Today harmonised Environmental Management Systems (EMS) are widely adapted in the business world. As we know, environmental management systems first initiated in Japan (in the electronic industry) in the 1980’s and later spread to USA and Europe. In latter regions, EMS was adapted initially by high polluting industries such as chemical and power later it was gradually introduced to the other industries that had lesser environmental impacts.
Benefits
Many construction companies all over the world are facing numerous environmental challenges. For instance, stringent and complex environmental laws and regulations, increasing compliance costs and heavy penalties for violation could affect any construction company’s survival in terms of profitability and growth. In addition to such growing challenges, increasing public demand for environmental concerns has catalysed the construction companies to think differently or look for innovative ways to improve or sustain their solvency.
Similarly, numerous construction companies (either small or large) have demonstrated that a sound EMS is not only beneficial in many ways but also a novel way to remain competitive in a highly volatile market.
It is a well-known fact that countless number of construction companies globally have immensely benefitted through implementation of EMS. For example, the benefits are many:
- Lowering costs through prudent use of resources and waste minimisation
- Ability to comply with stringent environmental laws and regulations. Thereby, reducing risks delays and avoid penalties.
- Ability to monitor or keep track of environmental issues pertaining to all phases of construction projects
- Increased competitiveness and explore market opportunities through environmentally friendly construction services offered to environmentally sensitive customers
- Facilitate effective communication and dialogue among all stakeholders involved internally as well as externally. In other words, fostering better relationships with regulators or law enforcement agencies including the communities.
- Enhanced corporate image as a socially and ecologically responsible construction business, leading to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification.
- Creating a highly involved (or motivated) and responsible staff or a responsive environmental team within the organisation
What Is An Effective EMS?
An effective EMS means not only keeping the external working environment healthy but also maintaining a safe and healthy working condition through Occupational and Healthy (OH&S) procedures. In essence, the former involves implementation of ISO14001 and the latter comprise of occupational health and safety measures stipulated in OHSAS18002:2008. This shows EMS and OH&S measures must blend together for successful implementation of an EMS in a construction business.
ISO14001 stipulates the exact requirements for an EMS. It essentially applies to environmental concerns which the construction organisation has the control over and at the same time such concerns can have an influence on its performance.
Essentially, ISO14001 comprised of:
- Environmental Management System (EMS)
- Environmental Auditing
- Environmental Labelling
- Environmental Performance Evaluation
- Life cycle assessment (ISO 2002)
In essence, ISO14001 is a voluntary standard that can be adapted by any construction organisation. It mainly helps the organisation to systematically control construction activities that have a detrimental effect on the environment. Specifically, it covers 17 elements or aspects clustered into five key areas:
- Environmental Policy
- Planning
- Implementation and operation
- Checking and corrective action
- Management Review
Principally, ISO14001 helps any construction company to comply with applicable environmental laws and regulations while improving the environmentally related processes on a continual basis.
In reality, any Environmental Management System (EMS) is a unique management process which pursues Plan-Do-Check-Act model or approach. It introduces an agenda to examine all environmental aspects pertaining to operations of a construction company. Similarly, it helps the organisation not only to develop, implement, monitor, review, and revise action plans and procedures on continual basis but also improve the construction company’s overall operations that have an impact on the environment.
EMS For A Modern Construction Business
In summing up, EMS is essentially a management tool for modern construction organisation. With rapidly increasing environmentally concerned customer base, any construction organisation must adapt an effective EMS in order to increase its market share or sustain its business. It will certainly reap notable benefits such as:
- Improved environmental regulatory compliance requirements
- Minimise risks and liabilities
- Appreciably reduce or minimise waste and pollution
- Enhance site Occupational, Health & Safety at the construction work place
- 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.
If you’ve got questions about anything in this article or anything related to Ensafe or the construction industry, you can contact us via phone or email or leave your question in the comments below.
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