EHS BasicAuditing Skills Training Course

Module 1. Ethics and Standards of Conduct for Auditors

This section will enhance the candidate’s understanding, judgment and perception of how an auditor should behave and react to ethical situations that can occur in the audit process.  Training will focus on topics such as:

• Conflict of Interest

• Independence of Auditors

• Due Professional Care

• Material Facts and Disclosure

• Auditor Proficiency

Module 2. Audit Program Design and Planning

This section includes issues related to the design, structure and key planning elements of EHS audit programs.  Training will focus on topics such as:

• Senior Management Commitment

• Scope of Audit Programs

• Audit Tools

• Site Selection/Frequency of Audits

• Quality Assurance Mechanisms

• Auditor Staffing/Training

• Legal Protection/Confidentiality of Results

Module 3. Pre-Audit Activities

This section relates to activities associated with preparing to conduct an EHS audit.  This is different from Category 2 above which focuses on audit program planning issues.  Training will focus on topics such as:

• Pre-Visit Questionnaire

• Regulatory Information Review

• Pre-Visit Facility Contact

• Preparation of Audit Plan

• Pre-Audit Team Coordination

• Selection of Audit Criteria

Module 4. On-Site Audit Activities

This section relates to the activities auditors typically conduct once on-site to verify compliance with regulatory requirements.  Training will focus on topics such as:

• Opening Meeting

• Orientation Tour of Facility

• Records/Document Review

• Interviewing

• Visual Inspection

• Closing Meeting

• Handling Sensitive Situations

• Use of Working Papers

Module 5. Post-Audit Activities

This section relates to those activities that occur after the on-site verification activities are concluded and the auditors leave the facility.  Training will focus on topics such as:

• Writing Audit Findings & Recommendations

• Corrective Action Procedures

• Follow-Up/Close-Out of Findings

Module 6. Internal Controls

This section relates to an auditor’s need to understand the systems and procedures that exist at the audited facility to ensure compliance with regulatory criteria.  Training will focus on topics such as:

• Identification of Applicable Compliance Areas

• Responsibility/Accountability for Compliance Task/Functions

• Training/Qualifications of Facility Staff

• Availability of Compliance Procedures

• Quality Assurance Mechanisms for Compliance

Course B–Environmental Compliance Auditor Training

Module 7. Environmental Legislative/Regulatory Applicability

This section relates to an auditor’s need to understand what environmental laws and regulations apply to a particular process or operation at audited facilities.  Training will focus on topics such as:

• Major Regulatory Thrust of Nine Major Environmental Laws

• EPA/State Jurisdiction/Enforcement of Laws

• Regulatory Process (interim, draft, final)

• Ability to Determine Applicability of Environmental Laws to Audited Facility Operations/Processes

Module 8. Typical Process Operations and Related Pollution Control Technologies

This section relates to an auditor’s ability to evaluate what environmental impacts and compliance issues result from typical process operations and understanding the generic pollution control technologies to control the impacts.  Training will focus on topics such as:

• Typical Waste Steams and Pollutants Generated by Process Operations

• Thresholds that Trigger Compliance Requirements

• General Concepts of Operation of Pollution Control Technologies

• Typical Compliance Related Requirements Associated with Pollution Control Technologies

Module 9. Environmental Media Specific Regulatory Knowledge

This section relates to an auditor’s knowledge of key environmental regulatory requirements that are typically evaluated during an audit.  Training will focus on topics such as:

• Wastewater/Stormwater

• Air Emissions

• Hazardous Waste/Solid Waste

• SARA Title III

• UST’s

• Drinking Water

• Spill Control/Response (SPCC)

• TSCA (PCB’s)

Course C–Health and Safety Compliance Auditor Training

Module 10. Health & Safety Legislative/Regulatory Applicability

This section relates to an auditor’s need to understand what health and safety laws and regulations apply to particular worker activities or operations at audited facilities.  Training will focus on topics such as:

• Major Regulatory Thrust of General and Construction Standards and Recordkeeping

• Federal OSHA/State Jurisdiction/Enforcement of Laws

• Regulatory Process (interim, draft, final)

• Ability To Determine Applicability Of Occupation Safety and Health Laws/Regulations to Typical Worker Activities and Work Place Environments at the Audited Facility

• Relationship of OSHA standards to:  ANSI Standards,  National Electric Code,NFPA,  ASTM, ASME

• DOT Hazmat regulations

Module 11. Occupational Safety & Health Impacts of Various Worker Activities and Work Place Environments and Related Exposure Reducing Practices and Technologies

This section relates to an auditor’s ability to evaluate what occupational safety and health impacts and compliance issues result from typical worker activities and work place environments and understanding the generic engineering, administrative, and personal protective equipment and technologies to control the impacts.  Training will focus on topics such as:

• Typical Health and Safety Exposures Generated by Various Work Place Activities and Environments

• Exposure Thresholds that Trigger Compliance Requirements

• General Concepts of Operation of Engineering, Administrative, and Personal Protective Equipment Practices and Technologies

• Typical Compliance Related Requirements Associated with Engineering, Administrative, and Personal Protective Equipment Practices and Technologies

Module 12. Health & Safety Specific Regulatory Knowledge (29 CFR 1910 and 1926)

This section relates to an auditor’s knowledge of key regulatory requirements that are typically evaluated during an audit.  Training will focus on topics such as:

           
1910 - Occupational Safety and Health Standards
(General Industry)

• Injury/Illness Recordkeeping

• Hazard Communication

• Emergency Action Planning

• Respiratory Protection

• Hearing Conservation

• Control of Hazardous Energy

• Confined Space Entry

• Blood borne Pathogens

• Ergonomic Programs

• Laser Safety

• Laboratory Safety Management

• Process Safety Management

• Radiation Safety

• Walking - Working Surfaces

• Powered Platforms, Man lifts, and Vehicle-Mounted Work Platforms

• Occupational Health and Safety Environmental Controls

• Hazardous Materials

• Personal Protective Equipment

• General Environmental Controls

• Medical and First Aid

• Fire Protection

• Compressed Gas and Compressed Air Equipment

• Materials Handling and Storage

• Machinery and Machine Guarding

• Hand and Portable Powered Tools and Other Hand-Held Equipment

• Welding, Cutting and Brazing

            (Special Industries)

• Electrical

• Construction Safety