UNIT 2

Apply environmental management system practices

1. What is environmental Impact Assessment?

An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a report that evaluates the potential

environmental effects of projects anticipated to surpass defined thresholds of
adverse impact on the environment.

It is a process used to evaluate the environmental consequences of proposed

projects, policies, programs, or plans. The aim is to identify potential impacts on
the environment and communities, both positive and negative, before decisions
are made and actions are taken.

EIA helps decision-makers and stakeholders understand the environmental

implications of their actions and provides opportunities for mitigation or alternative
solutions to minimize adverse impacts. It is typically required for projects that are
expected to have significant environmental effects.

1. Environmental Aspect:

Our activities, products or services that can affect the environment.

a. Emission from cars and motorcycles.

b. Second hand smoke from smoking.
c. Wastage of metal pipes, PVC trunking or cables.

2. Environmental Impact:

a. Air pollution.
b. Land pollution.
c. Noise Pollution.
d. Depletion of natural resources.

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2. Steps to conduct Environmental Impacts and Aspects Assessment

Step 1: Aspect Identification

Step 2: Impact Evaluation
Step 3: Risk Control

Example:

Activity Environment Aspect Environmental

Impact
Potential spillage of Land Pollution
Topping up of gasoline
gasoline into vehicle Emission of diesel Air Pollution
vapour
Operation of diesel Emission of noise Noise Pollution
generator Emission of exhaust Air Pollution
fume

Printing of lecture Excessive use of Depletion of natural

notes papers
resources
Disposal of ink Land pollution
cartridge
Installation of Potential wastage of Depletion of natural
electrical PVC PVC trunking
trunking resources
Disposal of PVC Land pollution
trunking
Using chemical for Emission of chemical Air pollution
cleaning vapour
Disposal of chemical Land pollution
bottles
Installation of Excessive use of metal Depletion of natural
galvanised pipes
resources
Disposal of metal Land pollution

Table 1: Aspect & Impact

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 3. Identify Environmental Aspect

Identity all possible aspects relating to the products, services or activities

and consider how the environment is affected.

What should be considered?

3.1 Environment
• Air Emission
• Noise Emission
• Global Warming

3.2 Resources
• Depletion of natural resources

3.3 Water
• Discharge into main watercourse

3.4 Land
• Spillage
• Waste Management

3.5 Flora & Fauna

• Removal of plants
• Removal of species

3.6 Human
• Loss of lives
• Inhalation of toxic vapour

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4. Assessment of Severity

Identify and list all potential aspect relating to each work activity, taking into
consideration how the environment is affected.

Level Severity Description

•Multiple fatalities
•Widespread environmental damage affecting off-sites
5 Catastrophic
•Negative public image
•Breach of legislation

•Environmental damage affecting entire site

4 Major
•Concerns among the public on potential impact

•Environmental damage affecting department

3 Moderate •High resource use
•Concerns among interested parties of potential impact

•Localized environmental damage

2 Minor •Reasonable resource use
•Potential concern among interested parties

•Nuisance e.g. odour

1 Negligible •Insignificant environmental damage
•No concern from interested parties

Table 2: Assessment of Severity

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5. Assessment of Likelihood

Taking the existing risk controls and residual risks into consideration, rate
the likelihood the aspect may cause environmental impact.

Level Likelihood Description

5 Almost Certain Occurs daily.

4 Frequent Occurs occasionally and to be expected.

3 Occasional Occurs occasionally, but unexpected.

2 Remote Unlikely to occur but conceivable.

1 Rare Unlikely to occur, very low probability.

Table 3: Assessment of Likelihood

6. Risk Prioritization Number (RPN)

RPN = Severity x Likelihood

Table 4: RPN Table

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7. What does the RPN mean?

Table 5: Acceptability and recommended actions

8. Hierarchy of Control

Table 6: Hierarchy of Control

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9. Re-evaluation with Additional Controls

When additional controls are required, re-rate the value for Severity, Likelihood and
calculate the revised Risk Prioritisation Number (RPN). Record the revised value “Risk
Control” section in the “S”, “L” and “RPN” column of the environmental Impact & Aspect
form.

The revised value RPN should not be higher than the initial RPN. It is recommended that
the revised RPN to be kept within the low-risk zone when feasible.

Table 7: Environmental Aspect & Impact Assessment Form

10. Implementation Person and Date

A specific person should be identified to lead the implementation of the additional controls.
Record the person’s name in the “Implementation Person” column. The due date for
implementation is to be recorded in the “Due-Date” column. The role of the implementation
person must provide progress updates to the management.

11. What is ISO 14000?

It is a standard related to environmental management that exists to:

• Minimize negative effect to the environment.

o Minimise water pollution.
o Minimise land pollution.
o Minimise air pollution.
• Comply with applicable laws and regulations and other environmentally oriented
requirements.

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 • ISO 14000 Environmental management system family include:

o ISO 14001:2015 - Improve environmental performance.

o ISO 14004:2016 – General guidelines on implementation.
o ISO 14005:2019 – Guidelines for flexible approach to phased implementation.

11.1 Elements of ISO 14000

o Set objectives, targets and management programmes.

o Define roles and responsibilities.
o Communication of environmental management initiatives.
o Identification of aspect and impact of all activities.
o Identification and access to legal and other requirements.
o Evaluation of compliance.
o Operational controls.
o Emergency preparedness and response.
o Monitoring and measurement.
o Non-conformance, corrective and preventive action.
o Training and awareness.
o Control of records.
o Internal audit.
o Management review.

12. Internal Audit

The purpose of internal audit is to ensure that the environmental management

system conforms to the requirements of ISO 14001. Checklist is use to guide the
auditor in covering all areas of audit.

12.1 Audit Documentation and Communication:

The outcomes of the audit must be recorded and communicated to the relevant
Management overseeing the audited area. This ensures that the audit findings are
brought to their attention for further action.

12.2 Addressing Non-Conformances:

If any non-conformances are identified during the audit, the personnel responsible for
the area must:

o Identify the root causes behind these non-conformities.

o Promptly correct any issues.
o Implement corrective actions to eliminate the detected non-conformities.

12.3 Follow-Up Audits:

Subsequent follow-up audits should be conducted to verify that the corrective actions
have been taken and are effective in resolving the identified issues.

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