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Session 9: Sustainability and environmental risk management at UQ
and QUT
Presented by:• Brian Fenn Queensland University of Technology• Stuart Green University of Queensland
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Sustainability & Environmental Risk Management at UQ and QUT
Brian Fenn, Associate Director Operations (QUT)Stuart Green, Environmental Engineer (UQ)
(ANZUIAG Conference, University of the Sunshine Coast, October 2010)
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Outline of Presentation:
• Sustainability & Environmental Risk – big picture, university context, key definitions & scope
• Environmental challenges in the university context
• QUT case study – an environmental assessment of our operations and activities
• UQ case studies – a couple of actual environmental events at UQ and the way they dealt with them
• Questions
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Environmental disasters – the more obvious ones
• Mexican Gulf oil spill• Hungary toxic sludge• Chernobyl nuclear reactor • OK Tedi • Bhopal • Exxon Valdez• The Gulf War• Mad Cow disease
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Environmental disasters – the not so obvious ones
• De-forestation• Salinity• Depletion of fish stocks from over-fishing • Coral bleaching• Rabbits and other introduced species• Tobacco smoking• Economic growth & consumption (ie carbon and
impact on the environment)• Increasingly severe weather events – typhoons,
cyclones, earthquakes, storms, droughts
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These are NOT “accidents waiting to happen” rather......
They are preventable “catastrophes waiting to happen”
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We probably do....
• The Smallpox story (Birmingham University, 1984)• Research universities undertake (JEV, GM foods, crop diseases)
• Chemical Man • Living on the river• Living in the city
So YES, we have the potential in our institutions to impact on the
environment in significant ways
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What is Environmental Risk?
• Environmental risk - arises from the relationship between humans and human activity and the environment
• Ecological risk management - deals with risks associated with past, present and future human activities on flora, fauna and ecosystems. It is a sub-set of environmental risk management
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Types of Environmental Risk:
Risk to the environment - this type of risk recognises that activities of an organisation can cause some form of environmental change(Environmental risks can relate to flora & fauna; human health & wellbeing; human social and cultural welfare; earth, air and water resources; energy and climate)
Risk to an organization from environment-related issues - this includes the risk of not complying with existing (or future) legislation(Associated risks include business losses an organization may suffer as a result of poor management, such as loss of reputation, fines, costs of litigation, and from failure to secure & maintain permission for development and operational activities
Both have environmental, legal, financial, reputational and operational impacts
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Key Definitions (1):Source of Risk – all sources of a risk where there is a cause-effect relationship
Hazard – a source of potential harm
Environmental aspects – elements of an organisation’s activities, products or services that can interact with the environment
Incidents (aka “Event”) – any occurrence that can have impact on the environment (an incident releases the intrinsic potential of the hazard)
Impacts – include, where relevant, effects and consequences
Consequence – is the outcome of impact of an event
Environmental impact – any change to the environment wholly or partly resulting from an organisation’s activities, products ort services
Risk management – structured, systematic approach to decision-making
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Need to manage environmental risk – but how?Environmental management system (EMS) - refers to the management of an organisation's environmental programs in a comprehensive, systematic, planned and documented manner:
•Serves as a tool to improve environmental performance •Provides a systematic way of managing an organisation’s environmental affairs •Addresses immediate and long-term impacts of its products, services and processes on the environment •Gives order and consistency for organisations to address environmental concerns through the allocation of resources, assignment of responsibility and ongoing evaluation of practices, procedures and processes •Focuses on continual improvement of the system
An EMS follows a Plan-Do-Check-Act Cycle
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Key Elements of an EMS:• Policy Statement - a statement of the organization’s
commitment to the environment
• Identification of Significant Environmental Impacts - environmental attributes of products, activities and services and their effects on the environment
• Development of Objectives and Targets - environmental goals for the organization
• Implementation - plans to meet objectives and targets
• Training - instruction to ensure employees are aware and capable of fulfilling their environmental responsibilities
• Management Review
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Environmental Risk Assessment
• Established and mature system. • Evolved from a certified ISO 14001
system.• Recognises relationships with:
• OH&S risk,• Legal risk, and• Financial risk.
