Environmental Awareness New Hire Orientation Office of Environmental Management

Introduction What is “Environmental Awareness?” Why is it important? How does it affect me and the job I’ve been hired to do?

Environmental Awareness 101 Broad: Being “tuned in” to how decisions and actions of you, your family, your employer, and others affect the ability of the “environment” to sustain and provide for a high quality of life. Fresh air, clean drinking water, natural resources, etc… Narrow: You are now “the Government” Obligated & expected to be “environmentally aware” and to act in accordance with above…

Importance Broad: Narrow: By not acting in an environmentally aware manner, the resulting damage &/or destruction of the natural systems we depend on will adversely affect our health & well-being Narrow: Because your employer said so It is EVERY EMPLOYEE’S responsibility You could get hurt &/or fired See the City’s Environmental Policy document

Environmental Awareness and You as a City Employee Good news, we’ve made it easy… Processes, procedures, and systems are in-place to help ensure that you: Learn how the job you do relates to the City’s role as a regional environmental leader, Get to know the regulations that influence your Department and others you work with, Understand any job-related hazards, Know what to do in an emergency.

Environmental Compliance Manual All employees must be instructed and trained on the contents of the Manual See your Supervisor COMPONENTS Materials Management Incident/Spill Reporting Regulatory Inspections Audits

Requirements All New Supervisory & Management Personnel Must Read the Manual within 10 Days of Reporting to Work Any Employee Below the Supervisory Level Must be Instructed & Trained on the Contents of the Manual

Why do we have an Environmental Compliance Manual? Pollution Prevention, Risk Reduction, & Workplace Safety Part of EPA Agreement Increased Regulatory Scrutiny of Municipalities Key Component of an Environmental Management System (EMS)

Where is the Manual Located? Public Works Service Center Parks & Recreation HQ Civic Center Emergency Communications Center Police Department HQ Department of Fire & EMS HQ Risk Management Office Environmental Administrator’s Office

Requirements Violations of the Regulations Outlined in the Manual Could Result in the Employee & the City Facing Fines and Possible Civil & Criminal Prosecution All Issues of Non-Compliance MUST be Reported ASAP

Regulatory Requirements Brief Overview Key Federal Laws & Regulations: “alphabet soup” OSHA - Occupational Safety & Health Administration Title 29 CFR 1910 & 1926 EPA – Environmental Protection Agency Title 40 CFR RCRA, TSCA, CAA, CWA, CERCLA, SARA, FIFRA DOT – Dept. of Transportation Title 49 CFR

Regulatory Overview RCRA (Wastes) TSCA (Toxics) Solid & Hazardous Wastes Subtitle D - Solid Waste Subtitle C - Hazardous Wastes Subtitle I - Underground Storage Tanks TSCA (Toxics) PCBs Asbestos

Regulatory Overview CAA (Air Quality) CWA (Water Quality) Air permitting Refrigerants Chemical Accident Prevention CWA (Water Quality) Wastewater Permitting Storm water Monitoring of Streams, Rivers, Lakes…

Regulatory Overview CERCLA (Historic Contamination) Superfund Sites Reportable Quantities SARA (Community Right to Know) Emergency Planning FIFRA (Chemical Bio-cides) Pesticides Insecticides

Responsibility Environmental Stewardship & Compliance Expected of All City Employees Responsibility from Top to Bottom of the Organization Office of Environmental Management Regulatory Compliance Assurance Assists Departments in managing their environmental issues

Office of Environmental Management Division within the Department of Public Works Environmental Administrator Duties Incident/Spill Response Advising Departments & Facilities Development of Best Management Practices Approval of Waste Management Practices Regulatory Reporting Training & Educational Support Keeping On Top of Rules & Regulations Obtaining Specialized Environmental Services

Management-Level Responsibilities - Waste Management - Air Management - Water Management Department Managers Supervisors Environmental Site Coordinators Employees Environmental Administrator

Responsibilities Employees Understanding and Using Information Provided to Them in Performing Job Duties that Involve the Management of Wastes, Air Emissions, or Water Impacts Notifying Immediate Supervisors if Unacceptable Practices or Activities are Occurring Asking for Help from the Supervisor or Environmental Site Coordinator if Unsure of Appropriate Action(s)

Training Based on Job Function & Level of Involvement with Hazardous Materials Combination of ‘in-house’ and Contracted Trainers Environmental Administrator Assists Departments with Training Program Development

Waste Water (Sewage) Sanitary Discharges (Waste Water) Don’t dispose of Chemicals in Sinks, Toilets, Washbasins without Approval of EA or WWTP Dilution Water May Not be Added to Liquid Wastes Ask Supervisor if You are Unsure

Storm Water Storm Water Separate from Waste Water (Sewage) Drains to the River No Disposal of Chemicals, Debris, or Other Materials via Storm Drains Eliminate Run-off & Erosion Only Storm Water

Regulatory Reporting Responsibility of the Environmental Administrator (Unless Alternative Arrangements Have Been Made) Oil and Gas 25 Gallon Reporting Threshold Reportable Quantity Document Smaller Spills in Dept’s. Incident Log Book Other Chemicals Know the Reportable Quantity (RQ) for the chemicals you work with Notify Supervisor Upon Discovery Environmental Reporting Line: 853-2425

Engine Idling Policy Do not leave vehicle idling more than 5 minutes Exception: ONLY if it is necessary for the job Why no idling? Wastes gas Increases harmful air emissions Creates carbon build-up in the engine

Reporting Unknown Materials Do Not Attempt to Move the Material Maintain a safe distance! Use the “Thumb Rule” Report (if known) Location Quantity Container Type/Condition Unusual Sights/Odors Environmental Hazards Safety Hazards EA will work with HAZMAT Team to coordinate sampling and proper disposal

Reporting Unknown Materials Immediately Contact Your Supervisor They will then Contact the Environmental Administrator Call 911 FIRST, then notify your Supervisor if: Spill has entered a Storm Water Drain or Stream May Cause a Fire or Explosion Hazard Employees or the Public are in danger Some Other Serious Consequence

Reporting Non-Compliance All Issues of Environmental Non-Compliance Must be Reported to your Department Manager City Employees may also report anonymously using the Environmental Reporting Hotline: 853-1674 (24 hrs.) All reports are taken seriously and will be investigated

Responding to Regulatory Inspections Ask the Inspector(s) for their identification and to please wait in a reception area Contact your Dept. Manager and the Environmental Administrator (24 hr. mobile phone: 537-0499) Dept Manager and EA will meet the Inspector ASAP Environmental Administrator: Notify the City Attorney Document the Inspection Accompany Inspector at All Times Provide verbal and written reports to the Assistant City Manager and Department Manager within 2 days

Audits Each Department Designated in Compliance Manual at Least Every Two Years Environmental Administrator: Coordinates Audits & Designates Audit Team Issues Pre-Audit Questionnaire Reviews Completed Questionnaire Prior to Audit Conducts the Audit & Prepares Audit Report Sets a Schedule for Follow-Up Documents Closure Report to the Assistant City Manager and City Attorney

Environmental Wrap-up Questions or Concerns? Office of Environmental Management Christopher Blakeman Environmental Administrator 853-1173