From Permits to the Press: Responsibilities of an Environmental Manager

Gabriele Crognale

Have you ever wondered what it takes to fill the shoes of an environmental manager? You may work with one or even aspire to be one. As is usually the case at industrial companies regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the roles and responsibilities of a typical environmental manager always appear to be going fast forward. The EM's job is dynamic and requires extreme diligence. On any given day, these responsibilities may encompass any one or all of the following tasks. Welcome to the job of the environmental manager!

Coordinating with other departments. In some companies, Health & Safety is part of the Environmental Group, and responsibilities are combined. In other companies, the groups are distinct, and their respective responsibilities overlap only on occasion. In the latter case, Em's may need to ensure that worker health and safety issues regulated by OSHA are addressed, especially in those areas where inattentiveness to OSHA requirements may generate environmental problems.

In addition, the activities of other departments and managers can have an impact on the environment and the Em's job. For example, the Purchasing Manager of Research and Development Director may import a new chemical into the facility. This may be a chemical that requires workers to become familiar with Material Safety Data Sheets as part of their routine and furthermore may fall under some requirement of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) that the EM would need to address.

Overseeing the submittal of permits and other required documents. Environmental regulatory requirements are the most pervasive in processing and manufacturing industries. As a result, the number of documents that regulatory agencies require on a routine basis can be overwhelming. The situation requires extreme diligence on the part of the EM to ensure that these documents are filed on a timely basis and revised and updated when necessary, and that new processes coming on-line are also included in the documentation inventory. Em's need to build strong lines of communication with line managers to make sure that no new processes begin without the required permits.

Reviewing contractors' and consultants' bids for work. Situations may arise where the assistance of outside specialists are needed to help get a specific job done. For example, the EM may need help in removing underground storage tanks, assistance in the cleanup of a spill or in training facility personnel about specific environmental regulations, or help in conducting environmental audits. In any of these cases, it is important that the EM thoroughly review the qualifications of the contractors who are being asked to bid on this work to ensure they are qualified.

Overseeing emergency procedures. One of the most critical responsibilities that an environmental manager has is overseeing emergency response following an accident involving a chemical or hazardous material. The steps that need to be followed in such emergencies and the responsibilities of key individuals are usually found in a facility's Contingency Plan, especially if that facility is listed with the EPA as a large-quantity generator.

Handling the media after a spill or release. In certain situations, unexpected spills or releases may cause some catastrophic event or catch the eye of a regulatory watchdog thereby triggering media attention. In such cases, regardless of the size of the facility or whether it's listed with the EPA as a large- or small-quantity generator, the EM, facility manager, and possibly legal counsel may need to plan a strategy to diffuse any adverse publicity the event may generate. It's actually prudent to plan out several "what if" scenarios before such events occur to ensure greater success with the media.