UQ as an example…Aspect Identification
Hazard Identification
Risk Assessment
Risk Prioritisation
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Aspects
Purpose:• Complete understanding of impacts.• Engage stakeholders.• Raise awareness.• Review existing aspects.
Aspect Identification
Hazard Identification
Risk Assessment
Risk Prioritisation
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Aspects
Common:• Office and
administration.• Teaching.• Laboratories &
Research.• ITS.• Maintenance.
Unusual:• Transport.• Sewage treatment.• Incineration.• Farming.• Rocket test firing.• Mine operations.
Aspect Identification
Hazard Identification
Risk Assessment
Risk Prioritisation
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Environmental HazardsAspects
Common:• Office and
administration.• Teaching.• Laboratories &
Research.• ITS.• Maintenance.
Unusual:• Transport.• Sewage treatment.• Incineration.• Farming.• Rocket test firing.• Mine operations.
Aspect Identification
Hazard Identification
Risk Assessment
Risk Prioritisation
Purpose:• Understand the extent of potential
impacts.• Raise awareness of potential impacts.
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Environmental Hazards
Common:• Chemicals.• Dust.• Fire.• Noise.• Light.• Waste.
Unusual:• Nanoparticles.• Radiation.• GMOs.• Clinical agents.• Biological.• Explosives.• Gases.
Aspect Identification
Hazard Identification
Risk Assessment
Risk Prioritisation
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Purpose:• Understand the type of impact.• Understand the scale of impact.• Understand the interrelationships and
determine approach.
Environmental RisksEnvironmental Hazards
Common:• Chemicals.• Dust.• Fire.• Noise.• Light.• Waste.
Unusual:• Nanoparticles.• Radiation.• GMOs.• Clinical agents.• Biological.• Explosives.• Gases.
Aspect Identification
Hazard Identification
Risk Assessment
Risk Prioritisation
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Environmental Risks
Common:• Legal.• Pollution.• Contamination.• Nuisance.
Unusual:• Climate change.• Consumption
(i.e. non-renewable resources).
• Inadvertent harm.
Aspect Identification
Hazard Identification
Risk Assessment
Risk Prioritisation
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Purpose:• Identify common risks.• To identify ‘accepted’ and ‘unacceptable’
risks.• To focus resources.• To establish a basis for continued
improvement.
Aspect Identification
Hazard Identification
Risk Assessment
Risk Prioritisation
Environmental Risks
Common:• Legal.• Pollution.• Contamination.• Nuisance.
Unusual:• Climate change.• Consumption
(i.e. non-renewable resources).
• Inadvertent harm.
Prioritising
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Aspect Identification
Hazard Identification
Risk Assessment
Risk Prioritisation
Prioritising
Common:• Prioritise by greatest risk.
Complexities:• Intrinsic risk can be high risk.• Competing risks do not equal the
environmental risk.
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Assessment ProcessAspect
Identification
Hazard Identification
Risk Assessment
Risk Prioritisation
Stakeholders
Sustainability Office
Management
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…as an ExampleChemicals: Identification and Assessment.
Operation Activity/Aspect Risk Controls Legal
Bulk Flammable and Combustible Stores
Storing FCLs in rooms and buildings.
Fire or spill causing contamination of receiving environment
Must follow regulations Council bylaw.
Laboratories - daily operations.
Storing and using chemicals within laboratories.
Spillage of chemical escaping to soil or receiving waters Must follow regulations OHS Regs
Fume cupboards Use of chemicals in fume cupbords.
Loss of volatile chemicals to atmosphere. Local procedures No
Fieldwork Use of chemicals in the field. Loss of chemicals to the receiving environment. Local procedures No
Transporting Materials - Chemicals
Transporting chemicals by vehicle between or around campuses and sites.
Loss to the environment by spilling. Follow regulations DGSM Act.
Transport Use of chemicals during maintenance.
Loss to the evironment through spills and improper disposal.
Areas bunded. Disposal systems provided. ERA
Waste Management - Chemical
Disposal of sewerable chemicals.
Release to the environment by improper or non-sewerable chemical disposal.
EMS EPP Waste
Waste Management - Chemical
Disposal of non-sewerable chemicals.
Improperly disposed and being released to the receiving environment.
