While you may consider that your business is well operated and has little or no environmental impact, studies have shown that even well run operations can pose risks to the environment and their staff. This can be a significant liability for you and your business.
Recent changes (MfE) to the Resource Management Act have increased the potential fines for your business to $600,000, and for individuals to $300,000 and up to two years in prison. If you have an incident that involves a hazardous substance and injures someone you could also be liable for prosecution under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act and the Health and Safety in Employment Act. Fines under these could total up to $1,000,000.
Patterson Environmental can undertake an assessment of your site and identify potential environmental risks. Recommendations are then made on how to reduce these actual and potential liabilities. Experience has shown that these risks tend to include:
inadequate hazardous substance storage or secondary containment
lack of spill kits or spill stations
no spill procedures (we can produce a specific procedure for your site)
poor housekeeping practices
poor staff awareness of environmental issues and concerns
Patterson Environmental can work with your staff to raise awareness of their liabilities and train them on how to manage small spills.
