Introduction
When you were introduced to COMAH in unit 5, you learnt that under COMAH regulations 1999 operators have to take all necessary measures to prevent major accidents, and in the event of such accidents limit the effects on people and the environment.
In other words, the COMAH regulations specifically recognise the link between Process Safety incidents and damage to the environment.
11.1
Environmental Management Systems
Environmental Impacts
An Environmental Management System (EMS) is a structured framework for managing an organisation's significant environmental impacts.
Key issues
Businesses must take responsibility for the environmental impacts of their activity. An EMS can be the practical tool to help them manage, evaluate and improve environmental performance in a verifiable way.
An EMS can help companies in four important ways:
-
Click on the targets to reveal the four accident prevention pillars.
-
? -
? -
? -
?
11.2
Environmental Management Systems
Environmental Impacts
Recognised standard or scheme
Important elements of an EMS
The tabs below contain some important advice and definitions, which you should read carefully, as they are closely linked to the learning process in this unit.
ImpactsEnvironmental impacts recognised standard or scheme
When implementing an EMS, organisations should consider the value of adopting a recognised standard or scheme, such as ISO 14001, the EU Eco Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) or the British Standard BS 8555.
Certification
If a recognised standard or scheme is adopted, then organisations should aim to achieve certification to provide independent recognition of performance by auditors accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS).
Continuous Improvement
An EMS should promote continuous improvement to protect the environment and help fight climate change, benefiting not only ourselves but future generations.
11.3
Environmental Management Systems
Environmental Impacts
What constitutes an effective EMS?
Be implemented at a strategic level and integrated into corporate plans and policies, so that all staff know their environmental responsibilities;
Assess the organisation’s environmental impacts and identify opportunities to reduce pollution to air and water, and produce less waste;
Set clear objectives and targets to minimise the significant environmental impacts;
Record environmental performance against targets and industry performance indicators to encourage continual improvement;
Ensure compliance with environmental legislation and take action to prevent and correct cases of non-compliance;
Ensure good resource management and encourage sustainable development;
Identify key interested parties and communicate company environmental performance to them clearly.
11.4
Environmental Management Systems
Environmental Impacts
What constitutes a major accident?
Within the COMAH regulations, a major accident is defined as:
“…an occurrence (including in particular, a major emission, fire or explosion) resulting from uncontrolled developments in the course of the operation of any establishment and leading to serious danger to human health or the environment, immediate or delayed, inside or outside the establishment, and involving one or more dangerous substances.”
Therefore, in developing the COMAH Safety Report, possible environmental effects must be considered and precautions taken to prevent such incidents occurring and mitigate the environmental impact.
-
For further reading click on the available resources.
Well done. You have reached the end of the course.
Click here for details about the Assessment or return to the Main Menu.