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.

Construction Safety, Environmental & Quality Management Documentation

As promised back in our previous update, we are proud to announce that we have now updated our products in accordance with the new WHS legislation and are now available for download. The products that have been updated and released are:

• Site Safety Management Plan (SSMP)
• Construction Safety & Environmental Management Plan (CSEMP)
• Construction Project Management Plan (CPMP)

Please Note: If you have purchased the SSMP, CSEMP and/or CPMP during 2011 and the first weeks of 2012, you are eligible to receive the corresponding new versions for free. You will have received an email/s with the new version/s attached to the email/s. If you believe that you are eligible for a free upgrade and have not received an email, please let us know by sending an email to support@ensafe.com.au.

What Has Changed?

In addition, we have also improved the format and structure of the SSMP, CSEMP and CPMP to make it even easier and practical for you to use.

Upcoming Name Change

We just want to let you know to reduce any confusion when the change does occur. For the time being, it will still be known as the SSMP.

Download & Comply With New WHS Legislation Today

If you are not eligible for a free upgrade or have not purchased SSMP, CSEMP or CPMP, we invite you to test our products and see how simple it really is to comply with the new WHS legislation and regulations. We’ve not only upgraded the products to comply with new WHS legislation and regulations but thanks to customer feedback, we’ve also improved the format and structure to make easier and more practical for anyone to use. Simply go to the Products page to read more about them, download a sample and make a purchase.

If you’ve got questions about anything in this update 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.

Construction Safety, Environmental & Quality Management Documentation

Here’s an UPDATE as to what’s happening in the world of construction compliance in Australia.

WHS Act 2011 & WHS Regulations 2011

New work health and safety (WHS) laws replaced the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) laws in NSW, ACT, Queensland, the Northern Territory and the Commonwealth on 1 January 2012. Other states have no definite dates yet; you can look at the following website for more information:

http://safeworkaustralia.gov.au/Legislation/Pages/ModelWHSLegislation.aspx

These new laws will provide greater consistency, certainty and clarity across Australia making it easier to understand your workplace health and safety duties. Businesses and volunteer organisations that operate over several states will be able to initiate nationwide safety policies and procedures.

To assist business, industry and the community transition to the new legislation, transitional arrangements have been implemented.

For example, existing OHS committees will become WHS committees and these committees will have 12 months to ensure their membership aligns with the new legislation.

The transitional arrangements have been based on national transitional principles agreed to by all jurisdictions.

In summary, these transitional arrangements provide for:

• recognition of existing information, records or other documentation that is substantially the same as WHS requirements
• transitional periods of 12 to 18 months where there is a change in training requirements
• only requiring retraining or reassessment if the requirements are substantially different
• transitional periods of 6 to 12 months (in most cases 12 months) where a duty or requirement is new
• up to 24 months for some new obligations where industry might have difficulty in complying for reasons beyond their control.
• Further information on this and other transitional arrangements as well as the key changes for industry, businesses, workers, directors and volunteers are available from the links below.

http://safeworkaustralia.gov.au/Legislation/transitional-arrangements/Pages/transitional-arrangements.aspx

The new work health and safety laws may change the way work health and safety is managed in the workplace, but the basics of keeping your workplace safe will remain.

The basics of keeping your workplace safe include:

• management commitment
• consultation
• management of risk
• training and supervision
• reporting safety
• return to work and workers compensation.

Every person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU – the new term that includes employers) should ensure the ongoing management of work health and safety matters is done effectively.

Ensafe Planning Solutions is currently reviewing our safety management plans and OHS management systems to comply with the new legislation; we envisage that only minor changes will be required and as soon as they are finalised, they will be released (end of January 2012). Given that our products come with 12 months free updates, all customers who purchased during 2011 will be eligible for a free update and they will receive this via email. Those who purchase in 2012 will also have access to the updated plans and systems.

For further information on the new legislation, regulations and codes of practice, please visit the link below:
http://safeworkaustralia.gov.au/Legislation/ModelWHSAct/Pages/ModelWHSAct.aspx

If you’ve got any questions about anything in this update 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.

Construction Safety, Environmental & Quality Management Documentation

First of all, Happy New Year to all construction contractors and companies based in Australia. On behalf of Ensafe Planning Solutions, we hope that you had a wonderful festive season with your family and loved ones. We hope that 2012 is a great year for you and your business.

Here’s an UPDATE as what is happening in the world of construction safety compliance in Australia.

As you may be aware the new Model Health and Safety legislation came into force start on the 1st Jan 2012 in 4 States: Queensland, Northern Territory, New South Wales and the ACT. Other states will join later – no date has been specified yet.  It is expected that all states and territories will be on board within a couple of months.

What is harmonisation all about?

The National Harmonisation of the OHS laws has been developed to bring all states into alignment, reduce red tape and make it easy for employers to comply with Work Place Health and Safety Laws.

Who does it affect?

It affects all employers, workers, volunteers, and anyone carrying out an undertaking for a business or charity. The acronym being used is PCBU which stands for “person conducting a business or undertaking”. This is a very broad term and effects more people than current state legislation.

What has changed?

Essentially, workplace safety won’t be radically different. There are changes coming for high risk activities, such as working at heights, confined spaces etc… and some states will have more changes than others.  OHS is changing to WHS WorkSafe Australia is changing the common term for Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) to Workplace Health and Safety (WHS).

What changes are required to OHS management plans provided by Ensafe?

Our plans will require minor changes, essentially in regards to new terminology used in the new regulations and references to new Codes of practice. Ensafe is working on updating the plans and all our clients who purchased one of the following plans during 2011 will get an updated template free of charge.

• Site Safety Management Plan (SSMP)
• Construction Safety & Environmental Management Plan (CSEMP)
• Construction Project Management Plan (CPMP)

The plans will be sent to our clients via email before the 31st January 2012.

By the same token, if you haven’t purchased any of our plans, if you purchase today, you will be eligible to get the new template when we release it before the end of the month.

Please refer to our Products page to see Ensafe’s range of construction management plans and systems for construction contractors and companies in Australia in 2 easy to follow comparison tables.

If you’ve got any questions about anything this updates 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.

Construction Safety, Environmental & Quality Management Documentation