I can't tell you how many times potential clients have asked me about "Going Green" and immediately want to discuss sustainable business strategies, such as recycling, planting trees, etc. My first response is to ask whether they are compliant with all of the required environmental compliance requirements. The typical response is either "yes" or an inquisitive look. Based upon my experience, many facilities are not fully compliant with the numerous environmental compliance programs that are applicable to their operations. They are not willfully violating these requirements, but they just do not realize what all the requirements are that affect them! There are regulations that may be applicable related to boilers, chemicals, waste disposal, storage of oil related products, underground storage tanks and the list goes on. This is why it is difficult to be fully compliant. So where should you start? Step back and perform a full environmental compliance audit. If you need help with that, call me at 317.916.3105.
Free Learning Resource
Monday, August 30, 2010 by
eCAP Account Team
August Mack Environmental provides numerous webinars on a variety of topics, including environmental compliance programs, environmental compliance auditing, health & safety compliance, sustainable business strategies and environmental management systems. To attend one of our free webinars, visit:http://www.augustmack.com/webinars/.
Recorded Webinar Available on Understanding LDAR Applicability and Implementation
Thursday, August 19, 2010 by
August Mack Environmental
It is estimated leaking components in facilities nationwide emit more than 40,000 tons of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) each year. Recent EPA audits suggest that actual facility leak rates are over five times as much as what had been previously reported. The EPA is increasing enforcement and more facilities are becoming applicable to Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) program requirements through the Clean Air Act via New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) and National Emission Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) regulations.
This informative webinar will detail applicability requirements of facilities subject to LDAR program from NSPS and NESHAP regulations. The webinar will also explore implementation options that facilities have to fully execute LDAR.
Click here to view this recorded webinar presented by an August Mack Environmental Compliance Consultant.
Is Your Maintenance Department Aware of Environmental Regulations?
Monday, August 2, 2010 by
Tom Anderson
Almost all facilities have a maintenance department that is responsible to maintain the equipment and facility. In this process of maintaining the facility, this department can generate different types of waste. One waste stream that has the potential to be a hazardous waste is any spent solvent from a parts washer. Depending upon the solvent, this material quite often needs to be handled as hazardous waste when it is disposed or removed from the facility. There are numerous other waste streams generated from their work but this is a potentially regulated waste stream. So make sure it is handled appropriately and the facility is being environmentally compliant!
If you are unsure that you are handling all of your waste streams properly, consider having an Corporate Environmental Compliance Audit of your facility. August Mack has a team of Environmental Compliance Specialists that can successfully perform the audit. Call Tom Anderson at 317.916.3105 to further inquire.
If you are unsure that you are handling all of your waste streams properly, consider having an Corporate Environmental Compliance Audit of your facility. August Mack has a team of Environmental Compliance Specialists that can successfully perform the audit. Call Tom Anderson at 317.916.3105 to further inquire.
Safety Compliance
Monday, August 2, 2010 by
Health and Safety Account Team
How is your safety program? Are the plans and programs up-to-date? Have you completed the required training? Have you spot checked or audited your programs? Are you documenting adherence to the requirements? If you are not sure, consider performing a safety compliance audit by a third party. Call August Mack Environmental at 317.916.3105 for more information!
Key Areas for Environmental Compliance Audit: Waste
Monday, July 26, 2010 by
Stephanie Cox
An environmental compliance consultant specialist from August Mack Environmental is likely to ask the following questions regarding waste during the environmental compliance auditing process:
- What is their hazardous waste generator status (CESQG, SQG, LQG or TSDF)?
- Is all waste properly characterized (sludges, dust, etc.)?
The environmental compliance consultant from August Mack Environmental also will:
- Review all record keeping, manifests and reports
- Inspect all satellite accumulation and hazardous waste storage areas
- Review Universal Waste program
Key Areas of an Environmental Compliance Audit: SPCC Plan
Monday, July 19, 2010 by
Stephanie Cox
An environmental compliance consultant specialist from August Mack Environmental is likely to ask the following questions regarding SPCC Plan during the environmental compliance auditing process:
- Do they have or do they need a SPCC Plan?
- Is it updated? Are they following it? Is it PE-certified? Does the plan have all of the necessary elements?
- Where are spill kits located?
The environmental compliance consultant from August Mack Environmental also will:
- Review all record keeping
- Look at all oil storage areas
- Look at housekeeping
An Environmental Audit Can Save Money
Thursday, July 15, 2010 by
Tom Anderson
There are two ways to help the bottom line...spend less or make more. Making more means bringing in more revenue for your organization. This part of the equation is not always 100 percent in your control. The other side of the coin is to spend less and an organization does have a lot of control over this area. Several ways to spend less are to buy less or get a better deal on the things you are buying. But one area where a facility could end up spending money that can be unpredictable is if you had to pay a monetary fine for violating an US EPA or state environmental regulation. These monetary fines can be costly! Additionally it projects a very poor public image of the organization that can eventually affect your revenue stream if people elect to choose an alternative facility. So to prevent this cost, make sure your organization and facilities are complying with all of the regulations related to the US EPA and state regulatory agency (as well as any local regulations). How do you monitor the facility's environmental compliance? Perform a periodic environmental compliance audit. The audit should look at all environmental compliance programs. If your facility doesn't have a dedicated Environmental Compliance Specialist, consider outsourcing this task to an organization that provides this Environmental Compliance Service. Call me (Tom Anderson) at 317.916.3105.
