Authorized State Hazardous Waste Program Inspections and Operations Were Impacted During Coronavirus Pandemic

Submitting OIG:

Report Description:

The coronavirus pandemic impacted Resource Conservation and Recovery Act state program operations and resulted in fewer inspections.

Date Issued:

Wednesday, December 1, 2021

Agency Reviewed / Investigated:

Submitting OIG-Specific Report Number:

22-E-0009

Location(s):

Agency-Wide

Type of Report:

Audit

Special Projects:

Questioned Costs:

Funds for Better Use:

Report updated under NDAA 5274:

Additional Details Link:

Recommendation Number	Recommendation Status	Significant Recommendation
22-E-0009_3	Open	No
Review Resource Conservation and Recovery Act information system inspection data entered during the coronavirus pandemic to determine the extent off-site compliance-monitoring activities were incorrectly counted as inspections and correct the inspection data in the system as needed.
22-E-0009_4	Open	No
Work with all EPA regions to determine why the rate of violations per inspection was reduced during the coronavirus pandemic and the inspection rate for large quantity generators was below historical levels from October 2020 through February 2021.
22-E-0009_5	Open	No
Develop policies that define inspection requirements and flexibilities to optimize the capabilities of authorized state programs in future large-scale pandemic or disaster events. These should include mechanisms, consistent with EPA guidance documents, that allow maintenance of normal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act inspection rates while ensuring the safety of enforcement staff.

Recommendation Number

Recommendation Status

Significant Recommendation

Additional Details

22-E-0009_3

Open

22-E-0009_4

Open

22-E-0009_5

Open

Search form