Safety and Environmental Management Project - Coursework Example

SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PROJECT Name: University: Instructor: Course Title: Date of Submission: Abstract Since the Brundtland commission, on common future and sustainable development, Rio earth summit, the growth of the concept of corporate social responsibility and international certification systems, companies have to advance programs in relation to quality, safety, health and environmental management systems. The single aim is to ensure sustainable development in the production and utilization of natural resources. This work is on commercial construction company and covers aspects such as what must be done in compliance with environmental laws within that industry. It develops environmental control methods, procedures, and programs of handling environmental hazards associated with this industry, and relation with governmental officials. Thirdly it tackles challenges associated with ensuring company personnel follow environmental regulations. Lastly, it addresses the possible ethical and professional dilemmas of a responsible environmental professional. Most of these discussion topics covered are in the paradigm of Quality, Safety, Health and Environmental systems (QSHE) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Table of Contents Abstract 2 Table of Contents 3 Introduction 4 Industry overview 4 Environmental issues 4 Environmental control methods, procedures and programs 5 Environmental statutes, regulations and environmental laws 6 Roles and responsibilities 7 Ensuring company’s employees follow environmental regulations 7 Audit program 7 Hazardous materials 8 Dealing with government officials 8 Staff engagement and challenges 9 Ethical and professional dilemmas 9 Conclusion 10 References 10 Safety and environmental management project Introduction Since the realization, of human interdependence on environment, the nexus of safety and environmental management has had a phenomenal growth and application in the construction industry. Nicholson Construction Company indeed attempts to adhere to the standards that ensure the safety of its workers and immediate environment as a result of its activities. In order to guarantee customer need in a social conscious framework, the company aims at continual improvement through QSHE, evaluation of principal performance exhibits, employee training, and identification of impacts, promotion of joint employee and management responsibility, and regular review of the policy by communicating it to various stakeholders. Industry overview The company operates from Pittsburgh chiefly focusing its operations on geotechnical construction services falling under the category of heavy and civil engineering construction contractors. Since 1955, the company has continued to offer innovative services in this field. The company has undertaken numerous projects in the US and globally, most of these operations involve alteration of the earth structure by building retaining walls for dams. Environmental issues Environmental issues are negative impact as a result of human development activity (Mitchell, 2009, p.25). Construction industry is a multi faceted and dynamic sector that utilizes input from numerous industries. The first source of environmental concern is the dust emitted during excavation, drilling and crushing process. Such emissions aggravate conditions such as asthma and other respiratory diseases. Secondly related to this is the soil excavated from the site and debris, and their possible dumping which might create an eyesore. The third concern is about carbon emissions related to fossil fuel energy. Currently the company relies on petroleum fueled earth moving machines, trucks, and other machines and equipments like stone crushers, drillers, concrete mixers among others. Fossil fuel emits carbon which contributes significantly to atmospheric pollution interns of climate change and global warming (Abdullah, 2007, p.2-6). Therefore, it is necessary to come up with environmental management procedures in an effort to ensure compliance with various acts requirements. Environmental control methods, procedures and programs With the realization of the eminent threat posed by its operation, the company had embarked on various regulatory measures so as to regulate any possible harm to its employees, neighboring society and the environment at large. These measures are on leadership in sustainable development and environmental practice. The company has in-depth belief in quality at a first glance. In addition, the company believes that its greatest assets for success is man power and thus places massive emphasis on their health by minimizing possible injuries through occupation, health and safety regulations and injury and incident free principle. The firm has established an environmental management system that conforms to international certification on environmental management systems. Apart from the above, the firms subscribes to the principle of cleaner production systems, sustainable use of natural resources and utilization of the concept of 3RS (Reduction, Reuse and Recycle) as waste management approach. In addition, it the company works with environment regulatory authority accredited waste handlers. Further, to maximize on synergies of community engagement identifying possible impacts the company conforms to IFC standard. Lastly, to mitigate the impact of utilization of fossil fuel and site clearance, the company at all length engages in tree planting exercise (Goumans, Peter and guy, 2000, p. 965). Environmental statutes, regulations and environmental laws The Acts that governs construction industry includes pollution prevention act which aims at reduction of pollution through cost effective measures in production, operation and raw material use. The other is occupational safety and health act that aims to guarantee worker and work place safety through reduction of hazards. The other act is a noise control act that regulates the level of noise emission especially in urban areas. National environmental policy act which majorly relates to project undertaken for the federal government. Apart from the above we have the Clean Water Act (CWA) which focuses on the preservation of underground water by ensuring biological, chemical and physical integrity of waters. The other act that still touches on the construction activities is the resource conservation and recovery act covering handling of hazardous wastes. There is also the Solid and Hazardous Waste statute that deals with the regulation of the generation, handling, disposal, treatment, transportation and generation of hazardous and solid wastes. Lastly, we have the emergency planning and community right-t-know act which empowers communities protect public