NEBOSH CERTIFICATE IN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT - UNITS EC1 & EC2 Management and Control of Environmental Hazards NEBOSH CERTIFICATE IN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT UNIT EC1: MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS Element 1: Foundations in Environmental Management Element 2: Environmental Management Systems Element 3: Environmental Impact Assessments Element 4: Control of Emissions to Air Element 5: Control of Contamination of Water Sources Element 6: Control of Waste and Land Use Element 7: Sources and Use of Energy and Energy Efficiency Element 8: Control of Environmental Noise Element 9: Planning for and Dealing with Environmental Emergencies Contributors Ms Jacqui Sculley, BSc (Hons), MCIEH, CMIOSH, AIEMA, Cert Ed John Binns, BSc (Hons), MSc, MSc, MIEMA Richard Dalley, PhD, CBiol © RRC International ACKNOWLEDGMENTS All rights reserved. RRC International is the trading name of The Rapid RRC International would like to thank the National Examination Board Results College Limited, Tuition House, 27-37 St George’s Road, in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH) for their co-operation in London, SW19 4DS, UK. allowing us to reproduce extracts from their syllabus guides. These materials are provided under licence from The Rapid Results This publication contains public sector information published by the College Limited.
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RRC Module No: EC1.2 Whilst the information in this book is believed to be true and accurate ISBN for this volume: 978-1-911002-51-2 Third edition Spring 2017 at the date of going to press, neither the author nor the publisher can accept any legal responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions that may be made. Contents Element 1: Foundations in Environmental Management The Scope and Nature of Environmental Management 1-3 Definition of the Environment 1-3 The Multi-Disciplinary Nature of Environmental Management 1-4 Size of the Environmental Problem 1-5 Study Questions 1-16 The Ethical, Legal and Financial Reasons for Maintaining and Promoting Environmental Management 1-17 Rights and Expectations of Local Residents, Indigenous People, Supply Chain, Customers and Employees 1-18 Outcomes of Incidents 1-18 The Actions and Implications of Pressure Groups 1-20 Overview of Legal Issues 1-20 Legal Rights of Individuals 1-21 Penalties for Non-Compliance with Law 1-21 Different Levels of Standards 1-21 The Business Case for Environmental Management 1-22 Study Questions 1-24 The Importance of Sustainability 1-25 Meaning of Sustainability 1-25 Importance of Sustainable Development 1-26 Study Question 1-29 The Role of National Governments and International Bodies in Formulating A Legal Framework for The Regulation of Environmental Management 1-30 International Law 1-30 The Role of the European Union in Harmonising Environmental Standards 1-34 The Importance of Knowing and Understanding Local Legislation 1-34 Meaning of BAT and BPEO 1-34 The Role of Enforcement Agencies and Consequences of Non-Compliance 1-35 Study Questions 1-36 Summary 1-37 Exam Skills 1-38 2-3 Contents Element 2: Environmental Management Systems Reasons for Implementing an Environmental Management System (EMS) 2-3 Introduction to Environmental Management Systems 2-3 Demonstrating Management Commitment 2-3 Study Question 2-5 The Key Features and Appropriate Content of an Effective EMS 2-6 Introduction to ISO 14001 2-6 ISO 14001 2-6 Initial Environmental Review 2-7 Context of the Organisation 2-8 Leadership 2-9 Planning 2-10 Support 2-13 Operation 2-14 Performance Evaluation 2-15 Active Monitoring Measures 2-19 Reactive Monitoring Measures 2-21 Review of Environmental Performance 2-22 Improvement 2-24 Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) 2-25 Study Questions 2-27 Benefits and Limitations of Introducing Formal EMS into the Workplace 2-28 Benefits of Introducing ISO 14001 into an Organisation 2-28 Limitations of Introducing ISO 14001 into an Organisation 2-29 ISO 14000 Family of Standards 2-30 Study Question 2-31 Summary 2-32 Exam Skills 2-33 Contents Element 3: Environmental Impact Assessments Reasons for Carrying Out Environmental Impact Assessments 3-3 Why Identify Environmental Impacts? 