Enviro nme ntal Manage me nt and He alth
7 / 3 [1996] 1 2 –2 1 © MCB Unive rs ity Pre s s [ISSN 0956-6163]
The objectives of the environmental audit
Gerald Vinten
Unive rs ity o f Luto n, UKExplores the concept of the environmental audit. Empha-sizes its importance as one contribution that attempts to prevent the destruction of the world in which we live. Stresses that it is everyone’s responsibility – that of both individuals and the compa-nies and organizations in which they operate. Describes stages of the audit process that have been successful in practice.
Am on g t h e m u lt it u d e of a n im a ls w h ich s ca m p er, fl y, bu r r ow a n d sw im a r ou n d u s, m a n is t h e on ly on e w h o is n ot lock ed in t o h is en v ir on m en t . H is im a gin a t ion , h is r ea -s on , h i-s em ot ion a l -su b t let y a n d t ou gh n e-s-s, m a k e it p os sible for h im n ot t o a cce p t t h e en v ir on m en t bu t t o ch a n ge it . An d t h a t s er ies of in ven t ion s, by w h ich m a n fr om a ge t o a ge h a s r em a d e h is en v ir on m en t , is a d iffer en t k in d of evolu t ion – n ot b iologica l, bu t cu lt u r a l evolu t ion . I ca ll t h a t b r illia n t s eq u en ce of cu lt u r a l p ea k s “T h e As cen t of M a n ”[1].
T h e In t er n a t ion a l Ch a m b er of Com m er ce h a s d efi n ed en v ir on m en t a l a u d it a s “a m a n a gem en t t ool cogem p r is in g a sy s t egem a t ic, d ocu -m en t ed , p er iod ic a n d ob ject ive eva lu a t ion of h ow w ell en v ir on m en t a l or ga n iza t ion , m a n -a gem en t -a n d eq u ip m en t -a r e p er for m in g w it h t h e a im of h elp in g t o s a fe gu a r d t h e en v ir on -m en t by :
• fa cilit a t in g m a n a gem en t con t r ol of en v ir on -m en t a l p r ot ect ion ;
• a s ses sin g com p lia n ce w it h com p a n y p olicies w h ich wou ld in clu d e m eet in g r e gu la -t or y r eq u ir em en -t s [2]”.
F r om t h is w e ca n see t h a t t h e con ce p t is w id e. It is n ot ju s t com p ly in g w it h m in im a lis t le gisla t ion , n or is it ju st a p u blic r egisla t ion s exer -cise, t h ou gh it w ill in clu d e b ot h of t h ese. Ra t h er it is a t ot a l s t r a t e gic, cr a d le-t o-gr ave p r oces s, w h ich s om e p r efer t o ca ll “con ce p -t ion -t o r es u r r ec-t ion ”, u n d er lin in g -t h e “d esign t o r ecyclin g” a sp ect . T h e m a in a im is t o p r o-d u ce a m a n a gem en t s y s t em t h a t w ill p r ov io-d e in for m a t ion on en v ir on m en t a l p er for m a n ce a ga in s t p r e-d et er m in ed t a r get s, en s u r in g t h a t t h os e t a r get s a r e m et , a n d t h a t on e r em a in s a h ea d of t h e p a ck . T h e a d op t ion of t h is d efi n i-t ion by i-t h e N a i-t ion a l E n v ir on m en i-t a l Au d ii-t or s’ Re gis t r a t ion Sch em e, a n d by t h e In st it u t e of E n v ir on m en t a l Asses sm en t h a s a d d ed ext r a a u t h or it y t o t h is d efi n it ion .
T h e s cop e of t h e a u d it ca n b e com p r eh en -s ive, t a k e on a r a n ge of i-s-s u e-s, or a d d r e-s -s a s in gle t op ic. Wh er e in t er n a t ion a l a u d it s a r e ca r r ied ou t by a cen t r a l t ea m , it is lik ely t h a t a r a n ge of t op ics w ill b e cover ed t o m in im ize cos t s. T h e a u d it m ay b e r es t r ict ed t o sim p le com p lia n ce t es t in g, or ext en d ed t o a m or e s ea r ch in g a n d in t er -p r ofes sion a l a u d it . T h e a u d it w ill a d d r ess t h e op er a t in g
en v ir on m en t , h ea lt h a n d sa fet y m a n a gem en t , p r od u ct sa fet y a n d q u a lit y, loss p r even t ion , a n d m in im izin g r esou r ce u se a n d a dver se effect on t h e en v ir on m en t .
T h e a dva n t a ges of a s ou n d en v ir on m en t a l a u d it a r e t h a t it w ill:
• d em on st r a t e com p a n y com m it m en t t o en v i-r on m en t a l p i-r ot ect ion t o em p loyees, t h e p u blic a n d t h e a u t h or it ies;
• p r ov id e a n en v ir on m en t a l d a t a b a s e for p la n n in g, p la n t m od ifi ca t ion a n d em er -gen cy p la n n in g;
• sa fe gu a r d t h e en v ir on m en t ;
• ver ify com p lia n ce w it h loca l a n d n a t ion a l law s;
• in d ica t e cu r r en t or p ot en t ia l fu t u r e p r ob -lem s t h a t n eed t o b e a d d r ess ed ;
• r ed u ce exp osu r e t o lit iga t ion , in cid en t s a n d a dver se p u blicit y ;
• in cr ea se em p loyee aw a r en ess of en v ir on -m en t a l -m a t t er s;
• a ssess t r a in in g p r ogr a m m es a n d p r ov id e d a t a t o a ss ist in t r a in in g;
• en a ble com p a n ies t o bu ild on good en v ir on -m en t a l p er for -m a n ce, give cr ed it w h er e a p p r op r ia t e a n d h igh ligh t d efi cien cies; • a ssist t h e exch a n ge a n d com p a r ison of
in for m a t ion b et w een d iffer en t p la n t s or su b sid ia r y com p a n ies;
• id en t ify p ot en t ia l cos t sav in gs, su ch a s fr om w a s t e m in im iza t ion .
T h e a dva n t a ges a r e im m en se. T h e d evelop m en t of t h e en v ir on m en t a l a u d it is in exor -a ble. T h e or g-a n iz-a t ion c-a n ch oose t o b e p -a r t of t h is excit in g d evelop m en t , or let it p a ss by. T h er e a r e p len t y of ot h er or ga n iza t ion s w ish -in g t o t a k e t h e op p or t u n it y, w it h ext er n a l con su lt a n cies sp r in gin g u p w it h gr ea t r e gu -la r it y a n d in t er n a l a u d it or s b e gin n in g t o t ool u p. It r eq u ir es a n ew a p p r oa ch by t h e a u d i-t or s, bu i-t n oi-t on e w h ich is fa r r em oved fr om m or e fa m ilia r t er r it or y.
At t h e ver y lea st t h e a u d it or w ill b e con -cer n ed t o en su r e com p lia n ce w it h law s a n d r e gu la t ion s on t h e en v ir on m en t . In t h e US con t ext t h is w ill b e le gis la t ion su ch a s t h e Wa t er Qu a lit y Im p r ovem en t Act of 1970, t h e N ois e Con t r ol Act of 1972, t h e Toxic
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t h e E u r op ea n Com m u n it y t h is w ill b e a r t icle 130R of t h e 1987 Sin gle E u r op ea n Act w h ich s t a t es t h a t :
1 Act ion by t h e Com m u n it y r ela t in g t o t h e en v ir on m en t sh a ll h ave t h e follow in g ob jec-t ives:
(i) t o p r eser ve, p r ot ect a n d im p r ove t h e q u a lit y of t h e en v ir on m en t ;
(ii) t o con t r ibu t e t ow a r d p r ot ect in g h u m a n h ea lt h ;
(iii) t o en s u r e a p r u d en t a n d r a t ion a l u t iliza -t ion of n a -t u r a l r es ou r ces.
2 Act ion by t h e Com m u n it y r ela t in g t o t h e en v ir on m en t sh a ll b e b a s ed on t h e p r in ci-p les t h a t ci-p r even t ive a ct ion s h ou ld b e t a k en , t h a t en v ir on m en t a l d a m a ge s h ou ld a s a p r ior it y b e r ect ifi ed a t sou r ce, a n d t h a t t h e p ollu t er sh ou ld p ay. E n v ir on m en t a l p r ot ec-t ion r eq u ir em en ec-t s sh a ll b e a com p on en ec-t of t h e Com m u n it y ’s ot h er p olicies.
