Operational Control Systems

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Operational Control Systems
~Dr Dilip Ganguly

Using Operational Control Systems

After aspect analysis, the significant and non-significant aspects are classified. Significant aspects and non-significant aspects are controlled by Operational Control Systems (OCS) commonly known as Operational Control Procedures (OCP). In addition to this, the significant aspects are improved. Find out more about Operational Control Systems.

Commonly Used Terms in Operational Control Systems

Preventive Action
This refers to the action used to eliminate the cause of a potential non-conformity or non-fulfillment of a particular requirement.

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

Significant aspects and non-significant aspects are controlled by Operational Control Systems

Procedure or System
A specified way to carry out an activity or a process.

Relevant Statement from Standards IS/ISO: 14001:2004

Sub-Clause No. 4.4.6: Operational Control Systems

Statement of the Clause
The organization shall identify and plan those operations that are associated with the identified significant environmental aspects consistent with its environmental policy, objectives and targets, in order to ensure that they are carried out under specified conditions, by:
a) Establishing, implementing and maintaining a documented procedure(s) to control situations where their absence could lead to deviation from the environmental policy, objectives and targets, and
b) Stipulating the operating criteria in the procedure(s), and
c) Establishing, implementing and maintaining procedures related to the identified significant environmental aspects of goods and services used by the organization and communicating applicable procedures and requirements of suppliers, including contractors.

Identification, Techniques and Case Studies with Formats

After aspect analysis, the significant and non-significant aspects are classified. Significant aspects and non-significant aspects are controlled by Operational Control Systems (OCS). In addition to this, the significant aspects are improved by drawing Environment Management Programmes (EMP).

Case Study: Operational Control Systems (OCS)

Activity: Transportation of Acid Through Pipelines

Identification of Aspects and Impacts (i.e., Identification of the Inputs and Outputs of a manufacturing process or operation)

Aspect/Input: Acidic fumes or gaseous emissions
Impact/Output: Liquid wastes by flow

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

Operational Control Systems for the Transportation of Acid Through Pipelines

1.
Check Points: Acid leaks are to be checked in every shift by shift staff, and those in charge of the building.
Key Characteristics: (a) Leakages of acid transferring lines through flange joints, holes, cracks, etc.
                                   (b) Leaking of service tanks or storage tanks.
Reference Record:   (a) General Logbook, Register No. Y
                                   (b) File No. YY

2.
Check Points: Emission of Fumes (Stack Analysis) are to be checked once a week by the laboratory.
Key Characteristics: Analysis of NO2 and SO2 from the chimney and the ambient air in the building.
Reference Record: Result of stack analysis is maintained in File No. ZZ.