Hayward Environmental Consulting

Whenever companies in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, need a helping hand with their hazardous materials management, they go to the region’s most reputable environmental consulting firm—Hayward Environmental Consulting (HEC).

A specialist in environmental compliance and hazardous materials management, HEC is focused on establishing simplification, education, and sustainability around hazardous materials (HAZMAT) remediation.

"The language employed in discussions surrounding environmental regulation tends to be overly technical, complicating the process of decoding governmental regulations and requirements,” says Robert Hayward, president of HEC.

As vital liaisons with regulatory agencies, HEC helps clients simplify and navigate the regulations and align with stringent requirements stipulated by local jurisdictions and governmental entities. It adopts a dual-pronged strategy to demystify hazardous waste management for clients, saving them money and assisting them in realizing their sustainability objectives.

The in-person and online training sessions offered by HEC cover essential topics like hazardous materials awareness and compliance with regulations from governmental bodies such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Department of Transportation.

The second facet of the HEC’s approach involves consulting services. It manages waste programs for its clients, effectively serving as an intermediary between businesses and regulatory agencies like the local fire department and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

HEC aids clients in adhering to CalEPA’s California Electronic Reporting Services (CERS) program, particularly given its California base and the concentration of clients in the region. As SERS mandates that all regulated businesses electronically report crucial program information, including facility data related to hazardous materials, HEC helps clients upload this data and develop compliance training plans.

The proactive approach to client assistance is shown in a recent illustrative case, when a California-based company incurred a $50,000 fine due to a citation resulting from an inspection. The inspection had uncovered improper disposal of hazmat-soaked rags in a dumpster by some of the company's workers. In response, the company engaged HEC to train the workers on identifying materials that should not be discarded in regular garbage. HEC not only helped raise awareness among the staff, but also negotiated with the local fire department and reduced the fine to $5,000.

The informal and amiable conversations during the engagemen t help HEC understand the business more intimately and recognize the exact requirements. It also analyses inspection documents to formulate strategies that align with the client's objectives, which typically involve achieving compliance with environmental regulations and mitigating penalties stemming from initial non-compliance.

HEC’s services are especially beneficial for clients that have accrued hazardous materials over several years due to cost constraints preventing immediate disposal upon generation. Upon inspection by regulators, these companies are invariably instructed to dispose of the waste promptly. In many instances, hazardous materials may have accumulated at a client's facility for over a decade, possibly transitioning through management changes. As the current leadership may lack insight into the nature of the waste, HEC employs field chemistry assessments to accurately identify and classify the materials. It then removes the waste as per legal requirements.

Whether a client possesses knowledge about the hazardous waste they are dealing with or requires assistance in its identification, HEC undertakes the task of disposal at the most reasonable cost available. For instance, the company meticulously evaluates contractors hired for hazmat removal, ensuring they charge equitable and fair rates.

Hazardous waste management regulations in the U.S. are inherently complex and continually evolving. HEC provides a valuable service by deciphering the legalese and assisting companies in adapting to these changes, offering peace of mind and budgetary protection to its clients.