Complete Story
09/09/2020
Ohio EPA Virtual Site Visits
Source: Ohio EPA, June 2020. Provided by Gary Jones, PRINTING United Alliance, September 2, 2020
Part of Ohio EPA’s core mission is to ensure compliance with environmental laws and regulations. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been effectively working with virtual tools and technology.
As we optimize our use of various technology tools, the Agency is now exploring opportunities to use these tools in the field through virtual site visits (VSV). In the near term, our ability to expand our field presence with these tools will allow us to continue collecting important information from our regulated entities while also protecting against the potential spread of COVID-19. In the longerterm, adding the use of virtual tools to the Agency’s compliance toolkit, both from a compliance inspection and assistance standpoint, can help us reach even more facilities because of the efficiencies gained in reducing travel time, etc.
The Agency will pilot the use of VSVs for select categories of inspections (routine, single program, initial screening, non-enforcement related). We will be asking you to complete a survey after the VSV to help assess the effectiveness and improve the process.
The process itself will be very much like our normal inspection process.
Opening Meeting
The first step in the process will be a pre-meeting conducted by Ohio EPA by phone/video conference. We will discuss all logistics to ensure a successful VSV. The actual inspection will be accomplished virtually, using a live streaming application in combination with photographs.
Virtual Facility Walk-Through
During the VSV, you will walk the inspector through portions of the facility to identify all areas that would normally be evaluated on site. This type of evaluation will allow for a compliance/complaint evaluation inspection to occur without our inspectors entering your facility.
The use of virtual tools is not a substitute for the important in-person interactions needed during inspections and other field work and for effective engagement and outreach. However, the Agency is optimistic about the potential for expanding the use of these tools where they can be effective.
