ENVIORNMENTAL SERVICES

Do you manage a warehouse, laboratory, hospital, school, medical facility, factory, or operation that uses small containers (usually less than 10 gallons each) of chemicals including: Solvents Reagents Paints Thinners Dyes Inks Acids Bases Cleaners Strippers Pool Chemicals Dry Cleaning Compounds Or Other Hazardous Chemicals Over time, you will find that bottles, jars, cans and various containers have accumulated that are out-of-date, contaminated, partially used, leaking, or simply no longer needed.

Do you manage a warehouse, laboratory, hospital, school, medical facility, factory, or operation that uses small containers (usually less than 10 gallons each) of chemicals including: Solvents Acids Bases Reagents Paints Thinners Dyes Inks Cleaners Strippers Pool Chemicals Dry cleaning compounds Or other hazardous chemicals Over time, you will find that bottles, jars, cans and various containers have accumulated that are out-of-date, contaminated, partially used, leaking, or simply no longer needed.

SEA, Inc. offers a full range of IMDS services, including data research, collection, entry, and QA/QC; product/component review; turnkey administration; parts data management (PDM) systems analysis; IMDS strategic planning; and communication & training programmes. Level 1: Data Entry Designed to load IMDS for your simple parts. Level 2: Data Research/Data Entry Designed to load IMDS for your more complex parts… Level 3: Turnkey IMDS Management Designed to administer and manage your IMDS programme in full. Level 4: Systems & Strategy Designed to integrate IMDS into your existing information systems… and utilize its full power.

The International Environmental Management (EMS) Standard, is increasingly being seen as a strategic business requirement by a growing number of organizations of all shapes and sizes. This has mainly been in response to pressure from key customers demanding that their suppliers conform to ISO 14001. SEA has developed a unique system that can reach EMS registration (certification) to ISO 14001 without being an expensive, complicated and time-consuming process. SEA Implementation Plan for ISO 14001 has been proven on several clients nationwide. SEA Implementation Program include the following services: SO14000 Executive Management Briefings: SEA conducts briefings, which provide an in-depth review of the ISO 14001 requirements, the potential benefits of registration and the legal/regulatory impacts of pursuing registration. Selecting Environmental Performance Indicators for ISO 14001: Selection of appropriate environmental performance indicators is key to becoming ISO 14001 registered. SEA provides consulting assistance and in-house workshops to assist in reviewing your environmental aspects, setting environmental objectives, selecting performance indicators, establishing matrixes and measurement procedures. > ISO 14000 Baseline Audit and Gap Analysis: SEA conducts a baseline audit and/or gap analysis to compare your current environmental management system against the ISO 14001 requirements to determine where your system conforms to the standard as well as those areas where changes are needed. > ISO 14001 Registration Assistance: Consulting assistance provided on an as-needed basis to ensure your ISO 14000-registration process stays on track. SEA works with wide variety of clients allowing us to provide a third party, total system perspective and technical solutions you may not have considered. > ISO 14001 Pre-Registration Audit: SEA’s ISO 14000 certified Lead Auditors will conduct a pre-registration audit to insure that your company is ready for registration. > ISO 14001 Post-Registration Audit: SEA’s ISO 14000 certified Lead Auditors will conduct a post-registration audit to insure that your company is maintaining the provision.

The overall idea behind green manufacturing is to encourage businesses and manufacturing plants to implement environmentally-friendly practices. Throughout the country, state agencies are taking active steps to promote pollution and waste reducing industrial practices. Not only does the environment benefit from green manufacturing, but by implementing eco-friendly policies, businesses and area communities are positively impacted as well. 1. Green Manufacturing Reduces Costs and Increases Productivity in the Long Run Green manufacturing processes are often more cost-effective than traditional manufacturing processes. For example, an energy efficient piece of equipment that has replaced the gearboxes with direct-drive motor technology can improve operating efficiency from 60 to 90% on average. Implementing similar “green” mechanics may be more expensive initially, but can significantly lower production costs and save businesses money in the long run. In addition to lowering production costs, more efficient practices mean increased productivity, which often results in quicker turnaround times and product fulfillment. 2. Green Manufacturing is Healthier for Employees How can improving manufacturing processes improve the health of employees? Consider the effects of equipment running on alternative or “clean” energy rather than gasoline. This equipment will produce significantly less carbon monoxide (none if switching to electricity) reducing, and in some cases eliminating health hazards of working equipment that is running idly. Green workplace environments are not only good for employees physically, but can also increase company morale. A 2009 study conducted at the University of Central Florida revealed that today’s generation of employees is more critical of green practices in the workplace. If strategically developed and implemented, green practices can increase employee motivation and engagement. Employees who care about the environment and work at an eco-friendly organization are ultimately healthier, happier contributors to the company’s success. 3. Green Manufacturing in Arkansas Helps Take Care of the Environment Of course, a major reason for businesses to incorporate green manufacturing practices is sustainability and environmental protection. Manufacturing by-products and facility waste have a tremendous impact on surrounding communities, but the eco-friendly steps that are implemented can reduce a company’s carbon footprint and help make a positive, lasting change on the world. The state of Arkansas, my home state, actively promotes green energy initiatives. The Arkansas Economic Development Commission’s Energy Office manages the federal energy funds of the state and promotes efficiency by offering informational programs to the public. Through this office, business owners, residential consumers and contractors can keep up-to-date on the latest energy saving initiatives and incentives offered at the state and federal level Start the Process Today Are you ready to take the next step toward green manufacturing? SEA’s EHS Management Systems offers environmental consulting services and site management for sustainability and green manufacturing. Contact an SEA expert today to assist your company in reducing costs, increasing productivity, and taking care of our planet for future generations.