3-3 Aims and Objectives of Impact Assessment 3-3 Cradle-to-Grave Concept (Life-Cycle Analysis) 3-6 Study Questions 3-7 Types of Environmental Impact 3-8 Direct and Indirect Impacts 3-8 Contamination of the Atmosphere 3-8 Contamination of Land 3-8 Contamination of the Aquatic Environment 3-8 Effects on the Community 3-9 Effects on the Ecosystem 3-9 Use of Raw Materials and Natural Resources 3-9 Study Question 3-10 Nature and Key Sources of Environmental Information 3-11 Internal to the Organisation 3-11 Study Question 3-12 External to the Organisation 3-12 Principles and Practice of Impact Assessments 3-13 Implementing an EMS 3-13 Context 3-13 Concept of Source, Pathway, Receptor when Assessing Environmental Risk 3-13 Specific Impacts 3-15 Identifying Receptors at Risk 3-16 Identification of Aspects and Impacts 3-16 Evaluating Impact and Adequacy of Current Controls 3-18 Activities of Suppliers 3-19 Recording Significant Aspects 3-19 Reviewing 3-19 Study Question 3-19 Summary 3-20 Exam Skills 3-21 2-5 Contents Element 4: Control of Emissions to Air Air Quality Standards 4-3 Why Are There Air Quality Standards? 4-3 Meaning and Uses of PPM and MGM-3 4-3 The Potential Effects of Poor Air Quality 4-3 The Role of Air-Quality Standards 4-4 Study Question 4-5 The Main Types of Emissions to Atmosphere 4-6 Types of Emission and their Hazards 4-6 Common Pollutants 4-9 Study Question 4-12 Control Measures to Reduce Emissions 4-13 Controlling Air Pollution 4-13 Control Hierarchy 4-13 Examples of Technology 4-14 Study Questions 4-25 Summary 4-26 Exam Skills 4-27 Element 5: Control of Contamination of Water Sources Importance of the Quality of Water for Life 5-3 What is Meant by Safe Drinking Water 5-3 The Water Cycle 5-5 Water for Agriculture and Industry 5-6 Impact of Water Pollution on Wildlife 5-6 The Potential Effects of Pollution on Water Quality 5-8 Study Question 5-8 Main Sources of Water Pollution 5-9 Controlling Sources of Water Pollution 5-9 Study Questions 5-14 Main Control Measures Available to Reduce Contamination of Water Sources 5-15 Control Hierarchy 5-15 Control Methods 5-16 Controls for Storage and Spillage 5-19 Controls for Waste Water 5-24 Study Question 5-26 Summary 5-28 Exam Skills 5-29 Contents Element 6: Control of Waste and Land Use Categories of Waste 6-3 The Waste Framework Directive 6-3 Definition of Waste 6-3 Inert Waste 6-4 Hazardous Waste 6-4 Non-Hazardous Waste 6-5 Clinical Waste 6-5 Radioactive Waste 6-6 Controlled Waste (UK) 6-6 Study Questions 6-6 Minimising Waste 6-7 Waste - a Worldwide Problem 6-7 The Waste Hierarchy 6-9 Benefits, Limitations and Barriers to Re-use and Recycling 6-10 Study Question 6-11 Managing Waste 6-12 What is the Waste Chain? 6-12 Recognition of the Key Steps 6-12 Responsible Waste Management 6-12 On-Site Separation and Storage including Segregation, Identification and Labelling 6-13 Transportation including Transfer to an Authorised Person and Required Regulatory Documentation 6-14 Differing Requirements for Waste 6-15 Disposal 6-15 Producer Responsibility 6-16 Packaging Waste 6-16 Electrical and Electronic Waste 6-16 Waste from Construction Projects 6-18 Study Question 6-18 Outlets Available for Waste 6-19 Landfill and Incineration as Ultimate Disposal Routes 6-19 Other Treatment or Disposal Routes 6-22 Waste Disposal in Developing Countries 6-23 Costs and the Impact of Landfill and Aggregate Taxes 6-23 Study Questions 6-24 Risks Associated with Contaminated Land 6-25 The Potential Effects of Contaminated Land to the Environment 6-25 Contaminated Land Liabilities 6-26 Study Questions 6-27 Summary 6-28 Exam Skills 6-29 Contents Element 7: Sources and Uses of Energy and Energy Efficiency Benefits and Limitations of Fossil Fuels 7-3 Examples of Fossil Fuels 7-3 Benefits and Limitations of Their Use as an Energy Source 7-6 Study Question 7-8 Other Sources of Energy 7-9 Fossil Fuel Alternatives 7-9 Solar 7-9 Wind 7-10 Hydroelectric 7-10 Wave 7-10 Tidal Power 7-11 Geothermal 7-11 Nuclear 7-11 Combined Heat and Power (CHP) 7-12 Biodigesters 7-12 Methane Recovery 7-13 Biomass 7-13 Benefits and Limitations of the Use of Alternative Energy Sources 7-13 Energy Supply in Remote Regions and Developing Countries 7-16 Study Questions 7-16 The Importance of Energy Efficiency 7-17 Why Reduce Energy Consumption? 