The European Eco-audit
T h e E u r op ea n Com m iss ion h a s est a blis h ed a Cou n cil r e gu la t ion for a Com m u n it y -w id e, volu n t a r y eco-a u d it sch em e. T h e ver s ion t h a t in 1992 w en t b efor e t h e E u r op ea n Cou n cil a n d P a r lia m en t for r a t ifi ca t ion w a s en t it led “P r o-p os a l for a Cou n cil Re gu la t ion a llow in g vol-u n t a r y p a r t icip a t ion in t h e in d vol-u st r y sect or in a Com m u n it y ecoa u d it s ch em e”. T h e r efer -en ce w a s COM (91) 459. E u r op ea n m em b er st a t es n ow n eed t o es t a blis h s u ch a volu n t a r y sch em e. Com p a n ies in cer t a in in d u st r ia l a ct iv it ies t h a t w is h t o p a r t icip a t e m u st com m it t h em selves t o:
• es t a blis h in g a n in t er n a l en v ir on m en t a l p r ot ect ion sy s t em ;
• eva lu a t in g ob ject ively t h e en v ir on m en t a l p er for m a n ce of t h e s y s t em ;
• in for m in g t h e p u blic on en v ir on m en t a l p er for m a n ce;
• h av in g t h e p u blic s t a t em en t ver ifi ed by a n a ccr ed it ed en v ir on m en t a l a u d it or. T h e s ch em e op er a t es w it h E u r op ea n st a n d a r d s t o b e d evelop ed on en v ir on m en t a l m a n -a gem en t s y s t em s -a n d r el-a t ed cer t ifi c-a t ion a ct iv it ies. Com p a n ies w h ich m eet t h e r eq u ir em en t s t o b e r e gist er ed m ay u se a logo r ela t ed t o t h e s it es t h a t h ave b een ver ifi ed u n d er t h e s ch em e.
Eco-labelling
E cola b ellin g is a m ea n s of d isp lay in g in for -m a t ion a s t o t h e d iffer en t ia l i-m p a ct on t h e en v ir on m en t of p r od u ct s w h ich offer sim ila r u s es a n d com p et e w it h ea ch ot h er in t h e m a r k et . T h e a im is t o less en h a r m t o t h e en v ir on -m en t w h ile p r ov id in g t h e in for -m a t ion t o t h e con s u m er s in m a k in g d ecis ion s b a sed on en v ir on m en t a l p er for m a n ce. T h e aw a r d in g of
a n eco-la b el in volves con s id er a t ion of t h e en v ir on m en t a l im p a ct of a p r od u ct a t ever y st a ge of it s life-cycle, in clu d in g it s m a n u fa c-t u r e, d is c-t r ibu c-t ion , u se a n d d is p osa l, a n d a com p a r ison of t h a t im p a ct a s a ga in s t ot h er p r od u ct s in t h e s a m e gr ou p. N a t u r a lly t h e a dva n t a ge of t h e la b el w ill b e p a r t icu la r ly cr u cia l w h er e t h er e is a m a r k ed con su m er d em a n d for gr een er p r od u ct s. T h e p r in cip le is t h a t p r od u ct gr ou p s m u st b e select ed for a p p lica t ion of t h e la b el, a n d cr it er ia a d op t ed a n d p u blish ed on t h e b a sis of w h ich p r od u ct s in t h a t gr ou p ca n b e a ssess ed . T h e aw a r d in g b ody t h en d et er m in es w h ich p r od u ct s in t h e gr ou p h ave m et t h e cr it er ia a n d ca n a ch ieve t h e aw a r d . A d r a ft r e gu la t ion t o est a blish a n E C eco-la b el sy st em w a s fi r st in t r od u ced in Feb r u a r y 1991, bu t con t r over sy d elayed it s im p lem en t a t ion . Un d er t h e r e gu la t ion w e n ow h ave, t h e De p a r t m en t of t h e E n v ir on -m en t is r eq u ir ed t o d esign a t e a Co-m p et en t Body for t h e sch em e, a n d it h a s b een d ecid ed t h a t a d ed ica t ed n on -d e p a r t m en t a l p u blic b ody wou ld b e t h e m ost su it a ble m ea n s t o t a k e on t h is r ole. In or d er t o d em on s t r a t e t h e a u t h or it y, a n d im p a r t ia lit y of t h e b ody, a n d p r om ot e t h e cr ed ib ilit y of t h e s ch em e, t h e De p a r t m en t d ict a t ed t h a t it s h ou ld b e officia l, in d e p en d en t a n d fr ee fr om m in ist er ia l con -t r ol. Dr E liza b e-t h N elson , ch a ir of Ad d ison Con su lt a n cy Gr ou p p lc a n d t h e Tay lor N elson Gr ou p Lt d , w a s a p p oin t ed a s t h e fi r st ch a ir of t h e UK’s officia l eco-la b ellin g b ody.
The environmental aspect to loans
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lia b ilit y t h ose w h o, w it h ou t p a r t icip a t in g in t h e m a n a gem en t of a fa cilit y, h old in d ica t ion of ow n er s h ip p r im a r ily t o p r ot ect t h eir s ecu -r it y in t e-r es t . T h e d ifficu lt y h a s b een t o d efi n e w h a t con st it u t es p a r t icip a t in g in t h e m a n a ge-m en t . US cou r t s h ave r u led t h a t sligh t a ct s, s u ch a s a n y p r u d en t len d er wou ld t a k e t o s a fe gu a r d secu r it y, wou ld b e s u fficien t . Ma t -t er s p r ogr es s ed fu r -t h er d ow n -t h e s lip p er y s lop e w h en t h e Fed er a l Ap p ea ls Cou r t con s id -er ed s u ch a ca s e for t h e fi r s t t im e in t h e ca se of US v. Fleet Fa ctors. T h e Ap p ea l Cou r t for t h e E leven t h Cir cu it d et er m in ed t h a t a s ecu r ed len d er w h o t ook n o p a r t in m a n a ge-m en t d ecis ion s, w h ich w er e p r ev iou s ly t h ou gh t t o b e sa fe, m igh t s t ill b e fou n d lia ble if t h e cou r t cou ld in fer t h a t t h e s ecu r ed len d er cou ld h ave a ffect ed h a za r d ou s w a s t e d ecision s, even if in fa ct it d id n ot d o so. T h is d ecision ca u sed sh ock h or r or in t h e US b a n k -in g com m u n it y. N ot a ll su b s eq u en t d ecis ion s h ave follow ed t h is lea d , bu t t h e a m b igu it y of t h e law d oes lit t le t o ca lm t h e a n xiet ies of len d er s.
In t h e UK, t h e E n v ir on m en t a l P r ot ect ion Act 1990 im p oses lia b ilit y on t h os e w h o con -t r ol w a s -t e, bu -t gen er a lly s u ch lia b ili-t y is n o-t a b s olu t e, a n d if r ea son a ble p r eca u t ion s h ave b een t a k en , a n d d u e ca r e exer cis ed , t h en lia b ilit y w ill b e avoid ed . T h is is n ot so in t h e Dr a ft E C Dir ect ive, w h ich in Cla u se 2(1) (b ) s t ip u la t es t h a t “t h e p er son w h o h a d a ct u a l con t r ol of t h e w a st e w h en t h e in cid en t giv in g r is e t o t h e d a m a ge … , if h e is n ot a ble w it h in a r ea s on a ble t im e t o id en t ify t h e p r od u cer …” s h a ll b e lia ble. Lia b ilit y is a b solu t e a n d d e p en d en t on fa u lt . It is n ot a lw ay s p oss ible t o id en t ify t h e p r od u cer of w a s t e, s u ch a s a w a st e t ip in for m a lly u sed by t h e p u blic over m a n y yea r s.
