developing an environmental management system (ems) approach for agriculture and agribusiness –...
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Developing an Environmental Management System (EMS) Approach for Agriculture and Agribusiness – EMS Basics
December 18, 2000
Beth GravesEMS Project Coor.
NC Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance
August 28, 2000
The Progressive FarmerBy necessity and inclination, U.S. farmers are early adapters. Here's a look at the latest in high-tech down on the farm.
By CARLENE HEMPELThe News & Observer
What is an EMS? Systematic way of managing an
organization’s environmental affairs Based on Plan-Do-Check-Act Model
(PDCA) Focused on Continual Improvement of
System Addresses immediate and long-term impact
of an organization’s products, services and processes on the environment.
A tool to improve environmental performance
Policy
Planning
ImplementationCheckingCorrective Action
ManagementReview
EMS Model – Plan, Do, Check, Act
Why Implement an EMS?
Helps to identify the causes of environmental problems.– better to make a product right the
first time– cheaper to prevent a spill– cost effective to prevent pollution
Trade and competitive issues– marketing tool
Why Implement an EMS? Struggling to stay in compliance and
keep track of regulations/laws Environmental management just one of
many responsibilities Employee turnover Establish a framework to move beyond
compliance Vehicle for positive change; improved
employee morale, enhanced public image
Much of an EMS may already be in place
Build on What’s There Animal Waste Management Plans Best Management Practices (BMPs) On Farm Assessment Program
(available to pork producers) EMS Templates being developed
– Beef, poultry, dairy New programs – ex. United Egg
Producers Project XL agreement
ISO 14001 Model – Required Elements
Env. Policy 4.2 Document control 4.4.5
Env. Aspects 4.3.1 Operational control 4.4.6
Legal and other req. 4.3.2 Emergency preparedness and response 4.4.7
Obj. and targets 4.3.3 Monitoring and measurement 4.5.1
Env. Mgmt. Program 4.3.4 Corrective/preventive action 4.5.2
Structure and Responsibility 4.4.1 Records 4.5.3
Training, awareness, and competence 4.4.2
EMS audit 4.5.4
Communication 4.4.3 Management Review 4.6
EMS documentation 4.4.4
Becoming ISO 14001 certified ISO 14001 is the only certification standard Registration body examines EMS for
conformity to the ISO 14001 standard Not a compliance audit, an EMS audit Facility awarded registration Does NOT mean that products are more
environmentally friendly Does mean have a documented EMS that is
fully implemented and consistently followed
Policy Statement Identification of Significant
Environmental Impacts Development of Objectives and Targets Implementation Plan to Meet Obj. and
Targets Training Management Review
How you meet elements is up to you.
Key EMS Elements/Framework
An organization evaluates and addresses its own significant aspects, including non-regulated aspects
May be positive or negative Examples:
Aspect – Pesticide Container Recycling Impact -- Conservation of natural resources
Aspect – Engine operations Impact – Degradation of air quality
Aspect and Impacts
Consider: Air emissions Solid/hazardous waste Contamination of land Noise, vibration and odor Water effluents Land use, energy use, water use Raw material and resource use Positive environmental issues
Aspects and Impacts
Encampment
Lead Responsibility - Fish and Wildlife Division, Compliance Division, and Planning Division
Environmental Aspects
Input (raw material and labor)
Conservation
Soil disturbance leading to Erosion and SedimentationAccidental Spillage - Vehicle /Helicopter/Equipment fluidsGray water
Soil disturbance leading to Erosion and SedimentationAccidental Spillage - Vehicle/Helicopter/Equipment fluidsGray water
Accidental Spillage - Vehicle/Helicopter/Equipment fluidsGray water
Fuel Consumption - Use of a Nonrenewable ResourceTraining within a Natural Environment (Plant, Wildlife, Wetlands)Training within species habitat
Disposal of Spill ResidueDisposal of Solid WasteDisposal of Hazardous Waste
Particulate Matter from Operating Vehicles Off-roadAir Emissions from equipment and vehiclesOutdoor burning - PM
Surface Water Impacts
Waste Impacts
Soil Impacts
Air Impacts
Groundwater Impacts
Resource Impacts
Nuisance Impacts
Marine Corps ISO 14001 Pilot Project
From Environmental Concerns such as: regulatory/legal exposure health risk/people resource conservation
To Business Concerns such as: effect on the public image/community cost savings cost recovery period equipment/facility
Significance Scoring --Prioritize
Also may consider issues such as: scale of impact duration of impact zone of impact probability of occurrence or likelihood -
frequent, likely, possible, rarely, unlikely severity of impact - catastrophic, severe,
moderate, minor
Significance Scoring (cont.)
Setting legal framework for the EMS identify and access legal requirements
(federal, state, local) keep up-to-date communicate to the right people
Legal Environmental Requirements
Objectives &Targets- Continual Improvement
Establish and maintain environmental objectives and targets.
Can include commitment to:– reduce waste – reduce or eliminate release/spill of a
pollutant– design product/operations to minimize
environmental impact in production, use, and disposal.
Objectives &Targets
Keep objectives simple, flexible, and measurable.
Be realistic. Considerations:
– legal and other requirements– significant env. aspects– technological options– financial requirements– operational requirements– business requirements– views of interested parties
EMS Example
Policy : Improve the environmental quality of the workplace
Objective: Improve indoor air quality by reducing solvent odors
Target : Reduce solvent odors (VOC levels) by 90% by mid 2001.
Set Environmental Mgmt. Program
Env. Mgmt. Program Plan: Switch to water cleaning process Action- Substitute water-based cleaning
process for vapor degreasing process Responsibilities - Process Engineering Schedule -
Bench top trials - 2 months (date)Full scale pilot - 3 months (date)Implementation period - 1 month (date)
Resources needed - 1 FTE for 4 mon. Est. Budget $12,000
Implementation
Structure/responsibility Training, awareness, & competence Communication (internal/external) Env. Mgmt System Documentation and
control where needed Operational control (ex. maintenance) Emergency preparedness
and response
Monitoring and Measuring –How are you doing?
Establish procedures to monitor and measure key operations that can have a significant impact on the environment.
Track how well the system
is working Analyze root causes of problems
Are you meeting your EMS requirements?
How will you run an EMS audit program?
EMS Internal Auditing
Management Review Collect information to evaluate EMS Review EMS to ensure its continuing
effectiveness Consider changes – continual improvement
DPPEA offers free on-site EMS
assistance and training DPPEA EMS web site
http://www.p2pays.org/iso/index.htm
Beth Graves
EMS Project Coor.
800-763-0136 or 919-715-6506
For More Information