Environment

WHAT IS AN ENVIRONMENTAL AUDIT?

An audit is the systematic, periodic, documented, objective assessment of an activity for compliance with legal requirements, codes of practice and policies. It assists in determining whether the activity can be improved in order to protect the environment and to minimise waste.

An audit generally encompasses management practices, systems and plant. It is a management tool and is not an end in itself. Therefore, unless its recommendations are acted upon, it does not of itself produce an improved result.

To ensure that audit criteria are met, the audit follows a systematic, structured approach. The audit should be repeated periodically to assess progress.

An audit requires "verification" of evidence, for example by document review, interviews and personal inspections by the auditor. Through this verification of evidence the auditor becomes satisfied that the evidence does or does not conform to the audit criteria.

An audit should also assess the level of risk faced by the organisation and its Directors in order to prioritise action items and to take cost effective precautions.

An audit does not involve taking measurements. It assesses whether measurements should be done, or whether the results already obtained are adequate or meet the requirements.

BENEFITS OF AN AUDIT

In addition to checking compliance with current environmental and occupational legislation there are other benefits of conducting an audit.

There are strict liability provisions and penalties for Directors under environmental legislation. This legislation is now being imposed and enforced, and it is unlikely insurance can be gained against incurring a penalty.

An environmental audit is useful as part of a risk management procedure. It is also useful as a method of being seen to be environmentally responsible. Although most audits extend only to the site operations, at a later date they may be extended to all operations including purchasing of environmentally friendly inputs and products.

The following list gives some of the benefits likely to be derived from the audit:

• A review and development of the Company’s environmental policy
• Identification of compliance with legal requirements, licences and standards,and of areas where action should be taken
• A review of existing management and operations practices
• A minimisation of environmental risk
• A review of emergency response procedures
• Identification of actions to improve working conditions
• Identification of actions to reduce potential hazards
• Identification of environmental training needs
• Identification of requirements for company written procedures and documentation

The need for an audit is signalled by negative answers to the following:

• Has an environmental audit been carried out previously
• Does the organisation operate without the use of chemicals
• Is there an environmental management plan
• Is there a specific budget for environmental issues
• Are Directors and Managers aware of their legal obligations and liabilities
• Is environmental training provided to staff
• Does the Company have a written environment policy
• Has a person with management responsibility been appointed in writing
• Has the Company operated without prosecution

HOW IS AN AUDIT CONDUCTED?

The steps in conducting an audit are:

Pre Audit Planning

This is the stage where checklists of documents needed are drawn up, and the questions to be explored are planned. An individualised checklist or audit protocol will be drawn specifically for a particular situation.

Inform Site

We ask that you inform relevant people so that when we visit people will understand they should assist. We will also require access to all areas.

Audit Interview

This interview is conducted at the start of our visit. The interview will be structured with questions relating to all areas to be explored.

Site Inspection

Following the interview the auditor will inspect the site. We ask questions as we inspect and we may also take photographs.

Audit Data

During the audit a great deal of working papers are accumulated. These are copied, the copies numbered and placed in ring binders.

Verification

Following the collection of information and the site inspection the auditor verifies that activities are conducted according to written criteria contained in the Legislation, licences and procedures. Where written criteria are absent, this will be noted. Further questions or observations may be necessary during this phase.

Evaluate Findings

The auditor evaluates their findings by comparing what does exist against what should exist, why the difference occurs, and the impact of that difference.

Exit Interview

An exit interview is conducted, if possible with the same person who attended the initial interview. Here preliminary findings will be presented and discussed.

Reports

A draft Report is submitted for comment. If no response is received within one month a final Report issues.

ARE THERE ALTERNATIVES?

Some Clients do not want a full audit. They require a blend of an Environmental Review and Consultancy. This is often the case where no audit has been done before, where problems are suspected, but where there has yet been no measurement.