Program Development
Program Development
Environmental
Aspects & Impacts
A system for identifying priorities and setting goals
By David Ayers
A AS COMPANIES BECOME MORE SOCIALLY
conscious, SH&E professionals are often assigned
environmental responsibilities as well as safety
responsibilities. The modern environmental move-
ment in the U.S. is closely associated with the 1962
bilities to all applicable regula-
tions through an effective EMS.
Whether a company pursues
ISO 14001 or creates a custom
version, a system to manage the
publication of Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring. “Rachel company’s environmental re-
Carson meticulously described how the pesticide sponsibilities is important.
DDT entered the food chain in the fatty tissues of ani- Electing to use an EMS is the
mals, including human beings, and caused cancer and first step toward addressing
genetic damage” (NRDC, 2008). environmental affairs in a
In 1969, Congress declared in Sec. 101 of the proactive way. First, the compa-
National Environmental Protection Act (42 USC § ny should have an environmen-
4331): tal policy. This is an overall
document that explains what
[I]t is the continuing policy of the federal gov-
the company intends to do from
ernment, in cooperation with state and local
an environmental standpoint.
governments, and other concerned public and
The environmental policy state-
private organizations, to use all practicable
ment should show manage-
means and measures, including financial and
ment commitment, be easy for
technical assistance, in a manner calculated to
employees and the public to
foster and promote the general welfare, to cre-
understand, and reflect the
ate and maintain conditions under which man
company’s vision and values.
and nature can exist in productive harmony,
This article examines how
and fulfill the social, economic and other
SH&E professionals with envi-
requirements of present and future genera-
ronmental responsibilities can
tions of Americans.
identify environmental aspects
The more recent green movement and the trend and impacts, and introduces a
toward corporate social responsibility indicate that scoring system that can be used
many companies are listening to stakeholders who to determine environmental
want clean, efficient operations that are protective of priorities, then set measurable
the environment. Many companies are finding that environmental goals.
such operations not only protect the environment but
also help the companies save money. This creates a
win-win situation in which operations are