With the 2016 ISO 14001 environmental recertification audit looming on the horizon, it’s important that we all know our role in the site’s Environmental Management System (EMS). A large part of our Environmental Management System and ISO certification relies on the identification and management of our Environmental Aspects. An Environmental Aspect is any activity carried out at the mill that does or may have an impact on the environment. This can range from activities associated with production through to waste management.
For instance, flash drying has a direct, though relatively small impact on the environment through the use of natural gas to power the heaters. Thus the environmental aspects associated with this activity are air pollution …show more content…
Violation of Legal Requirements: if a release of a substance to the environment occurs does it have any legal connotations associated with it? Does it violate any laws, legislation, regulations, etc. For instance, a spill on site will fall under a certain code chapter. Spills that are in excess of the allowable maximum must be reported as per the code chapter. Failure to do so will result in a contravention.
4. Environmental Health and Safety Severity: can this activity not only adversely impact the environment, but is there a personnel safety issue attached to it? This is one of the most important factors we have included when revamping the aspect rating system as it takes into account safety issues associated with the aspect.
5. Control: what kind of controls do we have in place to reduce the impact or prevent an impact from occurring? An example of this is the secondary containment berm around the main fuel tanks. If a fuel tank springs a leak the fluid is contained within the berm rather than allowed to discharge to the environment.
6. Likelihood of Detection: How quickly will someone notice there has been a discharge or spill? For instance, a leak from an above ground chemical storage tank will be notice much faster than a small leak from an underground
For instance, flash drying has a direct, though relatively small impact on the environment through the use of natural gas to power the heaters. Thus the environmental aspects associated with this activity are air pollution …show more content…
Violation of Legal Requirements: if a release of a substance to the environment occurs does it have any legal connotations associated with it? Does it violate any laws, legislation, regulations, etc. For instance, a spill on site will fall under a certain code chapter. Spills that are in excess of the allowable maximum must be reported as per the code chapter. Failure to do so will result in a contravention.
4. Environmental Health and Safety Severity: can this activity not only adversely impact the environment, but is there a personnel safety issue attached to it? This is one of the most important factors we have included when revamping the aspect rating system as it takes into account safety issues associated with the aspect.
5. Control: what kind of controls do we have in place to reduce the impact or prevent an impact from occurring? An example of this is the secondary containment berm around the main fuel tanks. If a fuel tank springs a leak the fluid is contained within the berm rather than allowed to discharge to the environment.
6. Likelihood of Detection: How quickly will someone notice there has been a discharge or spill? For instance, a leak from an above ground chemical storage tank will be notice much faster than a small leak from an underground