Technical Guidance Document for Environmental Audit Reports

Technical Guidance Document for Environmental Audit Report2.1 Audit Scope, Objectives, and CriteriaThis section should describe the audit objectives, scope, and criteria used for the audit. Thissection would indicate the scope of the audit (e.g., if the audit covered the full developmentproject or facility, covered all environmental media or components, or was specificallytargeted to an issue or physical area of concern). The criteria on which the audit is basedshould be itemised and clearly identified (e.g., an EIA, CEMP, OEMP, construction permit,operating permit) with titles and dates. This section should also indicate if there have beenchanges in requirements applicable to the facility or project since the last audit or if therewere specific issues from former audits that would be considered.The typical scope items that should be described in the EAR for all projects and facilitiesinclude documentation and records, training, monitoring programmes and results, internalaudits and inspections, incidents and complaints, and audit activities. The specific informationthat should be included for those items is discussed below.Documentation and RecordsThe EAR should provide comments on the documentation and control of records,including CEMP and OEMP documents, permits, training records, environmentalprogramme plans and procedures, audit and inspection reports, and other records.TrainingThe EAR should describe and provide comments on the environmental trainingprogrammes that are being implemented in accordance with CEMP or OEMPrequirements.Monitoring Programmes and ResultsThe EAR should identify monitoring programmes that are being implemented on theproject and provide comment on whether monitoring is being performed inaccordance with CEMP or OEMP requirements.Internal Audits and InspectionsThe EAR should provide comment on the internal audit and inspection programmesthat are being implemented to meet regulatory requirements.Incidents and ComplaintsThe EAR should provide comment on the procedures followed for responding toincidents and/or complaints and include a description of any follow up on specificcomplaints or emergency response incidents.Audit ActivitiesAudit activities include descriptions of audit interviewees and the timing and auditmethodologies used. This section would also include comments on the site conditionsduring the time of the audit, highlight any adverse conditions or unusual observationsmade, and identify areas of the site visited. The audit activities should focus onimplementation of the environmental programmes, procedures, and measuresidentified in the CEMP or OEMP. The typical environmental programmes or plansthat would be evaluated in the audit and discussed in the EAR are as follows:Air Quality Control PlanWater Quality Control PlanWaste Management PlanDocument Tracking Number: 03.02.377.WP.03Date of Issue: 6Jan115