Emergency Response Preparedness and Procedures.

1-Purpose

This procedure describes the processes to identify potential emergencies and potential accidents that can have an impact on the environment, and how (Name for your Company & Environmental Agency of the Country) responds to such events.

2-Scope

This procedure contains the following sections:

Write down the sections, policies, standards, rules and regulations as per the (your Company & Environmental Agency of the Country)
2.1 Recognition and detection of potential emergencies and accidents
2.2 Response to emergencies and mitigation of adverse environmental impacts
2.3 Test and review of emergency preparedness and response procedures

3-Definitions and Glossary

MD-Managing Director
MR-Management Representative
OM-Operations Manager
H&S-Health & Safety

4-Responsibility

The Managing Director / Health & Safety Manager are responsible for the implementation of this procedure. The Managing Director are responsible for identifying potential emergencies and potential accidents and determining those potential situations/accidents that may have a significant environmental impact. The Operations Manager and Management Representative are responsible for the review and periodic testing of elements of the emergency preparedness and response procedures. The Managing Director, Operations Manager and Management Representative are responsible for the implementation of corrective and preventative action resulting from an emergency /accident.

5-Procedure

5.1-Identification of Potential Emergencies and Accidents

Identification of potential emergencies and accidents will be conducted through the Risk Assessment (RA) process for all new contracts/introduction of new working methods and techniques. A Risk Assessment (RA) policy is also developed and recorded in the company’s health, safety and environmental H&S handbook. Identification of methods, risks, hazards and controls (based on site/job specific risk assessments) may also be documented in new contract proposals as requested by the customer. These will include method statement, legislation and proper and essential persona protective equipment (PPE) required. Proposal documents will also include identification of environmental issues covering potential noise, land, and water and air pollution. The purpose of risk assessment is to identify the significant risks in the workplace and then control those risks at an acceptable level and to comply with the Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations.
All aspects of the work activity are reviewed for Risk Assessment. Where hazardous chemical risks are encountered, C.O.S.H.H. Assessment Procedures are followed and where other risks are to be assessed, the policies in the MRF Name H&S handbook will be implemented – this includes key aspects such as working from height, confined spaces, manual handling, contact with waste, use of the equipment and environmental risks. Health & Safety requirements may also be supported by an external H&S consultancy. Where proper, detailed method statements are also developed for specific contracts/worksite operations. These method statements include the scope of work, job-specific instructions, risk assessment, accident and near-miss reporting, toolbox talks, PPE and equipment information and sign-off / acknowledgement sheets. Emergency Response activities include spillage/contamination control measures. If an emergency or accident occurs about the collection, processing and shipment of waste / recycle by (Name for your Company & Environmental Agency of the Country), emergency response activities will be implemented accordingly.

The identification of potential emergencies and accidents that could have an adverse environmental impact is supported by the Environmental Aspect and Impact Registration activity which has identified any significant impacts using the form (format for the specific form template) – this includes those that may occur under emergency conditions. About MRF office environmental emergencies and accidents, the risk about the activities carried out by (Name for your Company & Environmental Agency of the Country) is relatively low (office activities and weighbridge management only). The identification of potential office-based emergencies and accidents that could have an adverse environmental impact is also supported by the Environmental Aspect and Impact Registration activity where appropriate. The potential for emergencies or accidents at nearby facilities has also been assessed and recorded where appropriate. No significant external risk that requires additional operational controls or procedures has been identified.

5.2-Response to Emergencies and Mitigation of Adverse Environmental Impacts

MRF activities that are higher risk may include:

Fire.
Vehicle movement.
Oil / Diesel spillage.
Line sorting activity 1.
ANO Process/activity 1.

The identification of methods, risks, hazards and controls (based on site/job specific risk assessments) about the above are documented in MRF Name H&S handbook which will include method statement, legislation and PPE required. In the unwanted incident of an emergency arising that has an negative environmental impact, emergency response actions (as documented in site folders, risk assessments and material safety data sheets), will be implemented.

Upon satisfactory completion of the emergency response, appropriate paperwork/documentation as required by the local authority / Environmental Agency is to be raised and submitted. In parallel with this, the post-accident evaluation will be carried out and appropriate corrective and preventive action implemented. Corrective and preventive action must be documented on a Quality and Environmental report form (Name for your Company & Environmental Agency of the Country) and should include details of the emergency /accident, root cause, environmental impact, corrective and preventive actions, responsibilities and timescales. A review of the effectiveness of action should also be documented In the event of a head office emergency, the appropriate elements of the (Name for your Company & Environmental Agency of the Country) H&S documentation and Business Continuity Plan will be adopted, overseen by the health and safety representative (Emergency Controller) and the MR. This will include:

Evacuation of building / affected areas.
Liaison with emergency services.
Instigation of the communication plan.
Review of environmental implications.
Implementation of mitigation and response actions.

The post-accident evaluation will also be carried out and appropriate corrective and preventive action documented on a Quality and Environmental report form (Name for your Company & Environmental Agency of the Country) as above. Other elements of Control of disapproval, Corrective Action and Preventive Action are included in the Monitoring, Measurement and Health, safety and environmental Improvement procedure.

5.3-Evaluation, Review or Test of Emergency Preparedness and Response Procedures (EPRP)

The test and review of the Emergency Preparedness and Response process are carried out following (Name for your Company & Environmental Agency of the Country) Emergency Response procedures. This may include the test/review or evaluation of elements of disaster recovery, training/performance of emergency response personnel (ERP), building evacuation, internal and external communication, and availability of risk/hazard information and effectiveness of (planned) mitigation and response actions. The majority of these processes are tested and verified each time an MRF emergency arises. In addition to the above, response to simulated emergencies is also tested through periodic (at least annual) exercises overseen by the MD / MR, following the MRF Name Business Continuity Plan where appropriate. Results of these exercises are recorded and any improvement opportunities identified. The evacuation of the office facility is also tested annually. All office computers are appropriately backed up (see Document Control procedure XXXX). A test of the office back-up process is carried out by the MR every quarter.