EMS. Contractor for collection and disposal. EPP Waste
Printery Use of volatile chemicals and solvents
Release to the environment None ERA
Disaster Management Fire in a chemical store or location
Chemicals volatilised and released to the atmosphere. Fire protection. Response processes. Stored in accordance with code and Act
Council bylaw.
Disaster Management Fire in a chemical store or location
Chemicals washed to Brisbane river in fire water Fire protection. Response processes. Stored in accordance with code and Act
Council bylaw.
Central Chemical Store - Daily Operations
Decanting Chemicals Spillage of chemical escaping to soil or receiving waters Bunding. Drainage to sewer. Council bylaw.
Chemical Waste Store - Daily operations
Storing waste chemicals. Loss of chemicls to the Brisbane river through spill or leak.
Bunded. Small containers. Frequently cleared. No
Chemical Waste Store - Incident
Flood inundating the store. Loss of chemicals to the Brisbane River. Containers small. Volumes kept low. Can be cleared with warning.
No
Cleaning - Daily operations
Use of chemical cleaners Spills of chemicals to receiving environment. Cleaning rooms bunded and plumbed to sewer. No
Disaster Management Release of fire water from site.
Release of chemicals to receiving waters None No
Workshop - chemical storage
Storing chemicals in the workshop.
Spills being released to the creek. Spill kit. No
CAAS - Chemical Treatment Facility
Storage of bulk volumes of NaOH
Leaks being lost to receiving environment. Bunded. Spill processes ERA
Chemical Waste Store - Incident
Fire Release to the Brisbane River in fire water. Containmanet tank. Volumes kept low by weekly pick up.
No
Chemical Waste Store - Incident
Fire Release to atmosphere in smoke plume Volumes kept low by weekly pick up. No
Swimming Pool - Daily Operations
Use of chemicals in maintenance
Contamination of surface waters in the event of a spill None EPP Water
Tea Rooms
Washing up with detergents Release of chemicals to sewer and receiving waters All such sinks are connected to sewer. Plants are tertiary treated.
No
Swimming Pool - Daily Operations
Use of chemicals in maintenance
Contact with incompatible materials. Spill kit. Training None
Traffic and Parking Deterioration of paint used for line marking.
Entering natural water bodies. None None
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…as an Example
Operation Activity/Aspect Risk Controls LegalBulk Flammable and Combustible Stores
Storing FCLs in rooms and buildings.
Fire or spill causing contamination of receiving environment
Must follow regulations. Council bylaw.
Laboratories - daily operations.
Storing and using chemicals within laboratories.
Spillage of chemical escaping to soil or receiving waters
Must follow regulations. OHS Regs
Fume cupboards Use of chemicals in fume cupboards.
Loss of volatile chemicals to atmosphere.
Local procedures. No
Fieldwork Use of chemicals in the field.
Loss of chemicals to the receiving environment.
Local procedures. No
Transporting Materials - Chemicals
Transporting chemicals by vehicle between or around campuses and sites.
Loss to the environment by spilling. Follow regulations. DGSM Act.
Waste Management - Chemical
Disposal of sewerable chemicals.
Release to the environment by improper or non-sewerable chemical disposal.
EMS. EPP Waste
Waste Management - Chemical
Disposal of non-sewerable chemicals.
Improperly disposed and being released to the receiving environment.
EMS. Contractor for collection and disposal.
EPP Waste
Printery Use of volatile chemicals and solvents
Release to the environment None. ERA
Chemicals: Identification and Assessment.
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2009 Risk Assessment
Aspect Identification
Hazard Identification
Risk Assessment
Risk Prioritisation
= 126 Aspects
= 72 Hazards
= 290 Risks
= 34 Unacceptable Risks= 10 Different Hazards
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2009 Risk Assessment
Aspect Identification
Hazard Identification
Risk Assessment
Risk Prioritisation
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“We must undertake an environmental assessment”
“But what if we find something really horrible!!”
“We’ll just flick it to the guys in Assurance & Risk!!”
