Why Your LDAR Compliance Program Needs an Audit

Leak detection and repair (LDAR) programs are growing in scope and complexity as separate areas of environmental compliance are increasingly regulated by federal, state, and local authorities. Stricter, more complex regulations and large amounts of data and recordkeeping required for LDAR programs warrant robust quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC).

QA/QC audits in LDAR include routine inspections of records, data, and activities. As an award-winning provider of these critical evaluations, APTIM provides clients with regulatory expertise needed to comply and highlights opportunities for further training and increased efficiencies.

What Value Does QA/QC Offer LDAR Programs?

Knowing the measurable benefits of QA/QC to your LDAR program can help you optimize the size and frequency of your auditing program. It is intuitive that refined QA/QC measures help contractors keep a close eye on their programs and maintain strict control over employees. Besides serving as an intrinsic accountability measure, well-planned QA/QC programs can significantly impact multiple areas of client interest. Below are some of the most important values QA/QC audits have to offer:

What Do QA/QC Audits Look Like?

There are two types of audits— both of which have an important role in the compliance of a quality LDAR program.

• Internal audits are self-checks completed by the existing contractor performing the routine work.
• Third-party audits are done by an experienced company not currently providing any related services, more akin to what we typically think of as an “audit.”

On a daily basis, all LDAR programs should be looking at calibration accuracy, current calibration gas certificates, agreement between monitoring details and activities performed, monitoring accuracy, and field updates as a baseline.

Periodic reviews should also incorporate LDAR technician observations, field reviews, recordkeeping or database reviews, maintenance activities, repair activities, and agreement between component changes in the database and the field.

How Can New Technologies Enhance QA/QC?

The availability of new technologies has expanded our ability to conduct a more in-depth analysis of results to improve accuracy and accountability. Leveraging these tools, we are now able to prompt more real-time, specific data queries to quickly identify gaps or anomalies for further review.

Artificial Intelligence

Using artificial intelligence and related technologies, we can design custom scripts that isolate data parameters with an increased statistical probability of needing attention. This helps catch mistakes and make timely corrections prior to compliance concerns.

GPS

GPS has also become more ubiquitous as an audit tool. From mapping out monitoring routes to geolocating company vehicles, we can defend the quality of our work and identify problems with more confidence than ever before. Implementing good systems and processes and relying on these advancements allows us to conduct detailed audits more frequently. With greater audit frequency comes more reliable compliance.

How Can APTIM Support Your Compliance?

Audits are not one size fits all. Each LDAR program presents unique challenges, but frequent, intentional, and well-designed reviews are universally beneficial. Whether a facility requires QA/QC activities or not, doing the right thing will always result in better, safer, more cost-efficient programs in which both the client and contractor can feel confident in their compliance.

Learn more about how APTIM can support your LDAR program’s QA/QC and environmental compliance.