CHAPTER 9: MEASURING AND MONITORING (CLAUSE 9.1)
Summary of requirements
Organisations should establish and implement procedure(s) to measure and monitor the aspects of the EMS’s performance that could have significant environmental impacts.
How can these requirements be met?
The measurement and monitoring process must be viewed in a larger context and its scope extended to the entire EMS. Mechanisms and responsibilities must be defined to continuously measure and monitor key characteristics of those processes and activities with the potential for significant environmental impact.
Key characteristics provide vital information or can have significant influence on the environmental performance, which therefore need to be measured or monitored. These might include, for example:
• The amount of effluent discharged;
• The amount of biological oxygen demand or chemical oxygen demand in outgoing effluent;
• The number of spills;
• Temperature limits in a chemical warehouse;
• The amount of hazardous waste;
• Unplanned releases;
• The quantity of toxic chemicals released; or
• The amount of fuel, gas, electricity or water used, etc.
They also need to define mechanisms and responsibilities for regular monitoring/measuring of the following:
• The equipment used in emergency situations, spill kits, smoke detectors, fire detection and fire control systems.
• Controls whose absence or failure could significantly impact the environment (e.g. relief valves, one-way valves, pressure and temperature sensors, auto warning signals, pressure vessel inspections, critical inspections, permits to work, controls over suppliers, and contractors).
• The extent to which the environmental objectives and targets have been achieved.
• Chemical, fuel and hazardous waste handling, storage and disposal methods.
• Training needs, training conducted, employee awareness and competence.
• Communications from interested parties.
• Effectiveness of emergency response measures.
• Effectiveness of corrective and preventive actions.
• Environmental performance of contractors.
A measuring and monitoring plan should form the core of the measuring and monitoring process. The plan should include:
• Parameters to be measured/monitored;
• Responsibilities;
• Procedure;
• Frequency; and
• Records to be kept.