TRAINING & EDUCATION
Training Course Provider Recognition Guidelines

	BACKGROUND
	BEAC RECOGNITION
	NON-MANDATORY RECOGNITION
	CRITERIA FOR BEAC RECOGNITION
	BEAC TRAINING COURSE RECOGNITION PROCEDURES
	AWARD OF BEAC RECOGNITION
	FEES
	ADDITIONAL BENEFITS OF RECOGNITION
	QUALITY ASSURANCE
	MAINTENANCE OF RECOGNITION
	CONFIDENTIALITY
	ANNEX 1 TYPICAL MODULES IN EHS AUDITOR TRAINING COURSES
	ANNEX 2 TYPICAL MODULES IN EMS AUDITOR TRAINING COURSE

BACKGROUND

As part of BEAC's certification process, applicants are required to complete 40 hours of formal training. This training may be internal or external to the applicant's organization. The definition of "relevant training" is sufficiently broad to allow a wide variety of Training Course Providers to offer training services to meet BEAC's certification requirements. In addition to the requirement for 40 hours of formal training within three years prior to application, BEAC requires certified auditors to meet the requirement of 40 hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) over a two-year period. Refresher training may be used by an auditor to meet this requirement, although other forms of professional development are allowed to be used to meet the annual CPD requirement. BEAC has developed a program and procedure to evaluate Training Course Providers to assure applicants for certification that the training course meets BEAC's criteria for formal training and to provide certified auditors a source of quality training options for continuing education requirements. This document describes the procedures required to obtain BEAC recognition for Training Course Providers.

BEAC RECOGNITION

It is intended that BEAC's evaluation of a training course provider would result only in "recognition" that the training course and provider meet BEAC's criteria. It is not intended to be an "accreditation", "sponsorship" or "approval" of a training course or training course provider. BEAC cannot be responsible to ensure that training courses are conducted properly, only that the course meets BEAC requirements with respect to issues such as course content, instructor qualifications and course training materials. BEAC shall not offer recommendations on which training course provider applicants should use.

NON-MANDATORY RECOGNITION

It is not mandatory that applicants or certified auditors receive training from BEAC-recognized training programs, and it is not mandatory that Training Course Providers receive BEAC recognition. This program is to provide a procedure for Training Course Providers who wish to receive recognition from BEAC and a mechanism to provide applicants or certified auditors who wish to receive BEAC-recognized training courses with a list of training courses recognized by BEAC. As Training Course Providers are recognized by BEAC, a master list will be updated and available to interested parties.

CRITERIA FOR BEAC RECOGNITION

1. Course Instructors
   
   The primary instructors for the training course shall have an Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) or Environmental Management System (EMS) auditing certification from BEAC, RAB or any other national or international auditor certification body.
   
   The primary instructors should have a minimum of 160 contact hours of EHS or EMS audit training experience as a primary instructor for courses of at least 16 hours duration each.
   
   Training Course Providers who are full-time professors at universities and who regularly instruct students on EHS or EMS auditor training topics identified in Annex 1 and 2 will meet BEAC's course instructor criteria.
   
   
2. Course Contents
   
   The course content of training courses recognized by BEAC shall include any combination of modules on the attached list of auditor training modules. See Annex 1 and 2.
   
   Course materials shall include a course syllabus, course schedule, clearly identified training objectives and outcomes, training materials, and handouts or a reference text on EHS or EMS auditing to help participants understand the relevant concepts and principles and practices of auditing.
   
   The training course shall use a variety of training techniques to enhance the learning experience of the course participants. Training techniques may include any combination of classroom lectures, use of slides, video, team exercises, role playing exercises and field exercises.
   
   The training course shall provide participants with documentation of successful course completion. Such documentation may include course grades on a university transcript or Certificates with Continuing Education Units (CEU). The number of academic credits or hours of training completed should be specified on the course completion documentation.
   