7-17 Reductions in Carbon Dioxide Emissions 7-17 Savings in Energy Bills and Peak Load Management 7-18 Study Question 7-18 Control Measures Available to Enable Energy Efficiency 7-19 Reducing Energy Use 7-19 Insulation 7-19 Choice of Equipment 7-20 Maintenance and Control Systems 7-20 Initiatives 7-22 Information, Instruction, Training and Supervision 7-22 Building Design 7-23 Fuel Choice for Transport and the Optimisation of Vehicle Use 7-23 Study Question 7-25 Summary 7-26 Exam Skills 7-27 Contents Element 8: Control of Environmental Noise Sources of Environmental Noise and their Consequences 8-3 The Characteristics of Noise which Lead to it Being a Nuisance 8-3 Sources of Industrial Environmental Noise 8-4 Other Sources of Noise 8-6 Study Question 8-7 Methods for the Control of Environmental Noise 8-8 Basic Noise Control Techniques 8-8 Study Question 8-11 Summary 8-12 Exam Skills 8-13 Element 9: Planning and Dealing with Environmental Emergencies Emergency Planning to Protect the Environment 9-3 The Effects of Unplanned Incidents on the Environment 9-3 General Duty or Responsibility Not to Pollute 9-4 Part of the Environmental Management System 9-4 Need for Prompt Action to Protect People and the Environment 9-4 Risks of Prosecution and Other Costs 9-4 Reputational Issues 9-5 Study Question 9-5 Planning for Emergencies 9-6 Emergency Response Plan 9-6 Emergency Control Centre (ECC) 9-8 Training and Practices 9-9 Recognising Risk Situations and Action to Take 9-9 Materials to Deal with Spills 9-10 Access to Site Plans 9-10 Inventory of Materials 9-11 Environmental Hazards Associated with Fire 9-11 Liaison with Regulatory Bodies and Emergency Services 9-12 Protecting and Liaising with Local Residents 9-12 Handling the Press and Other Media 9-12 Study Questions 9-13 Summary 9-14 Exam Skills 9-15 Revision and Examination Unit EC2: Environmental Practical Application Suggested Answers 2-9 Introduction Course Structure This textbook has been designed to provide the reader with the core knowledge needed to successfully complete the NEBOSH Certificate in Environmental Management. It follows the structure and content of the NEBOSH syllabus. The NEBOSH Environmental Certificate consists of two units of study.
When you successfully complete any of the units you will receive a Unit Certificate, but to achieve a complete NEBOSH Environmental Certificate qualification you need to pass both units within a five-year period. For more detailed information about how the syllabus is structured, visit the NEBOSH website (www. Unit EC1: Management and Control of Environmental Hazards Element 1 Foundations in Environmental Management Element 2 Environmental Management Systems Element 3 Environmental Impact Assessments Element 4 Control of Emissions to Air Element 5 Control of Contamination of Water Sources Element 6 Control of Waste and Land Use Element 7 Sources and Use of Energy and Energy Efficiency Element 8 Control of Environmental Noise Element 9 Planning for and Dealing with Environmental Emergencies Revision and Examination Unit EC2: Environmental Practical Application The Practical Application UNIT EC1 UNIT EC2 NEBOSH Certificate Management and in Environmental Environmental Practical Control of Environmental Hazards Application Management 10 Introduction Assessment To complete the qualification, you need to pass one formal written exam (for Unit EC1), as well as a practical examination of your workplace, including a short report to management (Unit EC2). The written exam is two hours long and consists of one long question (20% of the marks) and ten short questions (each being 8% of the total marks).
You must answer all questions. More Information As you work your way through this book, always remember to relate your own experiences in the workplace to the topics you study. An appreciation of the practical application and significance of environmental health and safety will help you understand the topics. Keeping Yourself Up to Date The field of environmental health and safety is constantly evolving and, as such, it will be necessary for you to keep up to date with changing legislation and best practice.