Industrial companies in Texas must adhere to a wide range of compliance requirements. Achieving compliance can be difficult since compliance requirements are set at the state and federal levels.
Two names to know are the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), which sets state regulations, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which sets regulations at the federal level.
A few key areas of compliance include:
- Air emissions
- Stormwater pollution prevention
- Wastewater discharge control
- Spill prevention
- Sampling and Reporting
- Hazardous waste management
Failing to comply with any of the regulations could result in a violation. These violations can lead to fines and other expenses. Plus, companies risk significant public backlash if something goes wrong due to non-compliance.
However, there is some good news for businesses that have fallen out of compliance. The Texas Environmental Health and Safety Audit Privilege Act represents a way out. Join us as we explore this Act and how RSB Environmental can help you achieve compliance.
The Texas EHS Audit Privilege Act: What You Need to Know
The Texas EHS Audit Privilege Act is a new incentive program. Under this act, businesses that have previously been non-compliant can correct their shortcomings without incurring fines. To do so, eligible companies will need to:
- Notify TCEQ that they plan to perform an audit
- Disclose all violations to TCEQ in writing
- Create a plan to correct any violations
- Complete any corrections within 3-6 months
By completing these steps, companies can avoid any fines. They can also use the act to fix any violations. This helps them prevent future fines.
What Types of Companies Does the Act Apply To?
The act applies to any industrial company in Texas. A few examples include:
- Manufacturers
- Oil and gas companies
- Businesses that produce chemical products
Companies in these industries can avoid tens of thousands of dollars of fines and protect themselves from historical violations. The act allows them to go back up to 10 years to fix violations.
How Will Companies Know if They Are in Compliance?
If a company submits audit information to the state, they will receive a response from the TCEQ. The TCEQ will notify the company of any violations and also inform them if documents are missing.
All required documents must be submitted in order to obtain protection under the program. If a company fails to do so, they are no longer protected under the Act. Also, the company may incur extra fines since they reported new violations.
How RSB Environmental Can Help with Compliance
By taking advantage of the Texas Environmental Health and Safety Audit Privilege Act, you can address non-compliance issues from the past ten years. However, complying with the Act itself can be quite complicated. Fortunately, RSB Environmental can help you. We can also insulate your company from liability.
When you partner with our team, we will provide you with the following critical services:
- Conduct an audit.
- Determine which errors were made during past audits.
- Document our findings.
- Identify how your company can fix any violations.
- Assist with environmental compliance by contacting TCEQ.
- Notify TCEQ about any violations we discover.
- Explain to TCEQ the plan to correct any poor industrial hygiene practices.
Overall, our process protects your business from fines and other civil liability. Want to learn more? Contact RSB Environmental today to schedule a free Texas EHS Audit Privilege Act compliance consultation.