The law and the company director
Com p a n y d ir ect or s w ill in cr ea sin gly fa ce t h e t h r ea t of fi n es a n d d isq u a lifi ca t ion . In a la n d -m a r k ca s e in t h e su -m -m er of 1992 in Lew es Cr ow n Cou r t , for t h e fi r s t ever t im e a com p a n y d ir ect or w a s d isq u a lifi ed for com m it -t in g a h ea l-t h a n d s a fe-t y offen ce. T h e a n a logy w it h en v ir on m en t a l offen ces is ext r em ely clos e, a n d it is t o b e exp ect ed t h a t t h e p r in ci-p les of t h is ca s e w ill b e r ea ci-p ci-p lied w it h ou t h es it a t ion t o en v ir on m en t a l a bu s es. T h e m is cr ea n t d ir ect or w a s t h e ow n er of a Ken t q u a r r y fi r m w h ich a ct ed in b r ea ch of a p r oh i-b it ion n ot ice iss u ed i-by t h e H ea lt h a n d Sa fet y E xecu t ive for fa ilu r e t o p r ot ect em p loyees fr om fa llin g r ock s. H e p lea d ed gu ilt y t o t h e ch a r ge u n d er sect ion 37 of t h e H ea lt h a n d Sa fet y a t Wor k Act , w h ich m a k es d ir ect or s a n d ot h er s en ior officer s lia ble for offen ces
com m it t ed w h er e t h ey h ave con sen t ed or con n ived in t h e offen ce, or w h er e it w a s a t t r ibu t a ble t o t h eir n e glect . T h e a s sist a n t r ecor d er a t t h e Cr ow n Cou r t b elieved t h a t t h e sever it y of t h e offen ce r en d er ed it in su fficien t t o sim p ly fi n e t h e d ir ect or a n d t h e com p a n y, a n d s o it m a d e le ga l h ist or y by im p osin g a t woyea r b a n on h old in g a com p a n y d ir ect or -sh ip. Sect ion 2 of t h e Com p a n y Dir ect or s Disq u a lifi ca t ion Act 1986 p er m it s a cou r t t o d isq u a lify a d ir ect or for u p t o 15 yea r s for a n in d ict a ble offen ce con n ect ed w it h , in ter a lia , t h e m a n a gem en t of t h e com p a n y or it s p r op er t y. N ever b efor e h a d t h is p ow er b een exer -cised in r ela t ion sh ip t o a h ea lt h a n d sa fet y offen ce. It w ill on ly b e t h e n ext st e p for t h e sa m e t r ea t m en t t o b e m et ed ou t for a n en v i-r on m en t a l offen ce. T h e E n v ii-r on m en t a l P i-r o-t eco-t ion Aco-t 1990, Wa o-t er Resou r ces Aco-t 1991, a n d Wa t er In d u st r y Act 1991, a ll con t a in id en -t ica l s -t ip u la -t ion s -t o -t h ose of -t h e H ea l-t h a n d Sa fet y a t Wor k Act 1974, a n d a llow d ir ect or s a n d s en ior officer s t o b e ch a r ged for en v ir on m en t a l offen ces p er p et r a t ed by t h eir com p a -n ies. Wit h a fi -n d i-n g of gu ilt u -n d er t h ese st a t u t es, cou r t s m ay b e in clin ed t o follow t h e lea d est a blish ed by t h e Lew es Cr ow n Cou r t . T h is is lik ely t o a p p ly on ly t o bla t a n t a n d ser iou s ca ses. H ow ever, t h e closer t h e d ir ec-t or is in volved in ec-t h e d ay -ec-t o-d ay wor k in gs of a com p a n y, t h e m or e lik ely it is t h a t h e or sh e m igh t b e d isq u a lifi ed . Dir ect or s of sm a ll com p a n ies, w it h t h eir close op er a t ion a l in volvem en t , n eed t o b e p a r t icu la r ly v igila n t .
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ev id en ce of a n “effect ive p r ogr a m t o p r even t a n d d et ect v iola t ion s of law ”. “Cr ed it s ” a ga in st p ot en t ia l p en a lt ies ca n b e a ccr u ed if or ga n iza t ion s ca n d em on s t r a t e t h a t t h ey h ave:
• com p lied w it h t h e va r iou s d u e d iligen ce st e p s ou t lin ed in t h e law ;
• in vest iga t ed a n d p u n is h ed w r on gd oin g; a n d • co-op er a t ed w it h gover n m en t in ves t iga t or s. In s im ila r vein , bu t w it h exclu sive r efer en ce t o en v ir on m en t a l con cer n s, t h e US De p a r t -m en t of J u s t ice issu e a p olicy p r on ou n ce-m en t on 11 J u ly 1991 in d ica t in g t h a t com p a n ies t h a t p r oa ct ively im p lem en t m a n a gem en t a n d com p lia n ce p r ogr a m m es w ill fa ce les s cr im i-n a l ei-n for cem ei-n t a ct iv it y t h a i-n com p a i-n ies w h ich la ck su ch p r ogr a m m es. Accor d in g t o t h e p r on ou n cem en t , a com p a n y is m or e lik ely t o q u a lify for “p r os ecu t ion len ien cy ” if it ca n p r ove t h r ou gh it s m a n a gem en t s y s t em : • volu n t a r y, p r om p t , a n d com p let e d
isclo-su r es of m a t t er s u n d er in ves t iga t ion ; • fu ll a n d p r om p t co-op er a t ion ; a n d • p r even t ive m ea su r es a n d com p lia n ce
p r ogr a m m es.
Su ch a n a p p r oa ch m a k es good , p r u d en t sen s e ou t s id e t h e USA a s w ell. It lea d s u s n a t u r a lly in t o t h e n eed a n d va lu e of t h e en v ir on m en t a l a u d it . If you a d op t t h e op t im a l a p p r oa ch , t h er e is n o s t a n d a r d or le gisla t ion t h a t ca n ca t ch you u n aw a r es.
The Litter Code for local
authorities
Mu ch of t h e wor k of loca l a u t h or it ies in r em ov in g lit t er a n d clea n in g r oa d s is su b ject t o b ot h t h e Loca l Gover n m en t Act 1988 a n d t h e E n v ir on m en t P r ot ect ion Act (E PA) 1990. T h e 1990 Act s et h igh er st a n d a r d s t o b e a d h er ed t o. Sect ion 89 r eq u ir es loca l a u t h or i-t ies a n d oi-t h er sp ecifi ed la n d ow n er s a s fa r a s p r a ct ica ble t o k ee p a ll la n d t o w h ich t h e p u b -lic h a s a ccess, a n d w h ich is op en t o t h e a ir, clea r of r efu s e a n d lit t er.
T h e Secr et a r ies of St a t e is su ed t h eir cod e of p r a ct ice, a s r eq u ir ed by t h e Act , in J a n u a r y 1991. T h is Lit t er Cod e list s fou r gr a d es of clea n lin es s:
1 n o lit t er or r efu s e (gr a d e A);
2 p r ed om in a n t ly fr ee of r efu s e (gr a d e B); 3 w id es p r ea d lit t er a n d r efu s e, w it h m in or
a ccu m u la t ion s (gr a d e C); a n d
4 h eav ily lit t er ed , w it h sign ifi ca n t a ccu m u -la t ion s (gr a d e D).