health, safety and environment from chemical hazards (EPA, 2011). Roles and responsibilities Having a bearing over workforce of 1000 people and above is not an easy task. To ensure accountability and control, the company has a hierarchical structure. The department of quality, safety, health and environmental management systems ensures adherence to the standards set out by the company among its employees and sub contractors. QSHE corporate manager heads the department assisted by region QSHE officers, and site QSHE officers. The site QSHE officers often act as the integral link between the management and other employees, as they are the ones mandated with the authority of enforcement while the senior positions are for policy making. Ensuring company’s employees follow environmental regulations In this company, the QSHE policy has a paramount position treated as an integral and import and department. All cadres of employees undergo training about QHE and OSHA. Apart from the above, the company through its relevant department strives to instill the ethics of safety and environmental concerns even without supervision. One of the corporate responsibilities of the company is to enlighten both employees and intermediate society about safety measures at the work site. Audit program The environmental audit program ensures a guaranteed continual improvement on environmental management. The approach usually encourages firms to examine how well facility operations or development programs are complying with regulations stipulated out by the authorities such as local governments, state government or federal government. The concept and principle of the audit program is on technical assistance and compliance rather than enforcement. It is driven with the motive that a firm, which carries out, an audit has a higher probability of pinpointing the problem. This allows for timely redress (DIANE, 1995, P.2-6). In the realization of this important objective in achieving the intended goal of environmental assessment, the company usually carries an audit to all its site facilities through in house audit team from QSHE and outsourced consultants to ensure adherence to stipulated regulations. The audit report is on how the company will mitigate pollution through pollution prevention plan. Usually the company utilizes audit checklists such as air quality, hazardous wastes, solid wastes, storm water. In addition to the above, the company conducts industry check lists in relation to asphalt plant, vehicle maintenance, spills and sand and gravel handling. Hazardous materials In most of its daily operations, the company handles various hazardous substances. These substances have higher chances of causing environmental and health damage, and thus to avoid these and possible fines the company does a proper handling, labeling of wastes, and trains its staff on hazard waste handling. The hazards associated with construction sites are petrol and petroleum products; high voltage power; aerially deposited lead; asphalt, concrete grindings, both PCB lamp ballast and non PCB lamp ballast; lamps and HID light bulbs used at night in the sites; mercury switches and mercury containing equipments like heating and air conditioning thermostats, flow meters, pressure gauges. Dealing with government officials Dealing with government officials requires both technical and soft skills According to Gitman & McDaniel (2008, p. 226), technical skills comprises of specialized areas of knowledge and expertise and the ability to apply that knowledge. These skills would help me in formulating a team which is up to the task, so that in the event of interacting with government official we are able to present a workable and professional position. In addition to the above, the team will have to be competent in environmental law and ethics, so as to device programs that not only pleases the government but the goals of the whole society. Finally i would apply benchmarking concepts by comparing our operation with the industry best performers in order to learn and emulate them (Damelio, 1995, p. 1). Staff engagement and challenges Managing people is not an easy concept, there are those who are receptive to ideas, there are those who are critiques while there are those who are for the status quo. For successful realization, of safety and environmental management, the QSHE and as the overall manager I will employ leadership skills as an approach to managing people derived from interpersonal skills and cognitive power (Papulova & Mokros, 2007, p. 4). The second approach I would utilize is the team building approach to management of people. This is in the realization that there is no important, integral part of any organization more that the human resource. Ethical and professional dilemmas Business operations are faced with two situations, doing what is right and ought to be done and maximizing on your profits through utilization of the present situation in a care free manner. These two ethical approaches are addressed in the theories of Kantian and utilitarian (faculty.stedwards.edu). The utilization of environment requires Kantian approach to its utilization since we have got only one earth which has got higher repercussions if misused. Conclusion It is fundamental for all companies to engage in safety and environmental management programs irrespective of government supervision. This forms one of the core callings of ethical practices in business and proper utilization of natural resources in a sustainable manner. The application of this concept is a bonus, as it shows the respect a company has for the present generation and future one. References Abdullah, A. M.,(2007). Introduction to environmental management systems. Kuala Lumpur: Penerbit UTM Damelio, R., (1995). The basics of benchmarking. Portland Oregon: Productivity Press DIANE publishers 1995, Environmental auditing: a useful tool that improve environmental performance and reduce cost. Washington: DIANE publishing company Environmental Protection Agency 2011, Laws and executive orders. Retrieved on 24th November 2011 from: http://www.epa.gov/lawsregs/laws/index.html Gitman, L. J., & McDaniel, C., (2008). The future of business: the essential. Mason OH: Thomson Higher Education. Goumans, J.J.J.M., Peter, J.W., and Guy, R.W., (2000). Waste material in construction: WASCON 2000: Proceedings of the international conference of the science and engineering of recycling for environmental protection, Harrogate England, 31 May, 1-2 June 2000 Mitchell, R. B., (2009). International politics and the environment. London: Sage publishers Papulova, Z., & Mokros, M., (2007). Importance of managerial skills and knowledge in management for small entrepreneurs. E-Leader, Prague 2007. Retrieved on 24th October from: http://www.g-casa.com/PDF/Papulova-Mokros.pdf Read More

