Environmental Policy

Atherton Material Handling Ltd will also continue to raise the level of awareness of environmental issues, to foster a growing commitment by its workforce to its environmental objectives and to promote this communication to the public.

This environmental policy statement will be supplemented by detailed objectives, management arrangements, systems and procedures for monitoring progress and achievements to satisfy this statement and thereby comply with all environmental statutory requirements and the client’s environmental policy statement.

In pursuit of these objectives, Atherton Material Handling Ltd is implementing programmes for…

• Ensuring compliance with applicable legislation.

• Reducing noise and vibrations.

• Reducing emissions and pollution.

• Reducing and managing waste.

• Conserving energy.

• Protecting countryside ecology.

• Assessing our environmental performance.

1. POLICY

1.1 Atherton Material Handling Ltd generates waste in two primary locations:

• In depots, workshops and offices.

• On work sites.

1.2 Atherton Material Handling Ltd Environmental Policy will provide a mechanism by which all employees can ensure that activities comply with and fulfill the Environmental Policy, specifically but not limited to:

• Environmental legislation guide.

• ‘Cradle to grave’ concept.

• Risk assessment.

• Waste Management.

• Recommended control measures.

1.3 Production activities invariably produce waste. The control and management of waste is as follows:

Cradle to the Grave
The basic concept is that every aspect of our business complies with sound environmental management as well as legislation, form the original source of material through to the final commissioning of the work and disposal of unusable waste.

1.4 Risk Assessments will be a principle method of identifying activities, which have potential for damage, so that appropriate action can be taken to avoid loss. Particular note will be taken of:

Water Courses
The ground and drainage systems contain spilled leaked diesel fuel, lubricating oil, coolants, anti-freeze and hydraulic oils from plant in concentrations depending on location. These pollutants are conducted through the drainage system and eventually outfall into watercourses either as a point discharge or as diffuse discharge.

Noise and Dust
These ‘pollutants’ are characteristic of maintenance activities and other site work, especially if the work takes place outside ‘normal’ hours. This requires pre-work site assessments and careful planning to minimise these ‘nuisances’.

Vegetation
Vegetation has to be managed because, uncontrolled, it can affect safety and adjacent property. Atherton Material Handling Ltd must ensure that its activities are consistent with relevant Standards on vegetation management and Statutory Legislation.

At Depots
The activities carried out in depots including those for maintenance, servicing and repairs of machines and small plant face risks from potential pollution and contamination:

• Spillages and contamination of Land and Water Courses.

• Noise and exhaust fumes – engine running up, tests.

• Storage of materials and waste.

• Surface run off water contaminated by oil and chemicals.

• Paint fume and welding fume.

• Unavoidable waste products will include oil, scrap metal, batteries, domestic and energy/water usage.

2. ORGANISATION

2.1 Atherton Material Handling Ltd make themselves fully aware of site conditions before starting work to ensure, where possible, that any existing contamination and pollutants are noted and advised to the Client. With regard to sites that are likely to have an adverse impact on the neighbouring environment our company policy is be to liaise initially with the Client and to inform locals within the immediate vicinity by door to door delivery of leaflets. Owing to the nature of works the necessity for this type of interface rarely occurs.

2.2 Specific Staff have nominated responsibilities within the company to ensure the application of prescribed control measures in accordance with assessed risks.

3. PLANNING & IMPLEMENTATION

3.1 The type of work-undertaken impacts directly on the environment, there is a need to be aware of the following:

• Conservation Areas.

• Sites of Special Scientific Interest.

• Tree Preservation Areas.

3.2 The Clients instructions must be strictly adhered to in this respect. Any identified need for variation must be brought to the Clients attention before any action is taken which may affect the items mentioned above.

3.3 The Waste Management Licensing Regulations (1994) control the treatment, storage, transport and disposal of waste. Licenses are required for these operations. Currently Atherton Material Handling hold a transportation license for the transportation of waste.

3.4 Atherton Material Handling Ltd has total commitment to ensuring that production activities in no way damage or put the environment at risk.

4. MEASURING PERFORMANCE

4.1 Atherton Material Handling Ltd places importance on the Auditing/surveillance process, (not only for environmental issues but also for technical, quality and safety matters).

4.2 The responsibility for monitoring the effectiveness of Company screening programmes and disciplinary actions rests with the Managing Director.

4.3 Documented plans for audits are produced and corrective actions recorded within the system. Environmental audits will also be taken as part of the Managing Directors safety surveillance and inspection tours as many environmental type risks could relate from absence of safety control measures.

4.4 Reviews of all corrective actions, surveillance and any environmentally connected complaints will be undertaken to formulate plans for the continual improvement of the effects of our activities on the environment.

4.5 Pre – identify watercourses adjacent to work site and take precautions to ensure that unintentional run-offs are prevented by application of risk assessment control measures.

Recommended Control Measures. These to include but not be limited to:

• The Managing Director or his delegated representative who will have responsibility for ensuring Environmental Policy is implemented.

• Correct Labelling and storage of hazardous items.

• Adherence to manufacturer’s instructions for storage, use and transport of their products.

• Adherence to Clients contractual requirements.

• Ensure all employees are fully briefed on the environmental procedures at their place of work.

• Identify the potential impact of site operation on neighbours and initiate procedures to pre – advise them, after seeking too eliminate or reduce that impact.

• Emergency oil and chemical spills materials are available in depots, and on site.

4.6 In order to ensure that all members of staff have been fully briefed and fully understand the details of the Company Policy and its enforcement, documentary evidence will be completed by each individual and retained with personnel records.

5. AUDIT AND REVIEW

5.1 Every 12 months the Managing Director will review the environmental policy and its effectiveness.

More Information

If you require further information regarding any area of our Environmental Policy (as above), please contact Atherton Material Handling directly on 01777 817000. Alternatively, you can direct questions to us via our Enquiries Form and we’ll look to respond to you as quickly as possible.