P h ot ogr a p h s a r e in clu d ed in t h e Lit t er Cod e t o illu s t r a t e t h es e gr a d es. E leven ca t e gor ies of la n d a r e t h en id en t ifi ed :
1 t ow n cen t r es, s h op p in g cen t r es a n d s t r eet s, m a jor t r a n s p or t cen t r es, cen t r a l
ca r p a r k s, a n d ot h er p u blic p la ces w h er e la r ge n u m b er s of p eop le con gr e ga t e; 2 h igh -d en sit y r esid en t ia l a r ea s, r ecr
e-a t ion e-a l e-a r ee-a s w h er e le-a r ge n u m b er s of p eop le con gr e ga t e, a n d su bu r b a n ca r p a r k s a n d t r a n sp or t cen t r es;
3 ot h er ca r p a r k s a n d t r a n sp or t cen t r es, low -d en sit y r esid en t ia l a r ea s, a n d in d u s-t r ia l ess-t a s-t es;
4 a m en it y b ea ch es (a b ove h igh t id e); 5 m ot or w ay s, a n d t r u n k r oa d s w h ose
t r a ffic fl ow s exceed sp ecifi ed levels; 6 a ll ot h er r oa d s (b esid e 6, a n d t h ose
in clu d ed in 1 t o 3);
7 la n d occu p ied by ed u ca t ion a l in st it u -t ion s;
8-10 r a ilw ay em b a n k m en t s a n d t ow p a t h s; 11 a ll ot h er a r ea s t o w h ich t h e Act a p p lies. T h e sign ifi ca n ce of t h ese ca t e gor ies is t h a t t h e Cod e sp ecifi es t h e gr a d es t o w h ich la n d sh ou ld b e r es t or ed , a n d by w h en , by ea ch ca t e gor y. For exa m p le, ca t e gor y 1, w it h t h e h igh est sp ecifi ca t ion , h a s t o b e r est or ed t o gr a d e A:
• w it h in six h ou r s if it fa lls t o gr a d e B b et w een 6 a .m . a n d 8 p.m .. (or w it h in t h r ee h ou r s if it fa lls t o gr a d e C, or w it h in on e h ou r if t o gr a d e D);
• by 8 a .m . if it fa lls b elow gr a d e A b et w een 8 p.m . a n d 6 a .m .
Bu sin es ses in in d u s t r ia l est a t es ca n in vok e t h e Act , a s ca n t h ose w h o fi n d t h e in fr a st r u c-t u r e of r oa d s a n d c-t h e lik e is over -lic-t c-t er ed .
Other aspects of the
Environmental Protection Act 1990
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en v ir on m en t a l im p a ct a ss es s m en t s for n ew d evelop m en t s su ch a s n ew s h op p in g cen t r es or fa ct or ies. T h er e is a ls o a le ga l obliga t ion t o m in im ize w a st e p r od u ct ion u s in g t h e p r in ci-p le t h a t goes by t h e a cr on y m BATN E E C – “b es t ava ila ble t ech n ology n ot en t a ilin g exces s ive cost ”. Bes t ava ila ble t ech n iq u es u n d er t h e a ct in clu d e t ech n ology, u se of p er -s on n el, a n d t h e d s ign , layou t a n d m a in t e-n a e-n ce of bu ild ie-n gs. Gu id a e-n ce e-n ot es a r e ava il-a ble cover in g gen er il-a l il-a r eil-a s s u ch il-a s fu el il-a n d p et r oleu m , m in er a ls, w a st e d is p os a l a n d ch em ica ls, a n d m or e a r e is su ed w it h t im e. It is s a lu t a r y t o r ea lize t h a t t h er e is a r ever s a l of t h e n or m a l cr im in a l bu r d en of p r oof. T h e on u s is on t h e a ccu sed t o p r ove t h a t t h er e w a s n o b et t er ava ila ble t ech n iq u e t h a n t h a t u s ed .
T h er e a r e 12 cr im in a l offen ces r ela t in g t o b r ea ch es of t h e a ct . T h e m os t s er iou s offen ces ca r r y a m a xim u m sen t en ce of t wo yea r s w it h a n u n lim it ed fi n e. P en a lt ies a p p ly t o b ot h com p a n ies a n d in d iv id u a ls, a n d w h er e a com p a n y is m a n a ged by it s m em b er s, t h ey m ay a ls o b e fou n d gu ilt y. In d u st r ies cover ed by t h e a ct h ave t o a p p ly for a u t h or iza t ion t o con t in u e t o op er a t e, t o m a k e m a jor ch a n ges t o t h eir p la n t s, or t o bu ild n ew on es. Va r iou s b od ies, s u ch a s t h e H ea lt h a n d Sa fet y E xecu -t ive, h ave -t o b e con su l-t ed a n d -t h en -t h er e h a s t o b e p u blic a dver t is em en t in a loca l n ew s p a -p er. At t em -p t in g t o avoid com -p lia n ce is a h igh r is k s t r a t e gy, w it h ser iou s con s eq u en ces for b ot h t h e com p a n y a n d t h os e w it h in it . A copy of t h e a ct is a v it a l p a r t of t h e com p a n y lib r a r y, a n d d ir ect or s a n d m a n a ger s n eed t o b e aw a r e of t h e b a sic st ip u la t ion s of t h e a ct .
Le gis la t ion is b e gin n in g t o b it e, a n d p r oa ct ive com p a n ies a r e a lr ea dy b e gin n in g t o a d ju s t t h eir s t r a t e gy, p la n s a n d p r oced u r es t o cop e. Com p a n ies s u ch a s H offm a n -La Roch e, Sw it zer la n d ’s t h ir d la r ges t ch em ica l com -p a n y, t h e F in n ish con glom er a t e N est e, Volvo in Sw ed en , Im p er ia l Ch em ica l In d u st r ies in E n gla n d , Op el in Ger m a n y, P h ilip s in T h e N et h er la n d s, a n d IBM a n d J oh n s on a n d J oh n -s on in t h e USA a r e ju -st a few of a gr ow in g n u m b er of com p a n ies t h a t see com p et it ive a dva n t a ge a s w ell a s m or a l ju s t ifi ca t ion for t h e en v ir on m en t a l a u d it . E n v ir on m en t a l s t a t em en t s a r e p r od u ced by com p a n ies s u ch a s : La in g, Sa in s bu r y ’s, Icela n d , ICI, a n d 3M. T h e E n v ir on m en t a l Rev iew of Br it is h Air -w ay s is a fu lly fl ed ged a n d a n a ly t ica l a ccou n t – a r ev iew a cr os s t h e en t ir e com p a n y.
The environmental audit
I h ave n ever u n d er s t ood w h y a n y b ody a gr eed t o go on b ein g a r u st ic a ft er a b ou t 1400[3].
P r in ce Ch a r les, h eir t o t h e Br it ish T h r on e, sp ea k in g on Br it is h t elev is ion on 23 May 1990 on a p r ogr a m m e h e p r od u ced on t h e en v ir on -m en t , e-m p h a sized t h e n eed for p r op er a u d it a n d a ccou n t a b ilit y. H e r ein for ced t h e m essa ge in h is k ey n ot e a d d r es s t o t h e Wor ld Com -m ission on E n v ir on -m en t a n d Develop -m en t (T h e Br u n d t la n d Com m is sion ) on 22 Ap r il 1992, a n d in su b seq u en t con ver sa t ion w it h t h e w r it er. In h is sp eech , h e u r ged t h e n eed t o seek t o live in h a r m on y a n d b a la n ce w it h t h e r est of cr ea t ion , even if w e ca n n ot d iscer n a n y d ir ect a n d im m ed ia t e m a t er ia l b en efi t t o ou r selves in t h e p r ocess:
T h is, of cou r s e, p oin t s t o t h e n eed for a fu n -d a m en t a l sh ift in a t t it u -d es. We h ave a ll b een t a u gh t t o t h in k in a lin ea r w ay ; w it h a b e gin -n i-n g, a m id d le a -n d a -n e-n d . Li-n ea r it y is t h e con ce p t w e u s e t o d ev ise in d u st r ia l p r ocesses in t er m s of in p u t s, p r oces s es, a n d ou t p u t s, w it h w a s t e a n d p ollu t ion a s u n in -t en d ed (a n d , u n -t il r ecen -t ly, li-t -t le con s id er ed ) ou t p u t s. T h e s olu t ion t o p ollu t ion is s t ill, t oo oft en , d ilu t ion . Ou r lin ea r w ay of t h in k in g h a s b een a t r iu m p h in t h e r ela t ive s h or t t er m . Bu t n ow, w it h t h e d ou blin g of wor ld p op u la t ion in p r os p ect , w it h in cr ea sin g d em a n d s for a h igh er a n d h igh er m a t er ia l st a n d a r d of liv in g, a n d w it h t h e a d d ed n eed t o st r ive for s u s t a in a b ilit y, w e m u st s t a r t t o t h in k a ga in .
It is a lw ay s en cou r a gin g t o h ave r oya l su p -p or t t o t h e a u d it ca u se.
The content of the audit
T h e follow in g st a ges h ave p r oved t o b e su c-cessfu l in p r a ct ice.
