Environmental Management Systems

Most of our work within the education sector has revolved around the concept of environmental management. This has included working with a number of colleges and universities to evaluate Legal Compliance often leading to a full implementation of the Environmental Management Standard ISO14001. The nature of higher education institutes such as universities means that they are large and highly complex organisations, with issues as wide ranging as childcare services, reprographics departments, science and technology laboratories or workshops not to mention any site specific issues which could include Tree Preservation Orders, or the potential impact on Sites of Specific Scientific Interest. Consequently it is often more cost effective for them to engage experienced specialist consultants such as Penarth Management Limited to assist with the implementation of an Environmental Management System on this scale.

Often with organisations such as universities we find that there are already many good practices in place, but because of the size and complexity of the organisation where many faculties do not regularly communicate with one another, it is often difficult for somebody inside the organisation to know where to begin, or to be able to overcome the issue of internal politics.

In assisting universities to achieve certification to ISO14001, it is normal to find that there are benefits for other schemes such as the Green Gown Awards, Eco-Campus and People & Planet.

Owing to the size of educational establishments, it is common to find that there is a desire to train internal environmental auditors. Depending on the establishment, this training may be delivered to staff or to students as part of their curriculum.

Where staff have a great deal of environmental responsibility (and normally some experience of the internal audit process), there may be an added benefit in achieving the IEMA approved foundation course in environmental auditing.

Other environmental work that we have carried out on behalf of the education sector includes the production of training materials and resources aimed at increasing the environmental content of the curriculum. A major project was undertaken to improve the teaching of courses related to construction and the built environment.

Educational establishments consume large quantities of energy. It is not surprising, therefore, that many such establishments are looking to enhance their existing ISO14001 management systems by including a formal Energy Management System to meet the requirements of BS EN 16001.

Educational establishments recognise that the environmental factors only represent one part of the sustainability concept which also incorporates social and economic factors. It is therefore common for more sustainable practices to be implemented. Typical examples of ways in which this is practiced within a university setting includes the purchasing of food produce from local sources; the sale of Fair Trade products from refectories and Student's Union outlets; souring of local produce for meals served in refectories or cafeterias; engaging local subcontractors or suppliers to deliver services or products etc.

Sustainability standards such as 'BS 8900 Guidance for managing sustainable development' have been used by some universities to provide a framework for their system. The sustainability maturity matrix can provide a useful tool against which to measure one's own performance, and therefore help to guide future decisions.

Although most of our work in the educational sector has focused on Environmental Management Systems, we have also assisted in the implementation of Quality Management Systems to meet the requirements of ISO9001. Within a university setting, additional requirements also need to be considered such as the QAA Guidelines. With the implementation of Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) for Higher Education Code of Practice for the assurance of academic quality and standards in higher education (QAA Guidelines). We have direct experience of implementing Section 10: Admissions to higher education.

Just like any other work environment with five or more employees, risk assessments should be carried out and documented for educational establishments. Penarth Management Limited has assisted schools with the task of understanding how to carry out risk assessments. For any schools requiring support with this activity, we can supply CRB cleared consultants to assist with the review and updating of documented risk assessments. We are also able to offer risk assessment training.

To find out how Penarth Management may be able to assist your educational establishment contact us at info@penarth.co.uk or give us a call on 029 2070 3328.