PROGRAM TOOLS

Quick Assessment
Self-Assessment Program
Issues Identification/Significant Impacts Analysis
Peer Review Program
Validation
Training
Database/Information Management
Documentation of Diligence
Protection of sensitive information
Internal Reporting
External Reporting

Quick Assessment. Review of environmental aspects and impacts of operations by team of internal and external specialists with expertise in the technical, regulatory and management aspects of environmental impacts and management.

Self-Assessment program. Guided self-assessment of environmental management aspect of operation from functional (operational) and institutional (management) perspectives.

Issues identification / significant impacts analysis. Review results of quick assessment and self-assessment to identify key issues with potentially significant impacts and develop recommendations for ways to manage them and minimize exposures to liability.

Peer review program. Train internal teams to review each others' operations for potential issues, resolutions and technology transfer from one site to another. This may include participation by EMS Network personnel and consultants, as well as review of the results of peer review for analysis and recommendations. [Top]

Validation. Related to the peer review proc\\ess, we can assist in expanding it so that the peer review includes an audit for regulatory compliance, effectiveness of environmental management systems, or ISO 14001 conformance. As alternate options, EMS Network can conduct these types of audits as an independent review, or supervise the ISO 14001 auditing process (perhaps in conjunction with implementation). [Top]

Training. Training is the linchpin of implementing and maintaining an effective environmental management program. We provide training in the essential elements of an EMS, including implementation, legal and technical aspects, management linkages, and resolution of specific issues. [Top]

Database / information management. An electronically accessible database maintained either at the company or in our offices for privilege purposes coordinates site-specific environmental management information and serves as a tool in identifying action required and status of pending issues. This may also be used in conjunction with "outreach" efforts to maintain information that can help the company communicate a positive environmental story, if appropriate. The outreach function can also be expanded to include information addressing social responsibility factors. [Top]

Documentation of diligence. The systematic approach to review of operations, implementation of control procedures, development of resolutions and assuring all loops open come to closure, provides documentation of diligence to protect the company in the event of agency or civil plaintiff action. [Top]

Protection of sensitive information under attorney-client privilege. If the program is structured as a counsel-directed effort to investigate and limit exposures to liability, the company may claim that sensitive information developed in the course of the investigation is protected by the attorney-client privilege. While it is always a case-by-case determination whether that claim can be successfully maintained in a formal legal proceeding, this structure maximizes the probability of success. [Top]

Internal Reporting.Corporate management is periodically advised on significant environmental issues and status of the environmental program, so that where corrective action or program revision are required, management learns of this in a timely fashion, with the opportunity to respond effectively. Internal reporting is a bottom-to-top/top-to-bottom participatory process which plays a major role in integration of the system. Periodic review also enables management to respond positively to inquiries from agencies or private entities concerning environmental issues and corporate stewardship. [Top]

External Reporting. The database and internal review functions are integrated with the program to assure fulfillment of mandatory external reporting requirements. They also provide a strong foundation for response to inquiries from agencies or private entities concerning environmental issues of corporate stewardship. Finally, if an external environmental annual report is wanted, it can be supported by the program.[Top]