Company policies and procedures
It is important to note that on some sites there may be more than one company's environmental policy in place. In these instances, you'll need to have a good understanding of all the policies that apply.
For example, if you're a contractor working at a site controlled by another entity, such as the forest owner, it won't be just your own environmental policy you'll be applying – you'll also be working under the direction of theirs.
All forest companies have policies and procedures to cover environmental management issues. They are usually documented in an Environmental Management System (EMS). Let's look at the make-up of policies, procedures and EMSs in more detail.
Policies
Whatever the size of your operation, chances are that you will have a dedicated Environmental Policy. This document will outline the intent of the organisation in regard to environmental issues. A forest grower, for example, is likely to have statements that say:
- Senior management is committed to establishing, growing and harvesting forest areas in an ecologically sustainable way.
- Operational activities will be carried out with a focus on minimising damage to the surrounding environment.
- The company will work to ensure that the community's well being is preserved and their needs and expectations are respected.
Procedures
Procedures are the methods specified by the company to carry out particular activities, designed to ensure that the operations will meet the policy objectives. They may vary from simple instructions to complex guidelines, depending on the level of risk involved and scope of the task being described.
Environmental procedures are normally incorporated into general work procedures, such as Job Safety Analyses (JSAs) or Safe Operating Procedures (SOPs). This helps to ensure that they are embedded into all operational procedures.
Environmental Management Systems
An EMS is a formal way of managing the operation's systems of minimising environmental harm. It generally contains processes for:
- preventing or reducing pollution
- complying with laws and regulations
- identifying the roles and responsibilities for different personnel involved in the operation
- improving the public's perception of the activities being carried out
- identifying issues and developing solutions before new operations begin
- training and research to improve environmental performance.
Learning Activity
Site supervisors and managers need to have a good understanding of the strong links that exist between a company's legislative obligations and the policies and procedures it develops for its own operations. The objective of this exercise is to trace back a law or regulation to the policies and procedures you implement at work.
- Choose a specific environmental law or regulation imposed by the government, or a guideline developed by a government regulatory body. Quote the main clause you have chosen, and provide a reference to its source.
- Find the company policy that reflects the requirements of this clause, and either quote the policy clause or paraphrase its main aims.
- Select a documented workplace procedure that provides an example of how the company policy is implemented in practice. State the title of the procedure and briefly describe it. Also identify who is responsible for the different aspects of implementation.
- Think about the possible consequences of not correctly implementing this procedure. Briefly describe the potential risks to the business, the employees, the environment, or the local community.
Share your example with your trainer and/or other learners in your group. You may wish to do this through group emails or via a social networking site.
Provide feedback on the examples given by other members of the group.
- Do you have similar policies to other examples provided, or are there significant differences in yours?
- Are your workplace procedures similar, or again, has your company taken a different approach?