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Preparation of Audits and Assessment Protocols
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1.3.4. Preparation of Audits and Assessment Protocols
The information required for background information could be broken down into the following six elements:
Pollution Characteristics: Examine raw materials, processes and products to identify potential contaminants to air, water and land. Review results of laboratory analysis of samples of wastewater effluents, solid waste, ambient air or air emissions (i.e. from stack testing). If data is not available, compare to similar process in the same industry.
Operational Efficiency: This element will be assessed by examining such data as age of technology; comparison with state-of-the-art technologies; efficiency of use of raw materials; energy consumption; water consumption; proportion of wastes produced (solid, wastewater and air emissions); down-time (planned and unplanned); and staff utilization.
Occupational Health & Safety Requirements: The requirements for and the impact of the mitigation measure on occupational health and safety will be assessed.
Impact Assessments: Any reports or work identifying or characterizing the impact of the facility on human health (workers and the surrounding community) and on the environment (nearby and long range impacts) will be reviewed and summarized. If such materials are not available for review, we will examine the potential for such impacts. Contributions to global issues such as greenhouse gas emissions and the release of ozone-depleting substances will also be assessed.
Economic benefits: Economic impact of environmental damages will be assessed.
Improvement Program: Any process changes, new equipment or controls the facility proposes will be assessed. The auditors will propose and cost their own mitigation measures, and develop a final range of cost estimates for total project costs.
