Environmental Management Systems for the Construction Industry

by

Andrea Hills

Currently harmonized Environmental Management Systems (EMS) is generally taken in the business scene. As we know, environmental management systems first established in Japan (in the electronic industry) in the 1980’s and later spread out to USA and Europe. In latter places, EMS was used primarily by great harming establishments including chemical and power. Later on it was steadily brought in to other fields which had fewer environmental shocks.

A great number of construction businesses all around the world are experiencing a great number of environmental setbacks. Such as, strict and complex environmental laws and regulations, bringing up compliance costs and hefty penalties for violation could affect every construction company’s success regarding profitability and development. Apart from these rising situations, increasing public interest on environmental concerns has catalysed the construction enterprises to think in another way or look for state of the art techniques to strengthen or sustain their solvency.

In the same way, a great number of construction firms (either small or large) have demonstrated that a sensible EMS is not simply beneficial in many different ways but in addition a innovative tactic to remain competitive in a tremendously erratic sector.

Toward ecologically sustainable enhancement

The construction market creates streets, railways, schools, hospitals, local community and recreational functions and various installations that shape our built environment and contour our landscape. Up until recently, economic advancement, social regimens and environment protection came about mostly in seclusion from one another. These days, however, there is a rising understanding that these arrangements are interconnected and that social, economic and ecological targets are interdependent. Ecologically Sustainable Development has actually been described as: ‘using, conserving and enhancing the community’s resources so that ecological processes, on which life depends, are maintained, and the total quality of life, now and in the future, can be increased’.

It is a well-known reality that countless number of construction corporations internationally have exceptionally benefited through implementation of EMS. To illustrate, the benefits are many:

— Cutting down expenses due to judicious utilization of resources and waste minimization

— Ability to comply with rigorous environmental laws and regulations. Thus, reducing consequences, delays and refrain from fees and penalties.

— Ability to observe or observe environmental concerns concerning many phases of construction projects

— Increased competitiveness and discover market options simply by environmentally friendly construction programs available to environmentally sensitive patrons

— Facilitate highly effective correspondence and dialogue involving all stakeholders involved internally as well as externally. In other words, fostering better relationships with regulators or law enforcement agencies including the communities.

— Greater business image as a socially and ecologically accountable construction firm,

— Producing a highly involved (or encouraged) and responsible team or a open environmental crew inside of the group

A highly effective EMS signifies not merely always keeping the exterior working environment healthy but additionally maintaining a safe and healthy working situation through Occupational and Healthy (OH&S) procedures. Fundamentally, the previous will incorporate implementation of ISO14001 and the second incorporate occupational health and safety steps specified in OHSAS18002:2008. This demonstrates EMS and OH&S precautions should combine together for effective implementation of an EMS in a construction firm.

The ISO14001 international standards stipulates the precise prerequisites for an EMS. It basically applies to environmental issues which the construction firm has the control over and at the same time many of these issues can have an impact on its efficiency.

In simple terms, ISO14001 is a voluntary standard that may be used by any construction company. It mostly supports the business to carefully deal with construction actions that have a negative influence on the environment. Particularly, it consists of 17 elements or attributes grouped into five essential areas:

— Environmental Policy

— Planning

— Implementation and operation

— Checking and corrective action

— Management Review

Mainly, ISO14001 can help any kind of construction organization to abide by relevant environmental law regulations whilst boosting the environmentally connected tasks on a repeated basis.

Actually, any Environmental Management System (EMS) is a special management process which goes after Plan-Do-Check-Act model or method. It presents a strategy to ascertain all environmental aspects related to operations of a construction business. Also, it will help the entity in question not just to build up, implement, keep tabs on, review, and modify action plans and methods on frequent basis but moreover boost the construction company’s all round operations that have a direct effect on the environment.

A sound environmental procedure in construction ventures means:

Conducting for all projects a Comprehensive environmental impact analysis, encompassing all stages straight from inception right through to operation and, finally, decommissioning or demolition. All of the detected impacts must be removed (where possible) or mitigated through the lifecycle of the project.

Integrating during the entire project lifecycle the Environmental management principles and systems.

Applying Environmental consciousness strategies to make certain contractors can potentially complete their environmental management assignments and duties.

Resource preservation and management needs to be an important consideration at every stage from project inception right through to operations and, eventually, decommissioning or demolition.

The crucial need for effective environmental management is that environmental situations should be found, examined and maintained throughout every stage of a project’s life: from start off through design, building and operation to eventual demolition/disposal.

In summing up, EMS is mainly a management tool for modern construction company. With rapidly raising environmentally involved client base, any construction company must adjust a very good EMS in order to boost its market share or maintain its business. It will obviously gather well known gains such as:

— Improved environmental regulatory compliance requirements

— Minimise risks and liabilities

— Appreciably reduce or minimize waste and pollution

— Substantial cost savings through increased performance and motivated staff

— Establishes procedures or system for continual improvement

— Enhance corporate image among all stakeholders such as investors, potential customers, community groups and regulatory authorities.

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Environmental Management Systems for the Construction Industry