iSi Discusses Environmental Compliance at Chattanooga EHS Summit
iSi's Consulting Services Manager, Nikki Chavez, CHMM, presented Lessons Learned: The Most Common Issues and Gaps Found in Environmental Compliance Audi...
Nikki Chavez, CHMM – iSi’s Consulting Services Manager iSi’s Consulting Services Manager, Nikki Chavez, CHMM, presented “Lessons Learned: The Most Common Issues and Gaps Found in Environmental Compliance Audits” at the Chattanooga Regional Manufacturer’s Association Annual EHS Summit. Environmental audits can serve as a useful tool when looking to identify gaps, or even a starting point, for new and existing facilities. Nikki has conducted over 80 environmental audits at industrial facilities. She is also an ISO 14001 Certified Lead Auditor. In this presentation, Nikki identifies the most common environmental gaps and trouble points she’s observed in the areas of waste, water, air and overall compliance. The CRMA EHS Summit brings together professionals engaged in creating and apply new methods to address and resolve environmental issues in various fields. Learn more at http://cma1902.com/. If you could not make it to the conference, get the highlights on our previous blog post. Environmental audits can help you determine where you stand on EPA and state compliance. Let iSi help you find the gaps in your program! for Nikki to Do An Audit
TL;DR: Nikki Chavez’s 80+ audits reveal consistent gaps: waste handling/documentation errors, wastewater discharge violations, air emissions exceeding permit limits, and incomplete EHS management system documentation. These gaps cross industries and facility sizes, indicating systemic compliance blind spots that audits rapidly expose and that written corrective action plans can close.
What’s at Risk: Unaudited facilities accumulate compliance gaps silently until an EPA inspection triggers enforcement. Single audit findings can spawn multiple citations, fines, and operational restrictions. Facilities with documented audit histories and corrective action tracking typically negotiate lighter enforcement and demonstrate due diligence to insurance carriers and regulators.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the most common environmental compliance gaps found in audits?
Common environmental compliance issues include improper waste handling and documentation, wastewater discharge violations, air emissions exceeding permit limits, and incomplete environmental management system documentation. iSi Environmental’s data from over 80 environmental audits shows these gaps consistently across industrial facilities.
Q: What is a CHMM certification and why is it important for environmental audits?
CHMM stands for Certified Hazardous Materials Manager, a professional credential demonstrating expertise in hazardous waste management, environmental regulations, and compliance strategies. Auditors with CHMM certification provide authoritative assessments of facility environmental programs and help identify risk areas.
Q: What does an environmental audit cover?
Environmental audits assess compliance across four primary areas: waste management, water discharge, air emissions, and overall EPA compliance. iSi Environmental conducts comprehensive audits that evaluate whether facilities meet federal EPA regulations and state-specific environmental requirements.
Q: How often should facilities conduct environmental audits?
While no universal frequency mandate exists, most facilities benefit from environmental audits every 2-3 years to ensure ongoing EPA compliance and identify emerging regulatory changes. Industrial facilities in Chattanooga and the surrounding regions should consider annual audits if they operate under multiple EPA permits or have significant environmental risks.
Environmental audits start at $1,500 for records review and single-system assessment (waste, water, or air). Comprehensive facility audits covering waste, water, air, and management systems run $3,500–$8,000 depending on facility size and operational complexity.
Need help identifying environmental compliance gaps before EPA arrives? Contact iSi Environmental for a same-day quote, or explore our EPA services to see how we can help your facility.
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