Full course description
Course summary:
It's great to have a system in place for making your organization an environmentally sustainable one, but how do you know if that system actually works? Conduct an environmental audit, that's how. This easy-to-understand course will guide you through the steps to pursue an audit, complete with corrective actions, and a closing meeting.
This course will give you the tools to conduct an internal environmental audit at your workplace. You will learn of the different types of audits and about auditors and the basic steps of an audit. This course will also teach you the essential aspects of an audit checklist and how to develop a checklist based on Environmental Management System procedures. You will also explore noncompliances, corrective actions and an audit closing meeting.
Course objectives:
After completing this course, learners should be able to:
- Explain the different types of audits and the levels of auditing available.
- Know the qualifications of auditors and the preparation that they need to conduct an audit.
- Describe the basics steps in an audit and how auditors gather information and evidence.
- Develop open-ended questions which will help in audit interviews.
- Understand the essential aspects of an audit checklist.
- Develop an audit checklist based on EMS (Environmental Management System) procedures.
- Prepare for an audit.
- Use an Internal Audit Noncompliance and Corrective Action Report to record noncompliances.
- Recognize the corrective action process and its importance in closing out noncompliances.
- Gain experience in conducting an audit closing meeting.
Course topics include:
- Auditing
- The Audit
- Audit Checklist
- Noncompliance and Corrective Action
- Closeout
Elements of the course:
- Informational text
- Interactive practice activities
- Supplemental reference materials
- Final assessment
This course is self-paced, allowing learners the flexibility to complete the course as quickly or slowly as they need.
After completing all course content and activities, you will complete a final quiz to demonstrate your understanding of key course concepts. Upon successful completion of the quiz, you will be awarded a certificate of completion.
Recommended background
No additional background knowledge or skills are required for this course.
Course creators:
This course was designed and developed by the Eppley Center for Parks and Public Lands at Indiana University, using content from Velsoft.
How to access:
Upon enrolling, you will receive instructions and the link to the Canvas course. Note: When you register, you will receive an email invitation. Be sure to accept that invitation, or Canvas will not allow you to open the course modules.
Enrollees can move through content modules at their own pace within the course timeframe.