   The training course shall be conducted in an organized, professional manner in a learning environment that is conducive to providing a quality training experience for all participants.

BEAC TRAINING COURSE RECOGNITION PROCEDURES

Training Course Providers who wish to obtain recognition of their programs from BEAC must complete the BEAC Recognition of Training Course Provider Application and provide the following:

1. Resumes of the primary course instructors highlighting their experience as EHS or EMS auditors and as instructors of the course material for which an application is being submitted.
   
   
2. An agenda of the training course that specifies the specific modules to be included in the training course and the learning objectives of each module on the course agenda.
   
   
3. One copy of all course training materials to be used by the course participants.
   
   
4. Information on the dates and locations where the training course has been held in the last 24 months.

These materials should be submitted to:

BEAC
247 Maitland Avenue
Altamonte Springs, FL 32701-4201

AWARD OF BEAC RECOGNITION

BEAC will make one of two decisions based on review of the submitted materials.

1. Recognition; or
2. No Recognition

   Recognition

   After review of the materials submitted to BEAC, BEAC recognition will be awarded to the Training Course Provider if it is determined that the materials provide sufficient and compelling evidence that the training course and Training Course Provider meet BEAC's criteria for recognition. BEAC recognition may be obtained for individual training modules or for all training modules included on Annex 1 and 2. Applicants should indicate clearly on the application form which training modules are being submitted for evaluation for BEAC recognition.

   No Recognition

   BEAC recognition will not be awarded if it is determined, after review of the submitted materials, that the training course does not meet BEAC's criteria. In this case, the training course provider will be given a list of deficiencies which have resulted in the decision not to award recognition. The Training Course Provider is eligible to resubmit the materials to BEAC after the deficiencies have been addressed. If the deficiencies are addressed and the resubmission of materials takes place within one year from the original application date, no additional application fee will be required. Should the materials be resubmitted after one year from the original application date, an application fee of $500 will be required.

FEES

Training Course Providers must include appropriate payment with their applications and the training materials submitted for BEAC's review. This application fee is non-refundable and covers the cost of processing and reviewing the training course materials necessary for award of BEAC recognition. All application fees are $500 with an annual renewal fee of $250.

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS OF RECOGNITION

BEAC-recognized training providers will receive a complimentary listing on BEAC's Official List of Recognized Training Course Providers that will be made available to any BEAC member or other individual upon request.

BEAC will maintain a listing of BEAC-recognized training providers on its website. Training providers recognized by BEAC will receive a complimentary listing on the BEAC website with a link to the training provider's home page.

BEAC may offer additional special incentives or advertising discounts to BEAC-recognized training providers at its discretion.

BEAC will provide an official BEAC-recognized logo in computer file format which recognized Training Course Providers may use in their marketing and advertising materials to denote and promote their official status as a BEAC-recognized training provider. Recognized training providers may use the official BEAC-recognized logo at their discretion but may not use the BEAC organization's logo or make any other reference to BEAC in any promotional materials without the express written permission of BEAC.

BEAC-recognized training providers may work with BEAC to offer one of the specialty Certified Professional Environmental Auditor examinations in conjunction with their training seminars or a special event. Such examination offerings will be conducted in accordance with BEAC's official examination procedures and will include examination administration by a BEAC-approved proctor. BEAC may set requirements on the minimum number of examinees required to arrange such special examination offerings. Taking the training course will not be required for examinees, nor will taking the BEAC certification exam be required of course participants.

QUALITY ASSURANCE

BEAC reserves the right to evaluate training providers in the manner it deems appropriate to determine compliance with the requirements set forth in these guidelines and may even choose to conduct an in-person training course evaluation in which case the training course fee for BEAC representative will be waived. The training course provider shall submit to BEAC copies of all course evaluations from the course participants within 30 days of all course completion dates.