The pre-audit
If t h is t y p e of a u d it is n ew t o t h e or ga n iza t ion , t h en it w ill b e wor t h w h ile t o m a k e a q u ick sca n a cr oss t h e a ct iv it ies con t a in ed in t h e sect ion on “a r ea s t o a u d it ” b elow. T h is w ill h igh ligh t a r ea s r eq u ir in g a t t en t ion , su ggest h ow t h e a u d it s w ill fi t in w it h ot h er wor k , w h a t r esou r ces m ay b e n eed ed , a n d t h e t r a in -in g -in volved for a ll t h os e w h o w ill p a r t icip a t e, b ot h a u d it or s a n d a u d it ees. T h is s it u a t ion w ill a lso p er t a in t o a m u lt in a t ion a l com p a n y w ish in g t o exp a n d h om e a u d it s t o s u b sid ia r ies a b r oa d . If t h e a u d it is p a r t of a con -t in u in g p r ogr a m m e, -t h en a r ev iew of p a s-t a ch ievem en t a ga in st p la n a n d n ew n eed s, w ill su ggest a r ea s for a t t en t ion .
Setting objectives
De fine go als
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im p a ct is gr ea t es t p er u n it of exp en d it u r e. Fou r b a s ic q u es t ion s sh ou ld set t h e t on e: 1 Wh a t a r e w e d oin g?
2 Ca n w e im p r ove? 3 Ca n w e d o m or e?
4 Ca n w e d o it m or e ch ea p ly ?
T h e a im w ill b e t o op t im ize t h e t r a d e-off b et w een com p a n y efficien cy a n d n e ga t ive im p a ct on t h e en v ir on m en t .
De c ide audit sc o pe
T h e focu s m ay b e on t h e en t ir e or ga n iza t ion (com p r eh en sive a u d it ), a d e p a r t m en t (a ct iv -it y a u d -it ) or s -it e by s-it e (s -it e a u d -it ). T h e p r e-a u d it w ill h e-ave given som e id ee-a e-a s t o w h ich of t h is, or m ixt u r e of t h ese, wou ld b e wor t h -w h ile.
Asc e rtain re gulatio ns, standards and state -o f-the -art te c hno lo gy
Ap a r t fr om p r es en t r e gu la t ion s a n d s t a n -d a r -d s it is a lso im p or t a n t t o con s i-d er t h os e t h a t m ay b e in ges t a t ion . P r ofes sion a l, gov -er n m en t , en v ir on m en t a l a n d t r a d e b od ies, a s w ell a s lin e m a n a ger s, w ill b e s ou r ces of in for m a t ion .
Recen t t ech n ologica l a n d p r od u ct d evelop m en t s t h a t ca n im p r ove en v ir on m en t a l p er for m a n ce a ls o n eed t o b e a cces sed . T h e or ga -n iza t io-n ca -n t h e-n b e ju d ged a ga i-n st t h is b en ch m a r k .
Prio rity se tting
It is r ea list ic t o st a r t w it h p r oject s w h er e eit h er t h e r isk a n d m a t er ia lit y a r e h igh , or t h e p ay b a ck p er iod is q u ick es t . E n er gy con -ser va t ion a n d t a r iffs a r e a n exa m p le. T h e cost of w a t er m ay w ell r ise s h a r p ly, a n d con s er va -t ion h er e is in cr ea sin gly n ecess a r y. Su ch p r oject s w ill es t a blis h cr ed ib ilit y, a n d look in g a ft er t h e cen t s w ill t a k e ca r e of t h e d olla r s, a n d lea d t o t h e a u d it of t h e la r ger a n d s om e-t im es m or e in e-t r a ce-t a ble is s u es.
Preparation
Se le c t the audit te am
It is im p or t a n t t o for m a n in t er d iscip lin a r y t ea m w h ich t oget h er ca n t a ck le t h e s cien ce a n d t ech n ology in volved , a s w ell a s h av in g a k n ow led ge of d e p a r t m en t s im p lica t ed in t h e a u d it s. Wit h in t er n a l a u d it ’s r ov in g com m is -sion , it m ay b e con sid er ed t h a t it is s u it a ble t o p la ce t h e co-or d in a t ion r ole h er e. T h is is a n op p or t u n it y for in t er n a l a u d it t o gr a b, s in ce it w ill n ot a u t om a t ica lly com e t h is w ay, a n d in m a n y r e p or t ed ca ses it h a s n ot , a n d in t er n a l a u d it in volvem en t is m in im a l or n on -exis-t en -exis-t .
De te rmine the ne e d fo r e xte rnal assistanc e
Wh er e in t er n a l a u d it or t h e or ga n iza t ion la ck t h e exp er t ise, a m ixt u r e of in -h ou se s t a ff a n d
in d e p en d en t ext er n a l con su lt a n t s n eed s t o b e con sid er ed . Som e la r ge com p a n ies u se sp e-cia l d ed ica t ed in -h ou s e s t a ff on ly, a n d h ave en v ir on m en t a l a u d it gr ou p s. Ot h er s, su ch a s Un ion Ca r b id e a n d Allied -Sign a l, w h ile h av in g t h eir ow n sp ecia lis t t ea m s, in clu d e a n in d e p en d en t con su lt a n t on m ost of t h eir a u d it s.
Establish the te rms o f re fe re nc e
T h is p r ov id es a n a u t h or iza t ion t o p r oceed , a s w ell a s a n ot ifi ca t ion t o a ll em p loyees, w h o sh ou ld t h en b e en cou r a ged t o p a r t icip a t e.
Agre e time sc ale , and budge t
T h is p la ces b ou n d s on t h e a u d it in r ela t ion t o t h e p r oject ed b en efi t s a n d t h e p er ce p t ion s of t op m a n a gem en t , a n d p r ov id es a t a r get for t h e en v ir on m en t a l a u d it m a n a ger t o a im for.
Draw up audit documentation
Da t a n eed t o b e collect ed in a com m on for m a t w h er ever p ossible, a n d in t er v iew a n d ot h er q u est ion n a ir es con st r u ct ed . Com p u t er ized p r ocessin g w ill a lso n eces sit a t e for m d esign .
St a n d a r d ized d ocu m en t a t ion cou ld a lso en cou r a ge s elf-a u d it s, a n d b ecom e p a r t of t h e n or m a l m a n a ger ia l p r oces ses.
Areas to audit
T h ese w ill va r y fr om or ga n iza t ion t o or ga n i-za t ion , bu t h er e w e give exa m p le a r ea s lik ely t o b e com m on t o m ost or ga n iza t ion s, a n d w h ich a r e cu r r en t ly t h e su b ject of en v ir on -m en t a l a u d it a t t en t ion . We h ave d ev ised t h r ee m a jor h ea d in gs: or ga n iza t ion st r a t e gy, fu n c-t ion a l a r ea s, a n d op er a c-t ion a l fa cc-t or s, a n d w e d ea l w it h ea ch in t u r n .
Organizatio n strate gy
Un d er or ga n iza t ion s t r a t e gy, t h er e a r e t h r ee m a in a r ea s t o con sid er :
1 Ov era ll en v ir on m en ta l p olicy: • Does it exist ?
• H a s it t h e su p p or t of t h e b oa r d of d ir ec-t or s, ec-t op m a n a gem en ec-t a n d wor k for ce? • Is it a r e gu la r a gen d a it em for b oa r d
a n d ot h er m eet in gs ?
• H a s a s en ior execu t ive b een given t h e r esp on sib ilit y t o en su r e im p lem en t a -t ion of -t h e p olicy -t h r ou gh ou -t -t h e or ga n i-za t ion ?
• Does t h is sen ior execu t ive r e p or t d ir ect ly t o b oa r d level?
• H ave en v ir on m en t a l lia ison officer s b een a p p oin t ed for ea ch m a jor a r ea of t h e bu sin ess?
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• Ar e t h e co-or d in a t ion m ech a n is m s b et w een t h e lia is on officer s a n d t h e s en ior execu t ive a d eq u a t e?
• Ar e t h er e m ea n s w it h in t h e p olicy of r es olv in g con fl ict b et w een t h e en v ir on -m en t a l p olicy a n d ot h er or ga n iza t ion p olicy ?
• Is t h e p olicy com m u n ica t ed w it h s h a r e-h old er s, em p loyees, cu st om er s, s u p p li-er s, loca l p olit icia n s, n eigh b ou r s a n d con t r ol a u t h or it ies?
