Beyond your legal duty and the comfort of knowing you are in compliance with state and federal regulations, there are many benefits of maintaining a compliant spill prevention, control, and countermeasure (SPCC) plan. These sometimes unforeseen benefits were discussed at the recent BLR audio conference, SPCC Plans: How to Effectively Prepare for EPA's Final Rule to Avoid Operational and Legal Troubles.
- It can cut costs. As in most businesses, by running a tight ship you'll easily recognize places where you can cut costs. A comprehensive SPCC plan may uncover inefficiencies or issues, such as excess oil, that can easily be corrected to reduce overhead costs.
- You could get discounts. Insurance companies are more inclined to give lower rates to clients that are in full compliance with environmental laws. Similar to your personal auto coverage, your rates are much lower if you've never had an accident than after you've experienced two or three. Ask your insurer if they offer discounts for going beyond SPCC compliance. You could save your company a lot of money.
- It's great PR. Not only do you gain bragging rights with your public that your company is making great efforts to prevent a spill in their backyard, but it also builds employee trust and morale. The speakers explained that responsible employers breed happy and, therefore, more productive employees.
- You'll stay off EPA's violators list. EPA won't have a reason to visit your facility if you are staying compliant with the law. This is a major benefit that is very often overlooked. The speakers reminded us of that old saying "If you've caught fish in this fishing hole before, you'll always go back there first." This is true with EPA inspections. Previous offenders are usually at the top of the inspection list, and so by staying compliant, you've greatly reduced your chances of an inspection.
For more information on the SPCC audio conference, click here.