How to Handle Environmental Release Investigations
An environmental mishap at your facility can be a real headache. It opens the door for government snooping, hefty fines, and even lawsuits. But acting quickly and smartly after a leak can help you avoid the worst of it.
You might investigate a spill to figure out what went wrong, clear your name, do the right thing, or protect your company from legal trouble. Whatever the reason, it’s important to do it right. These incidents can cause all sorts of problems, from government crackdowns to bad press. That’s why getting good legal advice based on your findings is crucial.
While you want to act fast, it’s important to know the steps involved. Skipping corners can cause more harm than good. Remember, an environmental release is anything from a tiny spill to dumping a whole bunch of nasty stuff.
Before disaster strikes, write down a plan for how to handle these situations. This should cover when to investigate, how to do it, and who’s in charge. Even with a plan, you might need to make some calls on the fly.
Once something happens, take action right away. A good plan will help everyone from the boss to the newest hire know what to do.
The decisions you make at the start are super important. Take your time to ask the right questions. A written plan will help you stay on track. It should include what happened, why you’re investigating, who’s in charge, and what needs to be done. Share this plan with your team and be ready to make changes as you go.
Talk to your team about the plan, legal stuff, and the next steps. You might want to have team meetings along the way. Before talking to employees, make it clear that you’re representing the company, not them. You might also want to get them their own lawyers if needed.
Gather all the facts and information you can. Talk to people, look at documents, and get expert help if necessary. Decide if you want to keep the investigation private or share the information. If you want to keep it private, you’ll need a lawyer to guide you through the process.
Choosing who leads the investigation is key. You can pick a lawyer who doesn’t usually work for your company, one who does but can stay objective, your in-house lawyer, or an outside expert hired by your lawyer.
Handling these situations is stressful and tough. A good lawyer can help you find the truth while protecting your company. Doing a thorough investigation can help you avoid future problems. Many successful companies investigate environmental issues even when they’re not required to by law.