• Did it t a k e t h eir v iew s in t o a ccou n t ? • Is t h e p olicy d ocu m en t d a t ed ?
• Is it r ev ised p er iod ica lly a n d a s s oon a s in t er n a l or ext er n a l ch a n ge d ict a t es ? • Ar e a ll in t er est ed p a r t ies con s u lt ed ? • Is t h er e a con sis t en t ecologica l s t r a t e gy
for t h e or ga n iza t ion ?
• Ar e t h e or ga n iza t ion ’s ob ject ives set w it h d u e r e ga r d for ecologica l fa ct or s ? 2 S ta ff tra in in g a n d p a r ticip a tion :
• Is ever y em p loyee iss u ed w it h a copy of t h e en v ir on m en t a l p olicy d ocu m en t , u p d a t es, a n d n ew ed it ion s?
• Is t h e p er s on a l a ccou n t a b ilit y of ever y in d iv id u a l em p loyee m a d e clea r ? • Ar e con t a ct p oin t s in d ica t ed t o w h ich
t h e em p loyee m ay t u r n for m or e a dv ice? • Is t h e en v ir on m en t a l p olicy a r ou t in e
p a r t of in d u ct ion t r a in in g?
• Ar e em p loyees r eq u ir ed t o sign a s t a t e-m en t t h a t t h ey h ave r ea d , u n d er s t ood , a n d a gr ee t o a b id e w it h t h e p olicy ? • Ar e s t a ff t est ed on t h eir k n ow led ge of
t h e p olicy ?
• Is s u ch com p lia n ce a p a r t of t h e s t a ff a p p r a is a l sy s t em ?
• Ar e s u m m a r ies of t h e p olicy on p r om i-n ei-n t d isp lay a r ou i-n d t h e wor k p la ce? • Is t h er e a s y s t em for in for m in g s t a ff
a b ou t w ay s t o im p r ove en v ir on m en t a l p er for m a n ce?
• Ar e t h er e t r a in in g p r ogr a m m es, s u gges t ion s ch em es, q u a lit y cir cles, p er for -m a n ce t a r get s, op er a t ion a l a n d -m a in t e-n a e-n ce s ch ed u les ?
• Is en v ir on m en t a l t r a in in g d es ign ed w it h p r ofes sion a l h elp ?
• Is it in t e gr a t ed w it h ot h er t y p es of t r a in in g?
• Is t h er e a r e gist er of a ll t h os e w h o s h ou ld r eceive t r a in in g?
• Ar e t r a in ees en cou r a ged t o a p p ly t h eir n ew ly a cq u ir ed k n ow led ge a n d s k ills ? • Ar e t h ey m on it or ed t o d is cover t h e
a ft er m a t h of t h e cou r s e, a n d r ea son s w h y t h ey m ay n ot b e u s in g t h e fr u it s of t h e cou r s e?
• Ar e r efr esh er a n d follow -u p cou r s es s u p p lied a s n eed d ict a t es ?
• Wh a t m ot iva t ion a n d t r a in in g m et h od s sh ou ld b e em p loyed , a n d h ow a r e t h ey eva lu a t ed ?
• Ar e en v ir on m en t a l m a t t er s r a ised a s p a r t of socia l occa sion s, for exa m p le op en d ay s, t o sh ow w h a t t h e or ga n iza -t ion is d oin g?
• Is t h er e a r ecogn it ion s y st em for st a ff ? • Ar e st a ff en cou r a ged t o b ecom e
in volved in en v ir on m en t a l p r oject s? 3 A ccid en t a n d em ergen cy p r oced u res:
• Ar e t h er e a d eq u a t e con t in gen cy p la n s for d ea lin g w it h a ccid en t s a n d em er gen -cies?
• Is t h e p u blic r ela t ion s d e p a r t m en t r ea dy t o com m u n ica t e w it h em p loyees, n eigh b ou r s, t h e P r ess a n d ot h er s? • Ar e t h er e con t r ols t o en su r e t h a t on ly
P R st a t em en t s t h a t w ill st a n d u p t o in d e p en d en t s cr u t in y a r e p er m it t ed t o b e issu ed ?
Func tio nal are as
T h er e a r e sever a l a r ea s t o b e con s id er ed h er e: 1 M a rk etin g:
• Do m a r k et in g in it ia t ives cr ea t e or r ein -for ce t h e or ga n iza t ion ’s im a ge a n d r e p u t a t ion for it s con cer n w it h en v ir on -m en t a l issu es?
• Ar e p r od u ct s m a r k ed t o d r aw a t t en t ion t o t h eir en v ir on m en t a lly p osit ive fea -t u r es?
• Is t h e p a ck a gin g m a d e fr om en v ir on -m en t a lly a cce p t a ble -m a t er ia ls? • Ar e m a r k et in g ch a n n els s et u p by
a gr eem en t b et w een m a n u fa ct u r er s a n d d ist r ibu t ion t o m a k e r ecyclin g sy st em s p oss ible?
• If h igh er p r ices a r e a t t r ibu t a ble t o ecologica l fa ct or s, a r e t h e p r ice d iffer en t ia ls d u e t o t h e ecologica l fa ct or s h igh -ligh t ed ?
2 Pu blic rela tion s:
• Ar e en v ir on m en t a list gr ou p s a cce p t ed a s le git im a t e a lb eit cr it ica l ch a llen ger s t o t h e or ga n iza t ion ?
• Is t h er e a n op en d ia logu e w it h en v ir on -m en t a l gr ou p s w it h ou t a p r et en ce of b ein g gr een er t h a n is t h e ca se? • Ar e d ea ls avoid ed w it h en v ir on m en t a l
gr ou p s w h ich cou ld b e m iscon st r u ed a s b r ib es?
• Is a ccou n t t a k en of t h e exist en ce of t h e d iffer in g a n d s om et im es con fl ict in g op in ion s a m on g t h e Gr een m ovem en t ? • Ar e d evelop m en t s a n d sh ift s w it h in t h e
a gen d a s of t h e con s t it u en t s of t h e Gr een m ovem en t t r a ck ed ?
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• Is t h er e a m u lt i-la t er a l d ia logu e w it h t r a d e u n ion s, loca l a u t h or it ies, p olit ica l p a r t ies, ch u r ch es, cit izen a ct ion gr ou p s, con s er va t ion gr ou p s, a n d ot h er in t er -es t ed p a r t i-es ?
• Is t h er e a n a ct in g t oget h er w it h t h e bu s in ess com m u n it y t h r ou gh ch a m b er s of com m er ce, em p loyer s ’ a s s ocia t ion s, t h e Con fed er a t ion of Br it ish In d u st r y, t h e In s t it u t e of Dir ect or s a n d t h e lik e? • Ar e t h er e on goin g p u blic r ela t ion s
a ct iv it ies t o in clu d e:
– t h e is s u e of in for m a t ion b r och u r es ; – t h e or ga n izin g of r ou n d t a bles; – in v it a t ion s for fa ct or y or ot h er v is it s; – r e gu la r d is cu s sion s w it h p r es s u r e –gr ou p s ;
– r e p or t in g a n d en cou r a gem en t of – em p loyee in volvem en t in –en v ir on m en t a l in it ia t ives ;
– in for m a t ion p a ck s a n d p r ogr a m m es –for d iffer en t t a r get gr ou p s in t h e –com m u n it y, s u ch a s sch oolch ild r en , –s t u d en t s, wor k er s, p r ofes sion a l – b od ies, wom en , a n d r et ir ed p eop le; – r e gu la r lia ison w it h t h e p r es s ? 3 Fin a n ce:
• Is en v ir on m en t a l im p a ct t a k en in t o a ccou n t in a ll in ves t m en t d ecision s ? • Ar e et h ica l a n d gr een in ves t m en t s
ch os en w h er ever fea s ible?
