LITIGATION SUPPORT PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
PROJECT 1: Crude Oil Pipeline Clean Air Act Violations
Expert technical opinion developed to support the successful resolution of a major lawsuit regarding Clean Air Act violations at a major crude oil pipeline.
Landmark was retained to provide independent and objective expert litigation support regarding claims of Clean Air Act violations that were reported to have occurred during upgrades to 40-miles of major crude oil transmission lines that transected critical wildlife habitats. Landmark reviewed historic and updated Industrial Hygiene Management Programs and Surveys that were instated before and after the event, Standard Operating Procedures, and other applicable documents related to the testimony on the matter.
Through our evaluation, Landmark concluded that the client’s Safety and Environmental Programs exceeded industry standards of care associated with applicable federal occupational safety and health rules for identification and communication of hazards, responses were conducted in a thorough manner, and potential hazards associated with emissions were very low and posed minimal adverse impact to the environment. Landmark provided a written expert opinion regarding the oil company’s compliance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Clean Air Act and National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP), which supported successful resolution of the claims against the client by governmental agencies. Landmark supported the development of effective procedural and administrative controls to prevent future NESHAP violations from occurring.
PROJECT 2: University of Alaska-Anchorage
Landmark collaborated with university faculty to develop and implement improved Environmental, Health, and Safety programs to help mitigate risk and reduce costs.
Landmark was retained by the University of Alaska-Anchorage (UAA) to perform Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Compliance Program development and management support, and to assist the Alaska Statewide Office of Risk Management (RM) in reviewing current and future UAA operations and EHS programs for potential risk exposures. Services include supporting the UAA campus EHS and RM Departments by facilitating relevant campus committees that focus on improving the management of health and safety and developing training programs and materials.
Landmark began this process by a careful review of governing Policy Statements with the Vice Chancellors, Department Deans, and Directors, and evaluating the policy’s purpose and intent versus practical application, including a review of the organizational structure within UAA as related to EHS workflows. UAA EHS Policy & Program development support also includes assistance with change management during Behavior-Based Safety Program development, Job Hazard Analysis Program implementation, and Safety Training Resource Library development.
PROJECT 3: Expert Analyses for a Building Product Manufacturer
Expert technical analyses to identify appropriate sampling and data interpretation approaches for exposure to vapors from installed manufactured products in residential settings.
Landmark evaluated data used to demonstrate the exception of exposure to vapors from installed manufactured products in residential settings. This matter included identification of data needs to support risk assessments for baseline and re-occupancy, identification of sampling objectives for litigation support, and how IH data can support public relations and communications programs to various stakeholders. Landmark's evaluations included possible limitations and inconsistencies in the methods for collecting and interpreting preliminary data during remediation projects. Our experts identified appropriate and relevant sampling strategies and related data interpretation approaches and considerations for area sampling and personal exposure data collection. Our opinions identified optimized workflows and efficiencies of remediation with related data used to determine the efficacy of engineering controls.