Q&A – Ask the Experts: What are the Benefits of a Complete Compliance Program?

June 13, 2013 | When was the last time you connected with your HazMat Manager? This seems to be a voided role in our everyday activity as many companies do not have a person with hazardous materials expertise as a part of their in-house staff. Often, the expertise falls on Environmental Manager or Safety Manager.

While Hazmat expertise is a rarity, it goes without saying how important it is to review and develop your security plan. Annual facility audits and training are all critical components of operations in each facility. Compliance programs should be looking out for you and your personnel. What are the benefits of a complete compliance program?

Q: What makes up a complete compliance program?

A: TCA enlists a customized program that works to suit the client’s needs. Often, this involves bringing training up to par with all regulations, offering frequent compliance audits and due diligence assessments to make sure there are no gaps in operations, and consulting to answer any questions and help in any case that the client may encounter. Making sure a program is in place to cover all regulations that the organization must comply with is essential. Therefore, awareness of each regulatory governing body is also needed. We have found that security plans are becoming an essential part of each organization’s operations. An explanation of and supporting evidence for why these programs work also helps our clients better understand how they can keep their operations on par with the industry standard. We even extend the programs into record keeping and management of large and small portions of data.

Q: How can a facility that does not have a Hazmat manager accommodate their safety needs?

A: It is true that Hazmat talent seems to be a lost art today. We draw upon years of experience in the chemical industry here at TCA and we are fostering that expertise in our team. It is important to talk to experts who are dedicated to a specific practice and want to share that expertise with others. Our customized compliance programs – suited to the client’s needs – are the perfect way to make sure your challenges are addressed and given a solution.

Q: What happens in the event of a serious accident at a facility? How does the compliance program help during times of emergency?

A: This is always a critical time in an organization’s operations. We want to prevent accidents from happening. Yet, accidents are called accidents for a reason. This is where we have found that security plans are critical to making sure the safest and best possible outcome in the result in the event that an accident occurs. Security plans should be made available through facilities so everyone can be aware of and educated on the plans to help promote safety and security. In light of the recent tragic events in West, Texas, it is especially important to consider making sure a compliance program was in place and that the organization adheres to those standards. We can see the devastating effects of failing to adhere to regulatory standards – that is a risk no one wants to take. Investing in a compliance program isn’t just good practice for an organization’s operations; it is a way of ensuring their future.

Want to learn more about our customized compliance programs? See what we have to offer here!