Therefore, it is necessary to come up with environmental management procedures in an effort to ensure compliance with various acts requirements. Environmental control methods, procedures and programs With the realization of the eminent threat posed by its operation, the company had embarked on various regulatory measures so as to regulate any possible harm to its employees, neighboring society and the environment at large. These measures are on leadership in sustainable development and environmental practice.

The company has in-depth belief in quality at a first glance. In addition, the company believes that its greatest assets for success is man power and thus places massive emphasis on their health by minimizing possible injuries through occupation, health and safety regulations and injury and incident free principle. The firm has established an environmental management system that conforms to international certification on environmental management systems. Apart from the above, the firms subscribes to the principle of cleaner production systems, sustainable use of natural resources and utilization of the concept of 3RS (Reduction, Reuse and Recycle) as waste management approach.

In addition, it the company works with environment regulatory authority accredited waste handlers. Further, to maximize on synergies of community engagement identifying possible impacts the company conforms to IFC standard. Lastly, to mitigate the impact of utilization of fossil fuel and site clearance, the company at all length engages in tree planting exercise (Goumans, Peter and guy, 2000, p. 965). Environmental statutes, regulations and environmental laws The Acts that governs construction industry includes pollution prevention act which aims at reduction of pollution through cost effective measures in production, operation and raw material use.

The other is occupational safety and health act that aims to guarantee worker and work place safety through reduction of hazards. The other act is a noise control act that regulates the level of noise emission especially in urban areas. National environmental policy act which majorly relates to project undertaken for the federal government. Apart from the above we have the Clean Water Act (CWA) which focuses on the preservation of underground water by ensuring biological, chemical and physical integrity of waters.

The other act that still touches on the construction activities is the resource conservation and recovery act covering handling of hazardous wastes. There is also the Solid and Hazardous Waste statute that deals with the regulation of the generation, handling, disposal, treatment, transportation and generation of hazardous and solid wastes. Lastly, we have the emergency planning and community right-t-know act which empowers communities protect public health, safety and environment from chemical hazards (EPA, 2011).

Roles and responsibilities Having a bearing over workforce of 1000 people and above is not an easy task. To ensure accountability and control, the company has a hierarchical structure. The department of quality, safety, health and environmental management systems ensures adherence to the standards set out by the company among its employees and sub contractors. QSHE corporate manager heads the department assisted by region QSHE officers, and site QSHE officers. The site QSHE officers often act as the integral link between the management and other employees, as they are the ones mandated with the authority of enforcement while the senior positions are for policy making.

Ensuring company’s employees follow environmental regulations In this company, the QSHE policy has a paramount position treated as an integral and import and department. All cadres of employees undergo training about QHE and OSHA. Apart from the above, the company through its relevant department strives to instill the ethics of safety and environmental concerns even without supervision. One of the corporate responsibilities of the company is to enlighten both employees and intermediate society about safety measures at the work site.

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