MAINTENANCE OF RECOGNITION

All BEAC-recognized Training Course Providers must submit an Annual Reporting Statement form to BEAC to serve as a signed statement that all applicable BEAC guidelines are being met and to report any changes regarding course instructors, course content or training materials. This Statement shall be submitted with the $250 annual renewal fee.

CONFIDENTIALITY

The training materials submitted by the training course provider to BEAC for use in the evaluation will not be copied or distributed to any party outside of BEAC's Training and Education Committee. The application and all original supporting materials will be maintained indefinitely in a confidential file in the BEAC headquarters for the sole purpose of this recognition process. BEAC acknowledges that the training provider reserves any and all rights to the materials, and BEAC will not reproduce or transmit the materials in any form by any means without prior written permission of the training provider.

ANNEX 1

TYPICAL MODULES FOR EHS AUDITOR TRAINING COURSES:

1. Ethics and Standards of Conduct for Auditors
   Obligations that auditors bear for the exercise of honesty, objectivity and diligence in the performance of their duties. Key topics include:
   *Conflict of interest
   *Independence and objectivity of auditors
   *Due professional care
   *Material facts and disclosures
   *Auditor proficiency
   
   
2. Audit Program Design and Management
   Key elements in the design and implementation of EHS auditor programs such as:
   *Audit program objectives and scope
   *Audit program implementation
   *Protocols, checklists and guides
   *Frequency of auditors and selection of sites
   *Quality assurance provisions
   *Auditor staffing and training
   *Protection of the confidentiality of findings
   *Communicating audit results
   
   
3. Conducting Audit Engagements
   Knowledge related to the following key audit activities sufficient to carry out an assigned role independently in a specific audit engagement.
   
   A. Pre-Audit Activities
   Activities associated with preparing to conduct an EHS audit including:
   *Site information review
   *Pre-visit facility contact
   *Preparation of the audit plan
   *Team selection and coordination
   *Selection of audit criteria
   
   B. On-Site Activities
   Activities typically conducted at the facility audited including:
   *Understanding management systems
   *Developing/implementing verification strategies and testing plans
   *Interviewing
   *Documentation review
   *Visual observation
   *Evaluating audit evidence
   
   C. Post-Audit Activities
   Activities that typically occur after the auditors have concluded their work at the audit site such as:
   *Documenting audit findings and recommendations
   *Preparing corrective action plans
   
   
4. Internal Controls
   Systems and controls in place at audited facilities to ensure compliance with regulatory criteria. Typical controls include:
   *Identification of applicable compliance areas
   *Responsibility/accountability for compliance
   *Training/competence of personnel
   *Availability of formal procedures for compliance
   *Quality assurance procedures
   
   
5. Regulatory Aspects
   Key elements of the EHS regulatory process impacting audited facilities such as:
   *Process of development of EHS laws and regulations
   *Federal, state and local roles in EHS regulations
   *The basic objectives of major EHS statutes
   *Enforceable procedures employed by regulatory agencies
   
   
6. Process Operations, EHS Impacts and Related Pollution Control Technologies
   Environmental impacts and compliance issues typically associated with common process and manufacturing operations and generic pollution control technologies typically used to control EHS impacts. Some areas of required knowledge are:
   *Typical waste streams and pollutants generated by manufacturing and process operations
   *General concepts of operation of pollution control devices
   *Monitoring approaches appropriate to waste streams
   *Pollution control technology typically used
   
   
7. Environmental Specific Regulatory Knowledge
   *Water pollution control
   *Air pollution control
   *Solid and hazardous waste
   *Drinking water
   *Spill prevention and control
   *Underground storage tanks
   *Control of hazardous materials
   *PCB management
   *Chemical reporting
   
   
8. Health and Safety Specific Regulatory Knowledge
   *Hazardous work and controls
   *Elevated work
   *Hazard communications and identification
   *Work in hazardous environments
   *Incident investigation
   *Toxic/hazardous substances and controls
   *Electrical safety
   *Machine guarding
   *Physical agents
   *Responding to emergencies
   *Medical
   *Hazardous materials management
   *Indoor air quality
   *Transportation
   *Powered equipment
   *Fire protection
   *Contractor management
   *Health and safety management systems and programs
   *Special industries
   
