Dr. McEleney comes to the Berkshires following 12 years as clinical director of occupational and travel Medicine and employee health at Caritas St. Elizabeth's Medical Center in Boston. He previously worked for Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital and the Cambridge Health Alliance as medical director of occupational health and employee health.

He is board certified in occupational medicine by the American Board of Preventive Medicine, and received his medical degree from St. Louis University Medical School. He completed his residency in occupational medicine at the former University Hospital in Boston, now Boston Medical Center, and has a Master of Public Health from Boston University School of Public Health.
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MassDEP Penalizes Berkshire Springs for Failing to Report Diesel Spill

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has penalized Berkshire Springs Holding Company, LLC, for failing to notify MassDEP of a September 2023 spill of diesel fuel at a service station in Pittsfield. 
 
Berkshire Springs is a bottler and distributor of spring water based in Southfield.
 
"It is critical that customers of gasoline and diesel fueling facilities diligently monitor their fueling operations to avoid spills of petroleum products that would negatively impact public safety and the environment," said Michael Gorski, director of MassDEP’s Western Regional Office in Springfield. "The cleanup has been completed, and today’s penalty sends a strong message that MassDEP will hold parties accountable for failing to provide notification of releases of petroleum to the environment." 
 
On September 12, 2023, MassDEP Emergency Response personnel were notified by the Pittsfield Fire Department of a spill of diesel fuel at the 480 West Housatonic Street service station. MassDEP staff responded and determined that a sudden release of diesel fuel, likely exceeding the reportable quantity of 10 gallons, occurred when a Berkshire Springs truck was being fueled.
 
MassDEP confirmed through review of video surveillance footage that the Berkshire Springs employee fueling the truck left the vehicle unattended while the pump was engaged. Although the driver was aware of the release, he left the station without notifying station personnel of the release. When station personnel were made aware of the release, they notified Pittsfield Fire and MassDEP. Initial containment of the spill was performed by the Pittsfield Fire Department and cleanup was arranged by the station operator, Global Partners LP. 
 
Although no waterways were affected by the spill, the release impacted an area measuring approximately 30 feet by 30 feet, including the station parking lot out to the public roadway and soil on the western side of the parking lot, and storm drains on the site.
 
MassDEP issued a penalty of $13,125 to Berkshire Springs.
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