To register for this December 16th Environmental Health and Safety Audit webinar, visit augustmackevents.webex.com.
To register for this December 16th Environmental Health and Safety Audit webinar, visit augustmackevents.webex.com.
Free Learning Resource
Bottom Line Times Three
Obviously environmental components play strongly into the Triple Bottom Line. Performing an Environmental Health and Safety Audit is a good starting point to improve your Triple Bottom Line. The results of the audit will aid in the development of your Sustainable Business Strategies.
Environmental, Health and Safety Compliance Recorded Webinars Available
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?
The Five Step Process of eCAP: Compliance Review and Planning
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 second step in this process is compliance review and planning.
During the environmental, health and safety compliance review and planning process, the eCAP® account team will meet with your management team to review your current compliance status and make plans for the year ahead. We evaluate a wide range of variables, including potential new regulations, the possibility of facility process changes, increased production, capital improvements, reduced waste generation, increased energy efficiency and improved raw materials usage. Additionally, we develop customized audit protocols for routine inspections.
To learn more on how eCAP can help your facility maintain EPA environmental compliance and reduce the cost of environmental compliance programs, click here to read an article written by one of August Mack's technical experts.
Key Areas of an Environmental Compliance Audit
- Air
- Wastewater
- Storm Water
- SPCC Plan
- Waste Plan
- Chemical Reporting
- Other Compliance Issues
Free Environmental, Health and Safety (EH&S) Compliance Webinars
The Five Step Process of eCAP: Audit
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 first step in this process is environmental compliance auditing.
The environmental, health and safety compliance audit is designed to establish which regulatory programs apply to your facility and where you stand. This audit includes a complete review of your records and a comprehensive on-site inspection of all your facilities, using the same inspection strategy utilized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
To learn more, click here to read an article on common audit findings written by one of August Mack's technical experts.
During the Audit’s Site Walk/Inspection
During the site walk/inspection portion of an environmental compliance auditing process, an environmental compliance specialist from August Mack Environmental will:
- Try to tour the facility's operations in the sequence of the process
- Ask questions
- Note information on the site/facility map
- Look everywhere (roof, outfalls, maintenance rooms, basement, etc.)
- Note "floor practices"
- Look at surrounding neighbors
Lockout / Tagout
Since many injuries are a result of not having an effective LO/TO program, take a hard look to ensure that you have an effective program that protects your employees. Call me (317.916.3105) if you need a safety specialist to help out.
How Can eCAP Manage My EH&S Compliance?
We are able to successfully implement this environmental compliance program at any facility due to our five step process:
- Environmental, Health and Safety Audit
- Compliance Review and Planning
- Site Inspections
- Electronic Record Keeping and Reporting
- Technical Support
Preparation for an Environmental, Health and Safety Compliance Audit
- Determine the safety requirements for the facility This is important to ensure the safety of the environmental compliance specialist during the audit as well as provide the environmental compliance consultant with an overview of what safety requirements should be implemented at the facility to ensure the safety of its workers.
- Review the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO) record for the facility. The EPA provides an online database of more than 800,000 regulated facilities. ECHO has a variety of data on each facility including information on facility permits, inspection and enforcement data, compliance monitoring history, notice of violations, etc. To view the ECHO record for your facility, visit: www.epa.gov/echo/
- Research industry-specific or area-specific rules and regulations. It is important to consider what industry-specific and/or state regulations may apply to the facility before beginning the environmental compliance auditing process.
- Develop a facility-specific audit checklist.
Why Should You Conduct an Environmental Audit?
There are many reasons to conduct a environmental compliance audit. One of the primary reasons is to avoid any potential regulatory violations or fines from state environmental compliance agencies or the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Another benefit of environmental compliance auditing is to determine your facility's current environmental, health and safety compliance status. An audit will not only identify any potential deficiencies in your environmental compliance programs, but also will provide peace of mind since you will be fully aware of all of the environmental compliance requirements applicable to your facility. Not to mention that conducting a corporate environmental compliance audit is the right thing to do! All of these reasons are why every facility should consider hiring an environmental compliance specialist to conduct an environmental, health and safety compliance audit.
Managing EH&S Compliance
August Mack specializes in environmental, health and safety compliance; environmental due diligence; environmental site remediation; and sustainable business strategies to the industrial, legal, financial, health care and government sectors throughout North America. August Mack has offices in Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio and Pennsylvania. For more information on August Mack's environmental, health and safety services, visit www.augustmack.com or call 800.579.0770.