Over the next 18 months, DEQ will experience a significant shift in personnel: five veteran Air Inspectors, collectively holding over 200+ years of experience, are set to retire. These inspectors have been key figures in shaping DEQ’s inspection practices and interpreting complex regulatory requirements across the state.
Why This Matters to You
With this wave of retirements, there’s a strong likelihood that your facility may be inspected by a new DEQ inspector with less than a year of field experience. It could impact the inspection process in several ways:
- Differences in Interpretation: Newer inspectors may not yet have the practical experience to apply certain regulations with the nuance and consistency of their predecessors. They may interpret the regulations completely wrong.
- Longer Inspection Times: Expect more detailed questions or requests for documentation as new inspectors learn facility processes and compliance history.
- Increased Scrutiny or Caution: New staff may take a more cautious approach, relying strictly on the letter of the permit language while they build confidence in field decision-making.
What You Can Do to Prepare
To ensure a smooth inspection process during this transition, we recommend the following:
- Know Your Air Permit Conditions – You need to be the expert of what your air permit requires. Be sure you understand and can clearly explain each requirement.
- Update Records and Documentation – Ensure all monitoring, testing, and reporting records are complete and well-organized. Some permits require records to be updated by the 15th of the month, some by the 30th of the month. Click here for a good, basic flow chart to understand 12-month rolling totals.
- Prepare Your Team – Coach internal staff on how to respond to inspection questions and provide helpful context without over-explaining.
- Have A Back-Up Person – If you are on vacation or out sick the day the inspector shows up, do you have a back-up person that can handle the inspection during your absence?
- Be Proactive and Cooperative – Offer relevant background to help newer inspectors understand your operations and past compliance.
After your inspection, you’ll receive a letter from DEQ indicating one of two outcomes: either the inspection was completed with no compliance issues, or it will include a list of potential compliance concerns identified during the visit.
Be sure to respond to that letter!
This is your opportunity to clarify any misinterpretations by the inspector, submit additional documentation to mitigate or resolve compliance issues, or demonstrate that corrective actions have already been taken.
Trinity is here to support you every step of the way.
If it’s been a while since your last inspection—or if you have a new Environmental Manager—Trinity can conduct a comprehensive air audit to help identify any areas that may need attention. Following the inspection, we can assist in crafting a thorough response to the DEQ letter and provide documentation to address or refute any findings.
For more information and assistance with compliance and inspections, please reach out to any member of Trinity’s Little Rock office.
