Consolidated Screening Checklist For Automotive Repair Facilities Guidebook

Environmental Resources

Environmental compliance is a necessary part of your business. Regulations add to the cost of doing business. The management of hazardous wastes generated by your dealership can be an expensive process.

Programs need to be developed for Hazardous Waste Management, Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasures Plan and Storm Water Pollution Prevention. Above and in-ground storage tanks need to be regularly checked for leaks, proper labeling, operating permits and general compliance status.

Best management practices for all waste streams need to be developed and implemented. Management needs to be comfortable with their liability exposure around hazardous material management, transportation and disposal. Remember that the dealership has complete responsibility for all hazardous waste they generate… from cradle to grave.

These programs require tracking systems and accountability. The programs should be maintained, and ongoing training required. All necessary certifications must be in place and able to withstand regulatory scrutiny.

Finally, your facility should be audited regularly by a third party to ensure compliance. In this way, you can rest assured that your dealership is environmentally safe, compliant and can stand up to the unexpected visit from a regulator.

Consolidated Screening Checklist For Automotive Repair Facilities Guidebook

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed the “Consolidated Screening Checklist for Automotive Repair Facilities Guidebook” as a public service to the automotive service and repair industry. EPA’s Office of Compliance, through various meetings with industry representatives, facility owners, and technicians, determined there was a need for compliance assistance to automotive repair shops to help them attain or remain in compliance with applicable federal environmental regulations. The checklist and guidebook highlight important or key environmental requirements as they apply to the various federal environmental programs. This guidebook is an update to the 1997 guidebook. EPA has revised several environmental regulations applicable to the automotive service and repair industry since the last publication, specifically the shallow non-hazardous industrial waste injection wells known as Class V wells and, the applicability of the spill prevention and countermeasures and control program to automotive fueling tanks and used oil storage. The motor vehicle air conditioning is expanded to include retrofitting motor vehicle air conditioning units and the use of alternative refrigerants. Additional environmental requirements are added as reminders should the shop owner plan to expand or build a new facility, or use weed killer, insect spray or restroom cleaners and disinfectants around the shop.

HOW CAN I USE THE CHECKLIST AND GUIDEBOOK?

You can use the checklist and guidebook to evaluate your facility’s compliance with the federal environmental regulations which are applicable to the automotive service and repair industry. If problems with compliance are discovered while completing the checklist, you may want to conduct a more comprehensive self-audit.

Please remember that this checklist and guidebook are a beginning, not the final word, on environmental compliance requirements. While federal environmental requirements are highlighted in the checklist and guidebook, a comprehensive discussion of all requirements is NOT included. In addition to federal requirements, you may be subject to state, tribal, and/or local requirements. You should use this information to build a basic understanding of federal environmental requirements, and then seek additional assistance from various federal, state, tribal, and local agencies.

If you are not sure about your state and/or local environmental requirements, contact your state and local environmental office. These offices can be found in the Blue Pages of your local telephone directory. If you do not know who to contact, you might consider the CCAR-GreenLink® Compliance Assistance Center. CCAR-GreenLink® a service of the Coordinating Committee for Automotive Repair (CCAR®), operated in cooperation with the U.S. EPA. CCAR is an automotive industry organization whose mission is to augment the professionalism of automotive technicians.

There are several ways to reach CCAR-GreenLink®:

CCAR-GreenLink® Toll-Free: 1-888-GRN-LINK (476-5465)

CCAR-GreenLink® Internet Address: https://ccar-greenlink.org

Phone: 1-847-749-4375 (CCAR)

Disclaimer:

The Coordinating Committee For Automotive Repair (CCAR) is providing the information contained in this Consolidated Screening Checklist For Automotive Repair Facilities Guidebook as a public service. CCAR believes that the information is correct and accurate, as of the date posted, and has no reason to believe otherwise.

The information presented relates to environmental programs of the Federal government. State and local laws, regulations, and rulings, may apply in lieu of, or in addition to, the Federal rules, and should be reviewed before taking any action in reliance on this information.

Written Programs & Documentation

Documentation is the centerpiece of a compliant program. Programs need to be written to address specific facility equipment and conditions.

Onsite Audits

Regular facility audits ensure continued environmental compliance. With high turnover rates it’s important to ensure that your programs are consistently implemented. Regularly scheduled third-party audits ensure continued sound management practices and keep you apprised of the latest technology and best management practices for each waste stream.

Employee Training

Employees need to be trained at time of hire, when exposed to new chemicals, and when given new waste management roles and responsibilities. This training needs to be facility and equipment specific.

CCAR provides AutoEHS (automotive environmental, hazardous material, and safety), which are on-demand, e-learning products to train automotive service (mechanical repair) and collision repair (auto body) professionals in key environmental and safety matters. Training resources offered within AutoEHS deals with recordkeeping, written plan and documentation issues. Contact us at (888) 476-5465.

Response to Emergency Situations:

If you have an onsite waste management emergency or an environmental regulator’s visit, are you prepared to handle the situation?