Training Course
Syllabus:
Although an audit program can contribute to many desirable goals and objectives, its main functions can be grouped into two separate areas: confirmation and identification. All environmental audits should be structured at least to address these important objectives. Confirmation is the verification of a facilities' compliance with various environmental rules such as emission limits, effluent standards, and waste management practices. Identification occurs during the confirmation process and identifies areas of weakness which allows the facility to confront problems internally without external interference.
The benefits of the environmental audit program are many-fold and include a proactive and cost-effective approach to environmental problems, and acts as an insurance policy against major environmental issues. This tool is recognized by management as a way to establish credibility with the general public, employees and the regulatory community. Additionally, publicly held corporations enjoy a benefit of not having a 'material' issue which can affect the firm according to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules. Generally lower insurance rates are enjoyed and facility expansions are less time-consuming and exhaustive because environmental permits are in place and the facility is in compliance.
8:30 a.m. - 9:50 a.m.
I. Environmental Auditing And
Assessments For Residential And
Commercial Property
Transactions
A. Introduction
B. Environmental Regulatory History
C. Environmental Regulations – Major Impact Actions
D. Classification For Environmental Audits
E. Environmental Laws On Real Estate Transactions: Federal CERCLA
F. Innocent Landowner Defenses To Liability
G. Brownfields Legislation (Federal)
H. Mississippi Brownfields Voluntary Cleanup And Redevelopment Act
I. Typical Scope Of Services And Associated Cost
J. Environmental Case Studies
9:50 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Break
10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
II. Legal Issues Of Environmental
Compliance
A. Sarbanes-Oxley And Environmental Auditing
B. Mississippi Audit Privilege Law
1. Civil And Criminal Protection (Or Lack Of)
C. Attorney-Client Privilege And Auditing
D. Self-Policing Disclosure And Penalty Mitigation
E. Regulatory Violation Reporting
F. Legal Issues Of Records Retention
G. Protection Of Confidential And Trademark Information
H. Regulatory Agency Right Of Entry, Inspection And Sampling
I. Preparing For An Agency Audit
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Lunch (On Your Own)
12:30 p.m. - 1:40 p.m.
III. Environmental Compliance Audits
A. What Can An Audit Discover?
B. Compliance Audit Goals And Potential Benefits
C. Roles And Responsibilities
D. Scope Of Program
E. Audit Coverage
F. Corporate Audit Elements
G. Environmental Auditing
H. Environmental Auditing Approach
I. Audit Documents To Review
J. Common Compliance Problems
K. Audit Report Structure And Distribution
L. Summary: Managing The Program
M. Case Studies
1:40 p.m. - 1:50 p.m.
Break
1:50 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.
IV. Environmental Management
Systems
A. Definition Of An Environmental Management System (EMS)
B. What A Successful EMS Does
C. Major Components Of An EMS
1. Policy
2. Planning
3. Implementation And Operation
4. Checking And Corrective Action
5. Management Review
D. Plan, Do, Check Act – Continual Improvement
E. Advantages Of Having An EMS
F. Case Studies
G. Where To Get More Information
3:15 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
V. OSHA Safety And Health Issues
A. Hazardous Chemical Exposures
B. Fire Hazards
C. Electrical Hazards
D. Equipment Hazards
E. Emergency Action
F. Noise Exposure
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