• If a n in ves t m en t is lik ely t o in cr ea se p ollu t ion , h a s it b een in ves t iga t ed w h et h er t h er e is a low er p ollu t ion a lt er -n a t ive or w h et h er t h e lik ely cost s h ave b een in clu d ed in t h e p r oject cost in g? • Is s h or t -t er m is m avoid ed , w h er e a
lon ger t er m p er sp ect ive w ill lea d t o h igh er en v ir on m en t a l d iv id en d s? 4 Pr od u ction :
• H a s t h e ea r lier r e p la cem en t of exis t in g p r od u ct ion p la n t a n d t h e a cq u isit ion of n ew, n on -p ollu t in g m a ch in er y b een con s id er ed ?
• Ar e ecologica l m a t er ia ls a n d p r ocess es in u s e?
• Ar e clea n t ech n ologies, w it h b et t er in p u t -ou t p u t r a t ios, in u se?
• Ar e u s efu l m a t er ia ls a n d h ea t r ecov -er ed ?
• Ar e em is s ion s m in im ized by p ost -p r od u ct ion en v ir on m en t a l p r ot ect ion m ea -su r es ?
• Ca n r aw m a t er ia l sp ecifi ca t ion s b e a lt er ed w it h ou t u n d u ly a ffect in g p r od u ct q u a lit y a n d t o im p r ove en v ir on m en -t a l a s p ec-t s?
5 In su ra n ce:
• Ch eck w h a t in t r in sic d a m a ge cou ld en su e fr om en v ir on m en t a l r is k s. • Ch eck p ossible r isk s t o t h ir d p a r t ies
ca u sed by d a m a ge t o t h e en v ir on m en t . • Assess t h e r isk m a n a gem en t st r a t e gy,
a n d t h a t t h er e is a su it a ble m ix of a ssu m p t ion of r isk , t r a n sfer of r isk a n d in su r a n ce cover.
• Is t h er e a d eq u a t e in su r a n ce cover for : – bu sin es s in t er r u p t ion a n d con
se-q u en t loss;
– b or r ow in g n eed a s a r esu lt of st op -p a ge;
– r e p a ir a n d r e p la cem en t cost s; – clea n -u p cos t s
– off-sit e en v ir on m en t a l d a m a ge; – st a ff cla im s ;
– p u blic cla im s ; – le ga l fees;
– t h e d ea t h , in ca p a cit y or im p r ison -m en t of k ey s t a ff v it a l t o t h e s-m oot h op er a t ion of t h e or ga n iza t ion ? 6 In ter n a tion a l b u sin ess d iv ision s:
• Ar e exp or t s, im p or t s a n d for eign p r o-d u ct ion en v ir on m en t -or ien t eo-d ? • Br in g p r ess u r e t o a ch ieve ch a n ge? 7 L ega l d ep a r tm en t:
• Ar e a ll st e p s t a k en t o com p ly w it h offi-cia l r e gu la t ion s?
• Ar e en v ir on m en t a l d a m a ge a n d lia b il-it y r isk s k e p t t o a m in im u m ?
• Ar e solicit or s or b a r r ist er s em p loyed w h o a r e sp ecia list s in en v ir on m en t a l law ?
• If n ot , a r e su ch r esou r ces r ea d ily ava ila ble t h r ou gh t h e or gila n izila t ion ’s ext er -n a l le ga l a dv is er s?
Ope ratio nal fac to rs
Un d er op er a t ion a l fa ct or s, w e sh ou ld con -sid er :
1 Disch a rges (in clu d in g a ir, w a ter a n d n oise): Ar e p r ocess con t r ols a n d m a n a gem en t sy s t em s a d eq u a t e t o en s u r e com p lia n ce w it h le gisla t ion , fu t u r e ob ject ives a s w ell a s t o avoid com p la in t s?
2 S ite tid in ess:
• Ar e m ea su r es t a k en t o elim in a t e lit t er a n d sou r ces of u n t id in ess in sid e bu ild -in gs, ou t sid e a n d -in t h e im m ed ia t e su r r ou n d in gs?
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3 T ra n sp or t:
• Ar e s t a ff en cou r a ged t o u s e p u blic t r a n sp or t a n d cou ld you in cr ea se t h e ava ila b ilit y of p u blic t r a n sp or t by p r o-v id in g a d d it ion a l com p a n y -fu n d ed s er v ices ?
• Is t h er e a n in ven t or y of a ll m ea n s of t r a n sp or t u s ed by t h e or ga n iza t ion ? • Is t h e or ga n iza t ion u sin g t h e m os t
effi-cien t a n d en v ir on m en t a lly s ou n d s y s-t em s for s-t r a n sp or s-t in g good s, p eop le a n d m a t er ia ls?
• Ar e on ly low p ollu t ion veh icles p u r -ch a s ed ?
• Ar e exis t in g veh icles r e-eq u ip p ed a n d s er v iced w it h en v ir on m en t a l con s id er a -t ion s in m in d ?
4 Wa ter u se:
• Is t h er e a w a t er m a n a gem en t p olicy ? • Is t h er e a w a t er m a n a gem en t officer
r es p on s ible for im p lem en t a t ion ? • Is w a t er u sed efficien t ly ?
• Ar e r e gu la r r ev iew s ca r r ied ou t t o d et er m in e w a t er con su m p t ion , lea k a ge, a n d w a s t ew a t er p a t t er n s ?
• Ar e t h er e p er m a n en t m on it or s in s t a lled t o a ss es s u sa ge?
• Ar e ever t igh t er t a r get s set for t h e fu t u r e m a n a gem en t of w a t er ? • Is t h er e ev id en ce of a ch ievem en t a n d
im p r ovem en t ?
• Ca n you r ed u ce con s u m p t ion by u s in g a lt er n a t ive coolin g m et h od s or con t r ol-lin g lea k a ges m or e effect ively ?
• Ar e t h er e a lt er n a t ive su p p lies ava ila ble t h a t cou ld r ed u ce m et er ed cos t s: – s u r fa ce w a t er a b st r a ct ion ; – u s e of a b or eh ole;
– loca l gr ou n dw a t er ;
– ch ea p er n on -p ot a ble w a t er fr om a –loca l w a t er u t ilit y ?
• Wh er e p ossible, is in fer ior q u a lit y r eu s ed / t r ea t ed w a t er u sed for in d u s -t r ia l u ses su ch a s w a s h in g, p r e-r in s in g or in d ir ect coolin g of a p r od u ct ? • Is s u ch w a t er n on cor r os ive a n d n on
-s ca le p r od u cin g?
• Is p ip ewor k st r en gt h en ed w h er e t h er e a r e h igh p r ess u r es or t em p er a t u r es ? • Is p ip ewor k in s u la t ed w h er e t h er e a r e
ext r em es of t em p er a t u r e? • Is s oft or soft en ed w a t er – w it h it s
r ed u ced h ea t in g cos t s – u s ed w h er e a p p r op r ia t e?
• Is w a t er s t or ed on s it e a s a r isk -m a n a ge-m en t t a ct ic a ga in st in t er r u p t ion of s u p p ly ?
• If s o a r e con d it ion s in p la ce su ch a s t o s a fe gu a r d a ga in st con t a m in a t ion by m icr o-or ga n ism s a n d ot h er sou r ces ?
• Ar e t h er e r e gu la r in sp ect ion s for con t a -m in a t ion a n d loss t h r ou gh lea k a ge or eva p or a t ion ?
• Is op t im a l q u a lit y a n d q u a n t it y of w a t er for va r iou s p h a ses of t h e p r od u ct ion cycle a ch ieved a s p er m a n u fa ct u r er s’ r ecom m en d a t ion s for t h eir m a ch in er y a n d eq u ip m en t ?
• Ar e w a t er a n d en er gy -sav in g d ev ices fi t t ed in w a sh r oom s a n d t oilet s? • H ave w ay s b een sou gh t t o r ed u ce w a t er
u sa ge in w a s h in g p la n t , fl oor s a n d veh i-cles?
• Is r ecycled w a t er u sed w h er ever p ossi-ble w h en w a t er is u sed for or n a m en t a l, d ecor a t ive or h or t icu lt u r a l p u r p oses? • Ar e h oses fi t t ed w it h a u t om a t ic cu t -off
va lves? 5 R ecyclin g:
• Ar e a ll op p or t u n it ies con sid er ed ? • Cou ld r ed u n d a n t , u sed p r od u ct s b e
r ecycled ? 6 Wa ste:
• Ar e st e p s t a k en t o m in im ize, elim in a t e or r ecycle it ?
