ENVIRONMENTAL RISK ASSESSMENT OF INDUSTRIAL PREMISES - AUDITING COUNCIL POLICY ppt

Trim ref Z11/7527 1 ENVIRONMENTAL RISK ASSESSMENT OF INDUSTRIAL PREMISES - AUDITING COUNCIL POLICY BACKGROUND Work undertaken by Council to investigate the performance of industrial o

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ENVIRONMENTAL RISK ASSESSMENT OF INDUSTRIAL PREMISES - AUDITING

COUNCIL POLICY

BACKGROUND

Work undertaken by Council to investigate the performance of industrial operations and their potential to impact on the immediate environment has clearly demonstrated the need for a system of environmental risk assessment and control (environmental auditing) to be introduced This finding is not unique to the City of Wollongong and a good deal of attention has been given in recent times to the development of a process which can be applied This process needs to be practical from the industry perspective, but from Council’s point of view, it needs to satisfy community concerns to protect local ecosystems and the environment generally

OBJECTIVE

1 Review the existing management and operation practices of industry throughout the City

2 Minimise environmental risk by providing guidance to industrial operators and by identifying sources

of pollution potential

3 Create an inventory (ie computer data base) of the quantities, types and location of hazardous

materials stored within the City

4 Provide Council with a valuable resource which will assist in the investigation of pollution events

POLICY STATEMENT

Council will introduce an ongoing system of environmental auditing of industrial premises throughout the City

to assist in the protection of the environment by minimising risk and the potential to pollute, with the potential

to reduce operators' insurance premiums and to provide for other operational cost savings

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STATEMENT OF PROCEDURES

Environmental auditing should offer guidance for industrial operators where it is required, with a view to identifying environmental and health risks, and should form the basis for agreements to be reached which will address those risks within a reasonable time frame From a community point of view, environmental auditing

is an effective mechanism to assist in securing a thriving local environment for the benefit of present and future generations

In addition to meeting the objectives stated in the above Policy Statement, it is envisaged that the audit will be effective in achieving the following:

1 Verify that adequate environmental control systems are being competently applied throughout the

City

2 Ensure that environmental management programs become part of the business plan of the industry

under investigation

3 Make industry aware of their liabilities with regard to environmental protection and encourage them

to provide a means of developing a mechanism to manage these liabilities

4 Encourage industry to develop programs designed to manage risks on their sites and not just

programs aimed at avoiding penalties

5 Focus the attention of industry on the monitoring of safety, health and the environmental issues and

to recognise that they are a part of the management of a business and, as such, one of their prime responsibilities

METHOD

The Local Government Act 1993 clearly sets out an environmental charter for Councils in the following terms:

“to properly manage, develop, protect, enhance and conserve the environment of the area for which it is responsible.”

To respond to this charter, a process of review of industrial operations is proposed involving the inspection of premises to assess a range of factors which have the potential to pose a risk to persons, property or the environment This process will be referred to as environmental auditing

The factors to be examined during the environmental audit process should include:

1 Materials used - quantities, properties and storage

2 Controls in place - hazards, operating system, emergency plans

3 Impact area - nearby physical features, areas of sensitivity

Each inspection is to take place with the presence of a representative of the occupant to maximise understanding of the environmental issues and to provide guidance where necessary

Having identified the potential risks, an agreed program of improvements is to be negotiated Improvements requiring substantial capital expenditure may need to be staged, but generally the agreed program would be developed to address issues on a priority basis having regard for protection of the local environment and public health

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Where no agreement can be reached, Council reserves the right to order the identified improvements to be undertaken within a reasonable period of time

An inspection fee is appropriate for each inspection undertaken as part of the environmental auditing process

or as necessary follow up This fee should be applied in all cases whether or not the inspection is requested

by the industrial operator or owner of the premises This fee shall be as determined by Council from time to time and shall cover Council’s reasonable costs associated with environmental audit inspections Section 608

of the Local Government Act 1993 provides Council with the power to resolve this fee

It is estimated that environmental audit of industrial premises will be undertaken at least once in each three (3) year period throughout the City

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SUMMARY SHEET

DATE ADOPTED ON BEHA F OF C UNCIL 12 February 1996

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