New changes to the Clean Water Act reporting requirements will affect many businesses throughout the nation. It is important to understand how these changes will affect you and your company to ensure that you remain compliant with EPA standards. The EPA’s proposed changes to Clean Water Act reporting requirements require those firms still submitting paper-based NPDES reports to convert to electronic reporting. According to the Agency, the switch will improve compliance with Clean Water Act specifications as well as facilitate improved protection of U.S. waters. However, for those businesses and industries that are accustomed to filing written reports, the switch to electronic reporting will necessitate costly system changes. SEA Inc., a Little Rock-based environmental health and safety service company, makes it easy and economical to comply with EPA regulations. SEA provides complete environmental services, including planning, training and automated reporting. Benefits of the Proposed New Clean Water Act Reporting Requirements A total of 46 states have EPA authorization to administer the NPDES – National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System. Once reporting is completely digitized, community members will be able to look up information on discharges by local industries and facilities that impact regional environmental health. EPA projects that the proposed e-reporting rule will save a significant amount of money since it will eliminate the need for government workers to manually enter the data that they receive in written form. Instead, NPDES participants will submit it directly into the system. This will also ensure that this information becomes available more quickly to the public. While these improvements are beneficial, a change in reporting methods will represent difficulties for those municipal systems, industries and other facilities working within the NPDES framework. The rule would become effective one year after it becomes final, providing a relatively small window for participants to comply with new Clean Water Act reporting requirements. Advanced planning is critical, and SEA is a leading environmental service provider with the specialized knowledge to help organizations plan for and complete the conversion as smoothly as possible. Planning and Training for the Proposed Changes Although EPA is already planning webinars to help bring NPDES organizations up to speed with the new rule, the experts at SEA believe that hands-on training offers a far better option for those NPDES-permitted municipalities, businesses and industries that must make changes to meet the new reporting requirements. That is why SEA offers comprehensive training, planning and consulting, not only for NPDES compliance but for such programs as Hazardous Waste Management, RCRA Compliance, DOT, SPCC, and Hazardous Materials Management as well. SEA training instructors have updated industry knowledge and the ability to convey that information in an understandable format to managers and workers who deal with the handling and disposal of hazardous materials or industrial waste. SEA Services Make Compliance Simple SEA also provides full e-reporting services to organizations that lack the appropriate infrastructure to effectively convert from paper-based communications to the new proposed Clean Water Act reporting requirements. Because failure to comply with NPDES requirements may result in significant penalties, entrusting SEA’s integrated environmental reporting services to effectively meet state and federal requirements is the logical choice. See a full list of OSHA, EPA, and other regulatory standard training courses offered here at SEA Inc.

Comprehensive assistance for companies in managing ISO 14001 registration requirements and creating comprehensive environmental management systems. The International Organization for Standardization, more commonly referred to as the ISO, establishes standards for a wide range of industrial processes and products and for corporate activities. These standards provide valuable conformity for consumer products and offer guidance for companies in implementing new policies and procedures. The ISO 14001 standard focuses on environmental management systems in the workplace environment and offers valuable advice for companies in creating and implementing policies related to environmental performance and control. The SEA Implementation Program offered by SEA Inc., can provide comprehensive assistance for companies in managing ISO 14001 registration requirements and creating comprehensive environmental management systems for the corporate workspace. Increasing demand for ISO 14001 compliance According to the ISO, registrations for ISO 14001 standards increased by six percent between 2010 and 2011. This increasing level of registration may be due in part to a higher degree of consumer and corporate environmental awareness; green-friendly companies are more likely to achieve positive customer service ratings and added business in the modern marketplace. Reducing the environmental impact of corporate activities is an important goal for many shareholders; as a result, ISO 14001 registration can be a valuable tool in establishing green-friendly credentials and in reducing energy costs for modern businesses. An overview of ISO 14001 Although ISO does not dictate specific requirements for ISO 14001 registrations, it does outline the steps most companies must complete to create and implement an environmental management policy for their workplaces. In general, these ISO guidelines fall into four primary categories: Compliance with applicable laws and regulations Proactive efforts to prevent pollution and to reduce the use of energy within the workplace environment Ongoing efforts to adjust, improve and increase the efficiency of the policy in decreasing the company’s environmental impact Independent third-party analysis and auditing of the policy to ensure its effectiveness The SEA Implementation Program can provide expert help for companies throughout the planning and implementation process for ISO 14001 compliance. The SEA Implementation Program process SEA Inc., provides an innovative new way to approach ISO 14001 registration. By streamlining the planning and implementation process, the SEA Implementation Program provides companies with continual feedback on their progress toward registration and the effectiveness of their environmental management plan. The SEA Implementation Program includes the following stages and steps: > A comprehensive ISO 14001 baseline audit that identifies the strong points in environmental management as well as any areas where improvements can be achieved > Consulting services that provide an objective view on the policy’s successes and shortcomings and that identify possible solutions for various issues and technical difficulties > Expert auditing services before the registration to ensure the most positive results possible > Post-registration auditing services designed to promote continuing compliance< /li> ISO 14001 registration assessments must be performed by a qualified third-party auditing firm. These independent auditors will evaluate the environmental management plan and assess its effectiveness within the workplace using the same criteria employed by the SEA Environmental team. This increases the likelihood of successful registration and ensures the most productive use of corporate resources in achieving this valuable professional credential. The added visibility and credibility of ISO 14001 registration can boost your corporate reputation in the competitive marketplace. Additionally, the cost savings of reduced energy consumption and lower waste management expenses can add up to greater profitability. Contact SEA today to put the power of this valuable corporate credential to work for your company.