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Project Scope:• Identify the current and potential environmental issues and
liabilities at QUT
• Determine and assess the level of environmental risk associated with activities undertaken at QUT
• Ascertain the adequacy of control measures associated with current and potential environmental issues and liabilities
• Conduct environmental legal compliance assessment in order to evaluate QUT’s compliance with environmental legal obligations
• Conduct a gap analysis against the International ISO 14001 Standard in order to facilitate the development of an EMS
• Identify and recommend measures for improvement
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Overview:Methodology:
• Identification of Environmental Activities & Risk Assessment
• Legal Compliance Assessment• ISO 14001 Gap Analysis
Results:• Identification of Environmental Activities &
Risk Assessment• Legal Compliance Assessment• ISO 14001 Gap Analysis
Recommendations:
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Methodology:1.Identification of Environmental Activities & Risk Assessment(a) Hazard Identification
• Segregation of processes/activities within each Area/Faculty/Division
• Inspection and observation of work areas
• Interviews with QUT staff• Identification of the current and potential environmental
issues and risk (liability) and its effect/impact on the environment under a range of operating conditions
• Identification of existing control measures
• Determination of proposed risk reduction/control measures
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Methodology:(b) Risk Assessment
• ANU’s CERAM tool• Workshops and participant risk ranking sessions• Determination of inherent and residual risk• Determination of consequence, likelihood and risk rating• Any risks classed as ‘High’, ‘Very High’ or ‘Extreme’ were
recognised as being significant
(c) Risk Control• Identification of proposed or additional control measures
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Methodology:2.Assessment of Legal Compliance
• Review of ERA’s, notifiable activities, documents, records and pertinent legislation and other requirements
• Inspection and observation of work areas
• Findings were coded as follows:
Non-compliance (NC) – A direct non-compliance with a Statutory requirement. Typically of a higher risk or
consequence
Observation (O) - Provided as guidance or comment to facilitate improvement in performance. Should be actioned where practicable
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Methodology:3.ISO 14001 Gap Analysis
• Identifies the actions needed to qualify for ISO 14001 certification
• Assessment against each element of ISO 14001 Standard:• Policy• Emergency preparedness and response• Responsibilities and accountabilities• Environmental monitoring • Records and data management• Incident reporting• Planning and implementation of initiatives &
programs• Compliance Score (%) determined
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Results – environmental risks:
• 1,223 environmental risks identified
•37 (3%) ranked “significant” (36 “high risk”, 1 “very high” risk)
•1,186 ranked “negligible to moderate” risk
•Reduced to 29 (residual risk) after existing controls assessed
•29 was reduced to 22 following implementation of further controls (eg water mgt policy, installing signage, training & awareness, new procedures)
•So basically we end up with 21 high environmental risks and 1 very high environmental risk (which we learn to live with)
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Results – compliance risks:Overall, an understanding of statutory obligations relative to environmental management and performance is demonstrated
The assessment identified 25 instances of non-compliance with environmental legislation. These related to:
•Conduct of a “notifiable activity” without DERM approval (1)
•Management & storage of hazardous substances & dangerous goods (18)
•The establishment & maintenance of documentation (6)
All 25 non-compliances will be addressed by end of Nov 2010
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Results – Gap Analysis:• 70% compliance with Communication, Emergency
Preparedness & Response, Control of Records and Roles, Responsibilities and Authority
• 50% compliance with Environmental Aspects, Legal & Other Requirements, Objectives & Targets, EMS Documentation, Monitoring & Measurement, Evaluation of Compliance and Preventative and Corrective Action
• <40% compliance with Competency, Training & Awareness, Document Control, Operational Control and Internal Audit
• 0% compliance with Environmental Policy and Management Review
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Recommendations: Develop an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) Conduct of environmental audits of contractors used for
the collection & transport of general & regulated waste Provision of formal hydrocarbon and chemical spill
response training Development of QUT-wide chemical spill response
procedure and incident reporting procedure Installation of general and chemical spill kits Regular inspections of flammable storage cabinets Development of QUT-wide standard templates Post-graduate laboratories: SOPs for fieldwork
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Recommendations:• Increase level of education and awareness:
• Waste management• Separation of hazardous substances and DG• Environmental incident reporting• Environmental risk assessment• Significant environmental impacts (risks)• Emergency response procedures• Legal obligations and statutory guidelines• Address non-compliances raised in the legal
compliance assessment• Use of water-paint hardeners and installation of
Dulux® Envirowash systems• Eateries & Cafes: encourage eco-friendly packaging
and increase recycling efforts