Environmental Management Program

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Environmental Management Program
~Dr Dilip Ganguly

An Introduction to the Environmental Management Program

After aspect analysis, the significant and non-significant aspects are classified. The significant aspects and non-significant aspects are controlled by Operational Control Procedures (OCP). In addition to this, the significant aspects are improved by drawing up an Environmental Management Program (EMP).

Commonly Used Terms in an Environmental Management Program

Continual Improvement
The recurring process of enhancing the Environmental Management Program to achieve improvements in the overall environmental performance in line with the organization’s environmental policy.

Environmental Objective
Overall environmental goal, arising from the environmental policy that an organization sets itself to achieve and which is quantified where practicable.

Significant aspects are improved by drawing up objectives, targets and an environmental management program

Environmental Target
Detailed performance requirement applicable to the organization or parts thereof, that arises from the environmental objectives and that needs to be set and met in order to achieve those objectives.

Prevention of Pollution
The use of processes, practices, materials or products that avoid, reduce or control pollution. This may include recycling, treatment, process changes, control mechanisms, efficient use of resources and material substitution.

Relevant Statement from Standards IS/ISO: 14001:2004

Sub-clause No. 4.3.3: Objectives, Targets and Program(s):

The organization shall establish, implement and maintain documented environmental objectives and targets, at relevant functions and levels within the organization.

The objectives and targets shall be measurable where practicable and consistent with the environmental policy, including the commitments to prevention of pollution, to compliance with applicable legal requirements and with other requirements to which the organization subscribes, and to continual improvement.

When establishing and reviewing its objectives and targets, an organization shall take into account the legal requirements and other requirements to which the organization subscribes and its significant environmental aspects. It shall also consider its technological options, its financial, operational and business requirements, and the views of interested parties.

The organization shall establish, implement and maintain a environmental management program for achieving its objectives and targets. Environment management programs shall include:
-Designation of responsibility for achieving objectives and targets at relevant functions and levels of the organization, and
-The means and time frame by which they are to be achieved.

Environmental Management Program: A Case Study

Activity: Transportation of Acid Through Pipelines

Identification of Aspects/Impacts (Inputs and Outputs of a manufacturing process or operation):

Aspect/Input: Acid through pipelines
Impact/Output: Liquid wastes by flow

Process: Transportation of acid through pipelines.
Aspect: Leakage from joints/holes cracks of acid lines.
Non-Significant Aspect: Drop-wise leakage
Significant Aspect: Heavy leakage

Evaluation of Environmental Aspect

1.
Aspect: Drop-wise leakage from the joints, holes or cracks of acid lines.
Evaluation of Impact (Severity of Impact Scale: 1-5; Trivial-1, Fatal –5): 2
Legal and Other Required Regulations: Legal
Significant/Non-significant: Non-significant
OCP No.: OCP D/N No. 01

2.
Aspect: Heavy leakage or pouring out from joints, holes or cracks of acid lines.
Evaluation of Impact (Severity of Impact Scale: 1-5; Trivial-1, Fatal –5): 3
Legal and Other Required Regulations: Legal
Significant/Non-significant: Significant
OCP No.: OCP D/N No. 01

3.
Aspect: Spillage of acid in case of overflow from tanks.
Evaluation of Impact (Severity of Impact Scale: 1-5; Trivial-1, Fatal –5): 2
Legal and Other Required Regulations: Legal
Significant/Non-significant: Non-significant
OCP No.: OCP D/N No. 01

4.
Aspect: Emission of fumes
Evaluation of Impact (Severity of Impact Scale: 1-5; Trivial-1, Fatal –5): 2
Legal and Other Required Regulations: Legal
Significant/Non-significant: Non-significant
OCP No.: OCP D/N No. 01

After aspect analysis, the following steps are carried out:
1. Significant aspects and non-significant aspects are controlled by operational control procedures (OCP).
2. Significant aspects are improved by drawing up objectives, targets and an environmental management program.

Environmental Objectives and Targets

Environmental Management Program (EMP) analysis consists of the following:
Objective: Leakage of acid from pipelines during transportation from one section to the other.
Present Status: Leakage occurs with every shift in production
Target: Identification of the cause of the leakage and taking remedial steps
Responsibility: Section Head (HOS)/ Production Section

Format Form:
A. Sl. No.: 01
B. Objectives: Leakage of acid from pipeline
C. Targets:
     a. Description: Leakage of acid takes place every shift
     b. Quantity (Consumption/Usage)
          i. Present: Daily Leakage
          ii. Achievable: No leakage for six days
          iii. Eliminate/Reduce: Reduce
          iv. Performance Indicator:
              -Short term: Reduce leakage by welding
              -Long Term: No leakage for 6 days by changing the material used in the construction of pipelines
     c. Responsibility: Section Head
D. Reference Document: Environmental Management Program, EMP No. 1

Environmental Management Program

Objective: Leakage from acid pipelines during transportation from one section to other
Present Status: Leakage in every shift
Target: Stop leakage for 6 days
            -Short Term: Welding.
            -Long Term: Changing the material of construction of the pipelines
Responsibility: Section Head (HOS)/Production
Format Form:
A. Sl No.: 01
B. Activity:
     a. Short term
         1. Finding cost for frequent heavy leakage:
             -Responsibility:
             -Target date:
             -Present status:
         2. Putting up a proposal for better welding to arrest leakage and sanction of authority:
             -Responsibility:
             -Target date:
             -Present status:
         3. Issuing instructions for welding technique to be used to all concerned, and job completion:
             -Responsibility:
             -Target date:
             -Present status:
     b. Long term
         1. Testing the material of construction of pipeline supplied
             -Responsibility:
             -Target date:
             -Present status:
         2. Study for better compatible pipeline:
             -Responsibility:
             -Target date:
             -Present status:
         3. Put up a proposal for changing the acid pipeline and getting an approval:
             -Responsibility:
             -Target date:
             -Present status:
         4. Work to start by and to be completed by:
             -Responsibility:
             -Target date:
             -Present status:

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