Environmental Issues in the Workplace Key Terms

Avoid the high costs of non-compliance by learning workplace environmental issues key terms

By Michele Vrouvas

Today's businesses can't be casual in their efforts to ensure they are providing employees with a safe working environment. There is the threat of costly litigation from employees injured on the job because of an employer's negligence. There are also the stiff penalties from non-compliance with the government's environmental guidelines. Getting proactive in your approach to environmental compliance will help you avoid these high costs and will promote greater employee satisfaction with your company.

Regulatory compliance assistance

Companies today are reaching out for regulatory compliance assistance from environmental consultants.
Try: Go to EBI Consulting to find out how an environmental consultant group can help you identify risks, reduce your liability and costs and help you build a safer and more productive work environment.

Site investigation

Site investigation refers to a consultant's evaluation of issues that impact your facility's environmental compliance.
Try: Payne Environmental explains the process of determining whether ground water issues exist or whether geological contamination exists at your facility's site. You'll also learn how to decide what action to take so you can reduce your liability and demonstrate your willingness to comply with remediation strategies.

Bacteria testing

Bacteria testing is a crucial factor in the site investigation that is done to determine a facility's environmental compliance.
Try: At Mold & Bacteria Consulting Laboratories, you'll find out which products are tested for the presence of bacteria. You'll also get links to documents identifying the foods, food ingredients, and pharmaceutical and household products in which bacteria are commonly found.

Risk assessment protocol

A risk assessment protocol refers to a screening method environmental consultants use to detect environmental hazards in the workplace.
Try: Alp & Associates explains how a risk assessment protocol boosts risk management performance in general. You'll find a sample protocol and also learn what makes the protocol successful, which risks are considered and why experts suggest a flexible approach to risk management.

Asbestos

Asbestos has been defined as an airborne carcinogen that has been responsible for causing illnesses, including cancer, in those exposed to it.
Try: Learn what current research is saying about the health effects of asbestos, where it is usually found, what site inspections are done to test for its presence and how it is removed on the Bain Environmental website.

Environmental management

Environmental management refers to the many programs companies implement simultaneously to improve the quality of their workplace environments.
Try: Go to Cleghorn & Associates for an explanation of the five-pronged approach to environmental management. Find out how facilities are inspected to determine risks, how consultants provide corporate advisory services to ensure regulatory compliance and how businesses are using environmental models to help them make informed decisions.