Environmental Program Audits,
Management & Compliance

Programs, guides, and procedures help you prepare and  pass environmental audits. Environmental Policy and Procedure explanations, and environmental management programs provide explanation for workplace environmental audits and their compliance.

Sample Material
  Spill / Release Form
       (Microsoft Word Doc)
 General Environmental Audit
           (Microsoft Word Doc)
  Environmental Management Program

   Material in the Members Area

Policies & Procedures - Clear guidelines to meet standards for environmental audits:

    Environmental Management Policy (Template)

    Environmental Management Program

Waste Water Manual
This manual provides up-to-date information on onsite wastewater treatment system (OWTS) siting, design, installation, maintenance, and replacement. It reflects significant advances that the expert community has identified to help OWTSs become more cost-effective and environmentally protective, particularly in small suburban and rural areas.
 

Environmental Forms / Audits/ Inspections
    Waste Management Audit
    Air Quality Audit
    Small Quantity Generator Checklist
    Oil Spill & Chemical Release
    On site Tank Audit
    EP CRA Audit
    General Audit
    Hazardous Waste Audit
    Waste Determination Audit
    SPCC Audit
    Waste Water Audit
    Environmental Checklist (Monthly)
    Release and Corrective Actions Form
    Storm Water Sampling Form
    Storm Water Sampling Instructions

Detailed Environmental Audit Procedures

1. Environmental Compliance Audits of Hazardous Waste Generators under the RCRA

- Appendix A: Identification and Listing of Hazardous Waste

-  Appendix B: Commercial Chemical Products or Manufacturing Chemical Intermediates Identified as Toxic Wastes

- Appendix C: Toxicity Characteristics Constituents and Regulatory Levels

- Appendix D: Identification of Hazardous Waste Hazardous Constituents

- Appendix E: Commercial Chemical Products or Manufacturing Chemical Intermediates Identified as Acute Hazardous Waste

- Appendix F: Potentially Incompatible Hazardous Wastes

- Appendix G: Land Disposal Restricted Wastes and Their Effective Dates

2. Environmental Compliance Audits under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (25 pages)

3. Environmental Compliance Audits under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (45 pages)

4. Environmental Compliance Audits of Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facilities under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
(118 pages)

Environmental Management

Environmental management system refers to managing organization's environmental programs in comprehensive systematic, planning and documented manner. It includes organizational structure, planning and resources for developing and implementing and maintaining policy for environmental protection.

Environmental management is not, as the phrase could suggest, the management of the environment as such, but rather the management of  human  impact upon the environment. The three main issues that affect managers are those involving politics, programs, and resources. The need for environmental management can be viewed from a variety of perspectives. A more common philosophy and impetus behind environmental management is the concept of carrying capacity. Simply put, carrying capacity refers to the maximum number of organisms a particular resource can sustain. The concept of carrying capacity, whilst understood by many cultures over history, has its roots in Malthusian theory.

Environmental management involves the management of all components of the bio-physical environment, both living and non-living. This is due to the interconnected and network of relationships amongst all living species and their habitats. The environment also involves the relationships of the human environment, such as the social, cultural and economic environment with the bio-physical environment.

As with all management functions, effective management tools, standards and systems are required. An 'environmental management standard or system or protocol attempts to reduce environmental impact as measured by some objective criteria. The ISO 14001 standard is the most widely used standard for environmental risk management and is closely aligned to the European Eco Management & Audit Scheme. As a common auditing standard, the ISO 19011 standard explains how to combine this with quality management.

The ISO 14000 standards reflect different aspects of environmental management. The following list outlines the broad coverage of each:

Environmental Management Systems:
14001-2004, 14002, 14004

Environmental Auditing:
19011

Environmental Labeling:
14020, 14021, 14022, 14023, 14024, 14025

Life Cycle Assessment:
14040, 14041, 14042, 14043

Other strategies exist that rely on making simple distinctions rather than building top-down management "systems" using performance audits and full cost accounting. For instance, Ecological Intelligent Design divides products into consumables, service products or durables and un-saleable - toxic products that no one should buy, or in many cases, do not realize they are buying. By eliminating the un-saleable from the comprehensive outcome of any purchase, better environmental management is achieved without "systems".

Today's businesses must comply with many Federal, State and local environmental laws, rules, and regulations. It's vital to safeguard your company against compliance short-cuts. This approach leaves you vulnerable to violations of the law, in addition to missing important environmental liabilities

Financial Benefits of Environmental Management
Cost savings through the reduction of waste and more efficient use of natural resources (electricity, water, gas and fuels.)  Avoiding fines and penalties from not meeting environmental legislation by identifying environmental risks and addressing weaknesses.  Reduction in insurance costs by demonstrating better risk management.

Operational and Internal Benefits of Environmental Management
Improved overall performance and efficiency. Able to monitor and reflect (audit) your businesses and see which areas need intervention

External Benefits of Environmental Management
Better public perception of the organization, leading to improved sales  Reduction of the impact (e.g. noises, smells, dust) of your activities on the local residents, leading to more community support.