Key Areas of an Environmental Compliance Audit: Storm Water
Monday, July 12, 2010 by
Stephanie Cox
An environmental compliance consultant specialist from August Mack Environmental is likely to ask the following questions regarding storm water during the environmental compliance auditing process:
- Do they have or do they need a storm water permit?
- Is it updated? Are they following it? Does the plan have all of the necessary elements?
- Where are spill kits located?
- Any sampling requirements?
The environmental compliance consultant from August Mack Environmental also will:
- Review the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)
- Review all record keeping and reports
- Look at “high risk” areas
- Look at housekeeping
Environmental, Health and Safety Compliance Recorded Webinars Available
Monday, July 5, 2010 by
August Mack Environmental
Same Level Falls - Slips and Trips
Injuries due to falls are one of the fastest growing safety issues in our workplaces today. Falls can occur anywhere from industrial facilities to office settings and even home-based businesses. Falls are often categorized into two groups; elevated falls and same level falls. Even though elevated falls generally result in more serious injuries, they tend to make up less than 40 percent of work-related fall injuries. The reduction of same level falls or slips and trips can be accomplished through comprehensive auditing, identification of potential fall hazards and the implementation of short and long term countermeasures.
During this webinar, we will discuss fall injuries statistics, who is at risk for fall injuries, identification of fall hazards in the workplace and ways to reduce fall injuries through program implementation.
Confined Space Entry - Don't Find Yourself Stuck
Did you know, on average, 92 workers die each year in confined spaces? One third of all confined space fatalities are individuals acting as supervisors and 60 percent are would-be rescuers. Did you ever wonder if you have confined spaces in your workplace? During this webinar, we discuss the requirements of a Confined Space Program, the dangers of entering a confined space, entry procedures and rescue/emergency services.
Injuries due to falls are one of the fastest growing safety issues in our workplaces today. Falls can occur anywhere from industrial facilities to office settings and even home-based businesses. Falls are often categorized into two groups; elevated falls and same level falls. Even though elevated falls generally result in more serious injuries, they tend to make up less than 40 percent of work-related fall injuries. The reduction of same level falls or slips and trips can be accomplished through comprehensive auditing, identification of potential fall hazards and the implementation of short and long term countermeasures.
During this webinar, we will discuss fall injuries statistics, who is at risk for fall injuries, identification of fall hazards in the workplace and ways to reduce fall injuries through program implementation.
Confined Space Entry - Don't Find Yourself Stuck
Did you know, on average, 92 workers die each year in confined spaces? One third of all confined space fatalities are individuals acting as supervisors and 60 percent are would-be rescuers. Did you ever wonder if you have confined spaces in your workplace? During this webinar, we discuss the requirements of a Confined Space Program, the dangers of entering a confined space, entry procedures and rescue/emergency services.
Material Safety Data Sheets & GHS - What do I need to do?
In the late 1980s, the Federal Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200, better known as the "Hazard Communications" or "Right-to-Know" standard, was proposed and adopted into law. This regulation stood for more than 20 years with only small tweaks here and there. Due to the global economy where it is common place to conduct business in multiple countries, OSHA has proposed the first significant change to the Hazard Communication regulation. The tidal wave of change is about to come crashing down. This webinar will review the changes relative to the Material Safety Data Sheets or Safety Data Sheets (SDS). What changes need to be considered? How will the Global Harmonization Standard (GHS) regulation affect the management of my SDS?
Click here to register for one of these recorded webinars.Key Areas of an Environmental Compliance Audit: Wastewater
Monday, July 5, 2010 by
Stephanie Cox
An environmental compliance consultant specialist from August Mack Environmental is likely to ask the following questions regarding wastewater during the environmental compliance auditing process:
- Are they fulfilling the permit requirements?
- Are all reports being submitted on-time and correctly?
- Are all plans developed that are required in the permit (Slug Control Plan, etc.)? Are they following and updating plans, as necessary?
- Is record keeping being completed as required?
- When are the permits due to be renewed?
- Are there any planned expansions?
An environmental compliance consultant from August Mack Environmental also will:
- Look at all permitted discharges and processes.
- Look at discharges that are not permitted and determine whether or not they should be permitted.
- Review the analytical results, DMRs, etc.
The Five Step Process of eCAP: Site Inspections
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 by
Stephanie Cox
As discussed in an earlier post, eCAP® has a five-step process that one of our environmental compliance specialists utilize to implement eCAP® at any facility. The third step in this process is site inspections.
During a site inspection step, August Mack Environmental provides routine inspections by trained personnel performing customized compliance audits to ensure ongoing compliance with all environmental and safety requirements.
Key Areas of an Environmental Compliance Audit: Air
Monday, June 28, 2010 by
Stephanie Cox
An environmental compliance consultant specialist from August Mack Environmental is likely to ask the following questions regarding air during the environmental compliance auditing process:
- Is the facility fulfilling the permit requirements?
- Are all reports being submitted on-time and correctly?
- Are all plans developed that are required in the permit (CAM, ERP, OM&M, etc.)? Are they following and updating plans as necessary?
- Is record keeping being completed as required?
- Have stack tests been completed?
- When are the permits due to be renewed?
- Are there any planned expansions?
- Look at all permitted equipment and processes (air emissions inventory)
- Look at equipment and processes that are not permitted. Should they be permitted?
- Inspect the roof and look at all stacks
- Review MSDS of any coatings, paints, etc.
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