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

Date Issued

Wednesday, December 1, 2021

Submitting OIG

Environmental Protection Agency OIG

Other Participating OIGs

Environmental Protection Agency OIG

Agencies Reviewed/Investigated

Environmental Protection Agency

Report Number

22-E-0009

Report Description

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

Report Type

Audit

Special Projects

Pandemic

Agency Wide

Yes

Questioned Costs

Funds for Better Use

Open Recommendations

This report has 3 open recommendations.

Recommendation Number	Significant Recommendation	Recommended Questioned Costs	Recommended Funds for Better Use
22-E-0009_3	No	$0	$0
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 countedas inspections and correct the inspection data in the system as needed.
22-E-0009_4	No	$0	$0
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	No	$0	$0
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.