Businesslaw_Paper_1

Improving Alumina Inc. 1 RUNNINGHEAD: Improving Environmental Issues with Alumina Inc. Improving Environmental Issues University of Phoenix Improving Alumina Inc. 2 ABSTRACT When running a business it is important to be aware of anything that can affect the productivity of the company. It is equally important to understand the regulatory risk that is specific to Alumina Inc. in order to proceed with preventive, detective and corrective measures. These measures are necessary steps used to improve the quality of business at a company. Improving Alumina Inc. 3 Improving Environmental Issues with Alumina Inc. Introduction When running a business it is important to be aware of anything that can affect the productivity of the company. Alumina Inc. is an American based aluminum maker that specializes in aluminum products. According to Environmental Protection Agency, they were reported to be in violation of environmental discharge norms. They later were threatened with a lawsuit by a local resident named Kelly Bates who claimed that her daughter was affected by their environmental discharge. It is important to understand the regulatory risk that is specific to Alumina Inc. in order to proceed with preventive, detective and corrective measures. These measures are necessary steps used to improve the quality of the company. Preventive Measures As a preventive measure Alumina Inc. should hire their own inspectors that can test the levels of chemicals that are allowed into their waste materials. “Alumina has business interest in automotive components and manufacture of packaging material, bauxite mining, alumina refining, alumina smelting”. ( ) High levels of these materials are potentially harmful when mixed in waste materials. They need a preventive measure to stay ahead of their inspection. Alumina Inc. should hire their own waste inspectors that can check the levels of harmful chemicals in their waste. This will allow their company time to make any changes necessary before the government inspection. Detective Measures Alumina Inc. need to detect any violation that will affect the regulatory risk of the company. The Environmental Protection Agency or EPA is a federal funded agency in charge of reducing pollution and protecting the environment. They enforce Statutory Environmental Laws protected by the federal government. One of these laws is for Water Pollution Regulation. A company must receive a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit in order to discharge waste into waterways. The company needs to be approved by the EPA in order to receive a permit. Alumina Inc. was in violation of discharge norms and immediately complied to EPA demands. Although they corrected their inspection problem quickly, it gave reason for outside criticism and potential lawsuits against the company. Corrective Measures Kelly Bates was a local resident threatened to file a multi-million dollar personal injury lawsuit to recover compensatory and punitive damages against Alumina Inc. She believed that Alumina Inc’s environmental discharge in the water supply resulted as the cause of her daughter’s leukemia. This is described as a tort of negligence. According to Business7eCh10, “Negligence imposes liability on us when we are careless. “(Jennings,P.383). Because of Alumina Inc’s carelessness, Ms. Bates threatened to sue the company. They resolved the dispute by mediation sought through the American Arbitration Association. They were able to settle their dispute with Kelly Bates without going to trail. They used the AAA as an alternative dispute resolution. This was the best option to take and helped save the company money and public image. Conclusion Alumina Inc. has the power of influence when producing aluminum products. They are in business because of their productivity. In order to remain productive, it is important for them to be aware of the environmental issues that can occur from producing the products. Environmental regulations are very important because every living and no living thing is a part of it. Strict environmental laws will continue encouraging businesses like Alumina Inc. to product the best aluminum products in a safe and healthier environment. https://ecampus.phoenix.edu/secure/aapd/vendors/tata/sims/legal/legal_simulation1.html EBOOK COLLECTION: Ch. 10 of Jennings, M. M. (2006). Business: Its legal, ethical, and global environment (7th ed.). Mason, OH: Thomson.%20%20)