T OOLBOX TALK Environmental Awareness

1. TOOLBOX TALK Environmental Awareness

2. Environmental Awareness Protecting the environment is not only a commitment to future generations, it is also a commercial necessity if the business wish to expand and meet their legal responsibilities. In this climate of environmental awareness, a business with a poor environmental record can only damage its reputation. What is your business doing to reduce its environmental impact? Does it have strategies in place for controlling this? Do you and your colleagues know how to minimise environmental effects both at work and home?

3. Pollution Categories Noise Vibration Waste Nuisance Ground Water Air

4. Pollution categories explained There are seven general groupings of pollution. They are: Noise, which is any undesired sound around the areas of work; Waste, which is any scrap material, effluent or unwanted substance that needs to be disposed of; Ground pollution, which is any spillage or contamination of the ground in the work area; Water pollution, which is caused by allowing poisonous, noxious or polluting matter into waterways or ground water: Air pollution, which is any dust, gas, fume, smoke, vapour, smog or spray within the work area; Nuisance, which can be any act or omission that affects the comfort or quality of life; and Vibration, which is caused by using plant and equipment that may damage structures, buildings or natural formations.

5. Ways to prevent pollution Source reduction Recycle Treatment Disposal Having a good environmental record can give a business a considerable advantage in the modern marketplace. Industry has a dramatic impact on our environment. In fact, over 50% of waste and pollution is generated by the business sector.

6. Ways to prevent pollution Preventing pollution requires us to reduce or eliminate the wastes generated from our work. Prevention methods include: Source reduction - for example, reducing solvent use, extending service intervals etc.; Recycling- re-treating products such as truck diesel engine oil, so it can be used in a power station; Treatment- such as precipitating heavy metal from a spent chrome plating bath; Disposal- storing and disposing of hazardous chemicals and materials correctly.

7. Noise Pollution Mobile equipment silencers in good order Grinding or hammering near occupied buildings Plan your work Erect sound barriers where needed Substitute quieter machinery Size the equipment for the job

8. Waste management- source reduction • Product Changes: • design • increase product life • Process Changes: • substituting chemicals • improving operating conditions • changing maintenance of equipment • changing operating & maintenance practices • improving material handling • improving inventory control • performing training

9. Ground pollution: Do we do any of the following? Dispose of oil filters in the bin Store or dispense oil outside bound areas Service vehicles in the field and spill oil Degrease equipment outside run-off contained areas Operate equipment with out adequate covering Drive on roads that are not formed or designated Over fill rubbish bins Clear vegetation without permits

10. Water Pollution Ways poisonous, noxious or polluting matter can enter water sources: Spillage from wash down areas Fuel or chemical spillage Washing concrete and grout from mixers Damaged underground pipes Leakage from oil facilities Drainage from wet concrete Portable ablution facilities not connected to a controlled disposal system

11. Air Pollution Consequences Consequences of air pollution are: Short and long term respiratory problems Contamination of crops Smoke and smog can screen sunlight Acidic steam and gases

12. Nuisance Excessive Noise -Excessive noise can be a considerable nuisance to neighbours. It is important to minimise noise emissions, particularly outside normal operating hours and in areas adjacent to sensitive land uses such as residential areas, schools etc. Excessive Vibration - Excessive vibration may cause property damage and be a nuisance to neighbours. Vibration may be due to blasting, piling, truck movements and compacting operations. Care should be taken when working close to residential and sensitive land uses.

13. Vibration Personal: Hand –arm Whole body Occupational Disease Environmental : Damage to buildings and Natural formations

14. Rules to protect the environment Think of the consequences. Plan your work. Drive on designated roads only. Don’t set fire to rubbish. Keep your work area clean. Place rubbish in the bin. Don’t dispose of oil filter in the rubbish bin. Use oil traps. Don’t clear vegetation without permits. If in doubt, ask.

15. Benefits Preventing injury and harm to health. Increased morale and participation by workers. The Business enhances its image. Reduced operating costs. Reduced criminal and civil liability. Protecting public health and the environment.

16. Summary We all can have a major impact on our work area environment. The business can design structures, methods and procedures to control identified pollutants but unless you report deviations, non- conformance, damage and failure to follow procedures, significant environmental damage can occur. Management of Environmental Values Airport environment Strategy (AES) Airport Site Management Procedures Annual Environment report Integrated Management Plan (IMS) Environmental Monitoring Program Master Plan Commonwealth and State Legislation

17. THANK YOUFor participating