   
9. EHS Auditing Standards and Practices
   *BEAC Standards for the Professional Practice of EHS Auditing
   *ASTM Standard Practice for Conducting Environmental Compliance Audits
   *EPA auditing policy statement
   *Other standards and practices

ANNEX 2

TYPICAL MODULES IN EMS AUDITOR TRAINING COURSE

1. Auditing Requirements
   *EHS Accreditation Bodies
   *Auditor Qualifications to International Standards
   *Requirements for an EHS audit to be performed (including documentation, resources, auditee co-operation)
   *Concepts of client and auditee roles and responsibilities in auditing - lead auditor, auditor, technical expert, client, audit team, auditee
   *Professional ethics in EHS auditing
   *Code of Ethics, distinctions between auditing and consulting services, conflict of interest
   
   
2. EHS Auditor Personal Attributes and Skills:
   *EHS auditing skills including: interviewing, verifying, sampling, report writing, oral and written expression, listening, tact and diplomacy, language tips, personal organization, judgement, sensitivity to local culture and conventions
   *Performance through verbal and physical behavior;
   Verbal: questions, paraphrasing;
   Physical: eye contact, etc.;
   Presentations
   *Due professional care and confidentiality
   
   
3. Audit Procedures, Processes and Techniques
   *Definitions of EHS auditing
   *Knowledge and understanding of EMS audit principles
   *Ability to plan - prepare audit documentation (audit plan, checklists, findings report, audit report), conduct and mange the audit process, including:
   Initiating the audit;
   Preparing for the audit;
   Conducting the audit;
   Reporting the audit results;
   Audit completion
   *Audit evidence, sampling, reliability of audit findings, non-conformances and conclusions
   *Comparison of non-compliance vs. non-conformance
   
   
4. Environmental Management Systems Model - ISO 14001 Standards (overview)
   *Driving forces for and benefits for conducting environmental audits, how EMS evolved
   *Knowledge and understanding of generic EMS objectives and principles of policies, procedures, practices and controls:
   *Knowledge and understanding of the elements of typical management system standards (e.g. ISO 14001) including
   Policy;
   Objective/targets (environmental performance evaluations and indicators (ISO 14031)
   Planning;
   Implementation and operations;
   Documentation;
   Monitoring and measurement;
   Checking and corrective action;
   Internal auditing;
   Management review for continual improvement and prevention of pollution
   *Characteristics of internal and external auditing
   *Other types of management and operational systems and their relationship with EMS
   *Registration or self-declaration to ISO 14001
   *Registration Preparation - Choosing a registrar, applying for registration
   *Steps in registration procedure
   
   NOTE: This module primarily focuses on auditing of ISO 14001 Standards and will satisfy BEAC requirements. However, it should be emphasized that participants in an EMS auditing course should have had detailed training on the elements of the ISO 14001 Standards as a pre-requisite.
   
   
5. Technical and EHS Aspects of Facility Operations
   *Knowledge of aspects and impacts of activities, products and services;
   *Knowledge and understanding of methods and techniques for identifying and evaluating significance;
   *Awareness of relevant operational processes in practice;
   *Knowledge of the human interactions with operational processes that have potential to create environmental impacts;
   *Awareness of life-cycle management;
   *Awareness of monitoring and measuring techniques for environmental parameters
   
6. Relevant Requirements of EHS Laws, Regulations and Other Related Documents
   *Awareness of international treaties and agreements;
   *Knowledge of relevant national, regional, and local requirements, including:
   Laws and regulations;
   Standards;
   Knowledge of relevant legal terminology;
   Knowledge of other related documents: codes and guidelines, permits, certifications of approvals, contracts
   
7. OSHAS 18001
8. Process Safety Management