Sustainability Report 2005-2006
Department of the Environment and Water Resources, 2007
Australian Antarctic Division Environmental Performance
Environmental management
EM2: Environmental performance improvement process
Goals 2005-06
Achieve approval of the environmental management programme for AAD headquarters by 2006- Implement environmental management plans for Science and Operations by 2006
- Implement recommendations from external and internal audit processes
Performance 2005-06 and trends
The documents referred to in the first and second goals are incorporated into the controlled documents list, reported against at quarterly subcommittee meetings, and reviewed annually. A two-yearly review of significant aspects and impacts was conducted during 2005 and the consequent objectives and targets were reviewed and amended as required.
Enhancements were made to the Incident, Hazard and Improvement Suggestion (IHIS) reporting system with the inclusion of report analysis coordinators, report titles and additional search capabilities. The process is being used and improvements to the system have led to positive changes in environmental management.
The following recommendations from external and internal audit processes were implemented:
- new Branch objectives, targets and implementation plans were developed, and Branch progress was reported on at subcommittee meetings
- the chemical management procedures were reviewed for incorporation into the relevant operational procedures
- a review of Station Self Assessment documentation was commenced to ensure questions are appropriately framed to require evidence to support observations
- the EMS 2006 Internal Audit Programme was developed, and a key component of the EMS audited.
Some of the changes that were implemented as a result of the IHIS reporting system during 2005-06 included:
- changes to quarantine training, procedures and manuals to reduce the introduction of alien species into the Antarctic
- cleanup of rubbish exposed during large snow melt to reduce bird injuries
- improvements to expeditioner education and awareness, with the inclusion of information on the Antarctic Treaty (Environment Protection) Act 1980 and its application to activities in Antarctica in the Environmental Code
- changes to the Kingston workshop processes to dispose of scrap metals for resale
- changes to Station Leader reporting procedures to ensure regular reports on quarrying activities are made.
Commentary
The continuous improvement of AAD’s environmental performance is managed through the ISO14001/2004-certified Environmental Management System (EMS). Under the EMS, AAD has developed an internal audit programme. This programme is conducted by competent AAD staff. Auditing environmental management activities and operations will verify that AAD meets or exceeds ISO14001:2004, the Australian Government's energy efficiency policy, other relevant Government environmental policies, legislation and performance expectations, and AAD's own environmental performance policy, objectives and targets. Findings from audits (i.e. non-conformances or suggested improvements) are logged in the IHIS reporting system.
Potential hazards, accidents or incidents and suggestions for minimising risk are also logged on the IHIS reporting system. The system provides reporting, investigation and tracking capabilities to ensure that follow-up is undertaken and completed. More accurate and meaningful reports will be developed in the future to interpret statistics. Section managers are responsible for ensuring that all persons working for or on behalf of AAD are familiar with the IHIS reporting system. A report analysis coordinator (RAC) is nominated against every environmental report. The RAC is responsible for conducting ongoing monitoring, if required, or to make final comment, decision or action and closure.
Goals 2006-07
- Implement the Compliance and Enforcement Strategy of the department and train staff appropriately in statutory compliance, enforcement or investigative responsibilities by June 2007
- Conduct internal audits in accordance with the AAD EMS 2006 Internal Audit Programme
- Ensure Internal Auditors are trained appropriately
- Develop the AAD EMS 2007 Internal Audit Programme
- Implement recommendations from external and internal audit processes
- Implement plans for Branch objectives and targets by 2007 as appropriate
- Familiarise staff appropriately with the IHIS reporting system
- Further improve the IHIS reporting system to make more meaningful interpretations of the statistics.
Related Indicators
Contents
- Sustainability Report 05-06
- Executive summary
- Vision and strategy
- Our organisation
- Governance
- Policy and influence
- Environmental performance
- Social performance
- Economic performance
- Report assurance statement
- Case studies
- GRI index
Key
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