• Ar e r ecyclin g op p or t u n it ies b ein g lost by fa ilu r e t o se gr e ga t e d iffer en t t y p es of w a s t e?
• Is w a st e d isp osed of r esp on sibly ? 7 E n erg y u se:
• Ar e elect r icit y, st ea m , w a t er a n d ga s m et er ed a t t h e m a jor p oin t s of u se, a n d t a r get s set t o r ed u ce t h eir u sa ge? • Is fu ll u s e m a d e of a lt er n a t ive en er gy
sou r ces, su ch a s la n d fi ll ga s, w a st e-d er ivee-d fu el, sola r a n e-d w in e-d en er gy, a n e-d com b in ed h ea t a n d p ow er ?
• Ar e en er gy con ser va t ion sch em es in exist en ce a n d a d eq u a t e?
• Ar e bu ild in gs a n d p la n t p r op er ly in su la t ed ?
• Ca n sav in gs b e m a d e in h ea t in g a n d ligh t in g cost s?
8 Ca n teen food :
• Is h ea lt h y ea t in g en cou r a ged , a n d h ea lt h ed u ca t ion p r ov id ed ?
• Is n u t r it ion a l in for m a t ion p r ov id ed ? • Is a n im p r oved r a n ge of h ea lt h y d ish es
a n d d r in k s p r ov id ed ?
• Ar e t h er e sa fe gu a r d s t o en su r e food h ygien e?
9 Occu p a tion a l h ea lth a n d sa fety:
• Is t h er e a n occu p a t ion a l h ea lt h d e p a r t -m en t ?
• Does it p r ov id e a dv ice on p r a ct ica l a ccid en t a n d in ju r y p r even t ion ? • Does it look a ft er em p loyees’ p sych
o-logica l n eed s?
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• Does it a dv ise on st r es s r ed u ct ion a n d t im e m a n a gem en t ?
Data processing
T h e d a t a collect ed n eed t o b e a n a ly sed , a n d t h en p r es en t ed in a for m ea s ily u n d er s t ood a n d fr om w h ich clea r con clu sion s m ay b e d r aw n . P os sible con clu sion s s h ou ld b e d is cu ss ed w h er ever p os sible w it h t h e s t a ff d ir ect ly in volved .
Reporting
Sign ifi ca n t d efect s, a s soon a s id en t ifi ed , n eed t o b e r e p or t ed im m ed ia t ely t o t h e ch ief execu -t ive officer for q u ick a c-t ion . T h e m or e r ou -t in e fi n d in gs sh ou ld b e p r es en t ed t o t h e b oa r d of d ir ect or s a s a n “execu t ive su m m a r y ” a n d w it h clea r r ecom m en d a t ion s for a ct ion . T h es e s h ou ld in clu d e a n es t im a t e of cos t , r esou r ce n eed s, t h e op t im u m t im e for in t r o-d u ct ion , a n o-d w h en t h e n ext r ev iew s h ou lo-d t a k e p la ce. T h e b oa r d s h ou ld b e in v it ed t o a gr ee t h e r ecom m en d a t ion s, a n d a u t h or ize im p lem en t a t ion .
Implementation
T h e d ecis ion s n ow b ecom e p a r t of cor p or a t e p olicy a s a n a gr eed a ct ion p la n . T h is n eed s t o b e p u blicized ext en sively in t er n a lly a n d em p loyees m a d e aw a r e of t h e im p lica t ion s in t h eir ever yd ay wor k in g p r a ct ices. T h e a ct ion p la n w ill in clu d e d ea d lin es for a ct ion .
Post-audit review
A p er iod ic ch eck w ill b e m a d e t h a t t h e b oa r d d ecis ion s h ave b een fu lly im p lem en t ed , w it h a n y n on -com p lia n ce r e p or t ed b a ck t o t h e b oa r d . T h e op p or t u n it y w ill a ls o b e t a k en t o u n d er t a k e a q u a lit y a s su r a n ce r ev iew of t h e a u d it p r ocess it self.
British Standard 7750 –
environmental management
systems
T h e wor ld ’s fi r st en v ir on m en t a l m a n a gem en t sy s t em w a s p u blis h ed in M a r ch 1992. It is r ela t ed t o Br it is h St a n d a r d 5750/ ISO 9000, t h e q u a lit y m a n a gem en t s t a n d a r d , a n d t h er e is a t r a n s it ion r ou t e b et w een BS 5750 a n d BS 7750. E q u a lly it ca n st a n d a lon e for t h ose n ot r e gist er ed u n d er BS 5750. J u s gist a s BS 5750 w a s s u b -seq u en t ly a d op t ed wor ldw id e, it is p os sible t h a t t h e s a m e cou ld occu r h er e. BS 7750 p r ov id es a d et a iled gen er ic m od el of en ov ir on -m en t a l -m a n a ge-m en t t h a t a n or ga n iza t ion ca n u s e t o d evelop it s ow n in t er n a l m a n a gem en t
sy st em s. It is a s in gle d ocu m en t w h ich in clu d es:
• An in t r od u ct ion w h ich in d ica t es t h e ob jec-t ives of jec-t h e s jec-t a n d a r d a n d a sch em a jec-t ic a p p r oa ch t o im p lem en t a t ion .
• A sp ecifi ca t ion w h ich d efi n es t h e sy st em r eq u ir em en t s, fr om en v ir on m en t a l m a n -a gem en t sy st em d ocu m en t -a t ion -a n d im p le-m en t a t ion , t h r ou gh t o a u d it a n d le-m a n a ge-m en t r ev iew.
• T h r ee a n n exes giv in g cla u se by cla u se gu id a n ce t o t h e sp ecifi ca t ion r eq u ir em en t s (in clu d in g t h e in it ia l or p r elim in a r y en v i-r on m en t a l i-r ev iew ), a lin k t a ble t o BS 5750, a n d a lin k t a ble t o t h e E C eco a u d it r e gu la -t ion .
BS 7750 is con sist en t w it h t h e E C eco-a u d it sy st em , a n d m ay b e r e ga r d ed a s a fi r st st e p t ow a r d s it . Sh or t ly a ft er t h e la u n ch of BS 7750, a p ilot p r ogr a m m e w a s set u p, w it h feed b a ck in J u ly 1993 w h ich led t o fu r t h er m od ifi ca t ion s. Com p a n ies n eed t o con sid er t h e a dva n t a ges of u sin g t h is st a n d a r d a s a m ea n s of a ch iev in g t h eir en v ir on m en t a l m a n a gem en t ob ject ives, a n d r eceiv in g ob ject ive ext er n a l a u d it ev id en ce of t h eir fu lfi lm en t .
Conclusion
E n v ir on m en t a l m a n a gem en t is t h e eq u iva -len t t o t h e sa n it a r y m ovem en t in t h e Vict o-r ia n p eo-r iod t o w h ich so m u ch of t h e im p o-r ove-m en t of t h e h ea lt h of t h e p op u la t ion w a s ow ed . Alt h ou gh w e n ow h ave a t oler a ble sa n i-t a i-t ion sy si-t em , a n d m a ss e p id em ics fr om i-t h is sou r ce h ave b een er a d ica t ed , t h er e h a s b een a n e glect of en v ir on m en t a l con cer n s. T h e con -seq u en ces of n e glect h er e w ill b e m u ch m or e ser iou s t h a n t h e ea r ly n e glect of sa n it a t ion , w h ich im p a ct ed on t h e p oor es t of t h e h u m a n p op u la t ion . Wh a t n ow t h r ea t en s is t h e d es t r u ct ion of t h e en t ir e wor ld on w h ich w e live. T h e en v ir on m en t a l a u d it ou t lin ed is on e con t r ibu t ion t h a t a t t em p t s t o p r even t t h is. T h is is ever y b ody ’s r esp on sib ilit y – t h a t of b ot h in d iv id u a ls a n d t h e com p a n ies a n d or ga -n iza t io-n s i-n w h ich t h ey op er a t e.
References
1 Br on ow s k i, J ., T h e A scen t of M a n , Ch . 1. 2 In t er n a t ion a l Ch a m b er of Com m er ce, E n v ir on
-m en ta l A u d itin g, ICC, P a r is, 1989.
