Element 2 Environment Management System Flashcards
Why is management commitment so important when implementing an environmental management system
Implementation of an EMS can involve substantial resources such as time money facilities and people such resources are only likely to be available if management are committed to the project and allocate these resources
if management support the project as being a priority all staff will treat it as a priority
Management are the key to education, training and information
What is environmental policy
An environmental policy is a public declaration by a senior management of an organisation of their commitment to protecting the environment it should set out the organisations intention regarding the environment and its Foundation upon which the environment management system can be built
It must reflect the reality of the activities that the organisation undertakes and it must be a catalyst for action by the organisation and effective and active policy provides and environmental framework within all decisions can be made
What are the seven key stages within ISO 14001 environmental management system
Context of organisation
Leadership
Planning
Support
Operation
Performance evaluation
Improvement
Who should prepare and endorse
the environmental policy
Responsibility for preparing and endorsing a written environmental policy rest with the organization’s senior director or senior manager who is also responsible for ensuring that it is implemented reviewed at appropriate intervals and updated when necessary
List any three of the main inputs into a management review of an environmental management system
Results of internal audits and evaluations of accomplice with legal or other requirements
communication from interested external parties including complaints
the environmental performance of the organisation
the extent to which objectives and targets have been met
the status of private insurance and corrective actions
follow up actions from previous management reviews
changing circumstances including developments in legal and other requirements
recommendations for improvement
What factors should be considered when deciding how frequently environmental inspection should be held
The purpose of the inspection
any frequency impose by regulations such as discharge consents and environmental permits
the level of risk to the environment
conditions found at the last inspection
What should be the minimum requirements for someone carrying out an environmental inspection
An understanding of the tools of the workplace inspections their advantages and disadvantages and how to use them
and understanding of the process or activity being inspected
knowledge of the potential environmental impacts from the processor activity
knowledge of the standards that are acceptable
basic report writing ability or ability to use a checklist
Explain the difference between an environmental audit and environmental inspection
Audits:
Pre planned
Systematic
Objective assessments
Evidence that a policy is in place and being followed
List three benefits associated with the implementation of a certified EMS developed to the 14001 standard
Benefits
Increase compliance with legislative requirements
competitive Edge over non-certified businesses
improved management of Environmental risk
increased credibility that comes from Independent assessment
savings from reduced non-compliance with environmental regulations
heightened employee shareholder and supply-chain satisfaction and morale
meeting modern environmental ethics
streamlining and reducing environmental assessments and audits
increased resource productivity
List three limitations associated with the implementation of a certified EMS developed to the 14001 standard
Prescriptive environmental performance levels and not included within the standard
improvements in environmental performance can be negligible
lack of public reporting and like other intentionally recognised management system
inconsistency of ISO auditors
implementing an EMS may have a high cost implications for a small and medium-sized Enterprise
