Tel: 01782 894 912
Email: office@plas-fit.co.uk
Last updated: 06/08/2024
1. Purpose
The purpose of this procedure is to identify, evaluate, and manage environmental risks associated with Plas-Fit UK’s operations. This procedure ensures that potential environmental impacts are systematically assessed and mitigated to minimise harm to the environment and to comply with relevant environmental regulations.
2. Scope
This procedure applies to all operations, activities, and processes conducted by Plas-Fit UK. It covers all employees, contractors, and stakeholders involved in our business operations.
3. Definitions (in association with our Landlord)
* Environmental Risk: The potential for an activity or operation to cause harm to the environment.
* Risk Assessment: The systematic process of evaluating the potential risks that may be involved in a projected activity or undertaking and reporting to our Landlord to rectify.
4. Responsibilities
* Management: Responsible for overseeing the implementation of the risk assessment procedure and ensuring compliance.
* Environmental Manager/Officer: Responsible for conducting risk assessments, maintaining records, and reporting findings to management.
* Employees: Responsible for participating in risk assessments and implementing recommended control measures.
5. Procedure
5.1 Identification of Environmental Aspects and Impacts
• Identify all activities, products, and services that could have an impact on the environment.
• Document the environmental aspects (elements of an activity that can interact with the environment) and potential impacts (changes to the environment resulting from the aspect).
5.2 Risk Assessment Process
Hazard Identification
* List all potential environmental hazards associated with each identified aspect.
* Consider factors such as emissions, waste, resource consumption, spills, and biodiversity impacts.
5.3 Risk Analysis
* Evaluate the likelihood of each hazard occurring (e.g., rare, unlikely, possible, likely, almost certain).
* Assess the severity of the potential impact (e.g., insignificant, minor, moderate, major, catastrophic).
* Use a risk matrix to determine the risk level (e.g., low, medium, high, critical).
5.4 Risk Evaluation
* Compare the risk levels against acceptable risk criteria.
* Prioritise risks that require immediate attention and mitigation.
5.5 Risk Control and Mitigation
* Identify and implement appropriate control measures to mitigate identified risks.
* Elimination: Remove the hazard entirely.
* Substitution: Replace the hazardous activity or material with a less harmful one.
* Engineering Controls: Implement physical controls to reduce risk (e.g., containment, ventilation).
* Administrative Controls: Develop procedures and training to manage risk (e.g., spill response plans).
* Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Provide appropriate protective gear to employees.
5.6 Monitoring and Review
* Regularly monitor the effectiveness of control measures.
* Conduct periodic reviews of the risk assessment process to ensure it remains relevant and effective.
* Update risk assessments in response to changes in operations, new information, or incidents.
5.7 Documentation and Reporting
* Maintain records of all risk assessments, including identified hazards, risk evaluations, control measures, and monitoring results.
* Report significant findings and recommended actions to management.
* Ensure that all documentation is accessible to relevant employees and stakeholders.
6. Training and Awareness
* Provide training to employees on the environmental risk assessment procedure and their roles and responsibilities.
* Ensure that employees understand the importance of identifying and managing environmental risks.
7. Emergency Preparedness and Response
* Develop and maintain emergency response plans for identified environmental risks.
* Conduct regular drills and training to ensure preparedness for environmental incidents.
8. Continuous Improvement
* Encourage feedback from employees and stakeholders to improve the risk assessment process.
* Integrate lessons learned from incidents and near-misses into the risk management strategy.
By following this Environmental Risk Assessment Procedure, Plas-Fit UK ensures a proactive approach to managing environmental risks, protecting the environment, and enhancing our sustainability performance.
This Policy is communicated to all employees and integrated it into our training programs.
Contact Information:
For any questions or concerns about this policy, please contact Plas-Fit UK on 01782 894 912.