Managing your environmental audit

Journal Article · Mon Jun 24 04:00:00 EDT 1985 · Chem. Eng. (N.Y.); (United States)

OSTI ID:6220323

Russell, D L

This article describes what environmental audits are, why they are conducted, and what to do if your company or plant is subjected to one. An environmental audit is a thorough examination and testing of a company's or a facility's operating records and environmental practices, to gather information about its compliance with federal, state and local environmental regulatory requirements. An ''audit'' is a legally defined activity that differs from the environmental reviews that most firms routinely conduct, because the latter do not follow strict auditing principles. A chemical engineer might get involved in an environmental audit as a member of an audit team or in preparing for an audit. This article is designed to help the engineer and plant management perform either of those tasks. Firms often use audits as a tool to manage the task of complying with regulatory requirements, thus eliminating the likelihood of violations. An audit's results can be used in other ways, too, such as determining capital spending plans and operating budgets, and reducing penalties if environmental violations are found.

• Research Organization: Lockwood Green Engineers Inc.
• OSTI ID: 6220323
• Journal Information: Chem. Eng. (N.Y.); (United States), Journal Name: Chem. Eng. (N.Y.); (United States) Vol. 92:13; ISSN CHEEA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290300* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Environment
Health
& Safety
AUDITS
COMPLIANCE
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
SAFETY STANDARDS
STANDARDS