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Preparing for tighter enforcement

There are consequences for violating emissions standards and compliance requirements, and these can create many problems for composites manufacturers. Depending on the region and magnitude of the violation, manufacturers could face downtime, lost productivity, cease-and-desist orders, fines and even closure.

The good news is all of these penalties are avoidable. The methods listed below are proven to help manufacturers implement strong HSE compliance practices.

Establish a team to monitor changes. Stay in front of ever-changing emissions standards by creating a team to monitor and manage regulations. If resources do not permit an in-house team, consider working with an outside regulatory consultant who specializes in compliance research and implementation. This is especially important for manufacturers with a global footprint.

Outline and implement specific processes. Create checklists for different regulatory areas, so there’s a process to follow and paperwork to track compliance. To cover the basics, monitor product changes, SDS, supplier practices, onsite VOC generation and shop floor activity.

Partner with your suppliers. Most suppliers are likely to work in a global business setting. Work with supplying partners to monitor and review products used on the shop floor and to tailor products to better suit your needs.

Encourage a safety culture. Employees are your greatest advocates, as they work closely with your processes and products. Provide training and materials to help focus attention on understanding and maintaining regulatory standards, and reward behavior that helps meet HSE goals. Many companies develop sustainability programs to help promote and implement an envi- ronmental mindset.