Episode One
Regulators are moving to enforce a change for the good of our planet. But you get busy, and it’s easy to forget your obligations, and the fines for non-compliance… well – they are a rather expensive reminder.
So what should you do to keep on top of your obligations?
The answer is provided within the GEDs – or General Environmental Duties of the new Environment Protection Act 2017. And to achieve that easily and maintain an ongoing success, you will need a digital backbone with a strong IMS focus that will provide you the tools you need to make this job easier.
You see, when changes are taking place they call for action. Any change at which we want to succeed demands our responsibility and adaptability.
As we all know, environmental changes are taking place all around us right now, and they call upon us to do our part for our beautiful planet.
And while the times are a changin, one permanent fact still remains – Bob Dylan will be forever remembered as one of the greatest songwriters of all times and as one of the most influential figures of the century.
Come gather ’round people
Wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept it that soon
You’ll be drenched to the bone
If your time to you is worth savin’
Then you better start swimmin’
Or you’ll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin’
– Bob Dylan, 1963
In the face of change, there are two options – one is to adapt to the change, evolve, and survive – which often is the hardest yet more rewarding path. Or there is the option to conveniently place any works related to the change into our “too hard basket” until a more convenient time, which may or may not come, potentially risking to stay behind in one way or another. And it’s the same for any kind of change – whether it is a technological adjustment, a fashion trend or a new legal requirement.
We often resist change, because change means doing things differently and stepping on unfamiliar ground. You have probably noticed that it’s often hard to introduce change to your staff – even if the change itself is seemingly small. It’s almost as if the sheer concept of ‘new’ is perceived as a threat to our routine.
But resist it as we may, change is constant and rapid. Whether we want it or not or whether or not we are ready for it – it will happen. And sooner or later we will be forced to do things differently and adapt to the change in order to “survive”. And as a reward – any change we survive makes us stronger – just like we have seen this year with COVID-19. So why not lead the change? Why not be prepared for the change? Why not learn to foresee and plan for it?
Understanding that the “Waters around you have grown” and that it’s time to “start swimming” is just what evolution is all about. And when the change is of such global scope, we do have to “Come gather ‘round” as Dylan said. Because while we are different and may not necessarily share the same taste in music, food, entertainment choices or political beliefs. We all share one environment.
Introducing the GEDs and growing your state of knowledge within your safety and environmental management system.
GEDs are a collection of General Environmental Duties that form the core of the new Environmental Act and outlined new requirements that specify what steps businesses need to take to reduce risks of harm associated with their activities
The GEDs cover common aspects of waste and pollution including: noise, odour, runof to stormwater, handling of liquids and chemicals, transport, disposal and storage of waste etc. All of which can be controlled to a reasonably practicable degree once the risks have been identified within a safety and environmental management system.
And what can help you identify and control your risks is a concept called “state of knowledge” – which is all of the information that you should reasonably know about what your risks are and how to manage them. This includes information from both internal sources such as your business and external sources such as the EPA, industry bodies, councils, etc.
In the following articles we will elaborate in more detail about the key focus areas, the changes in responsibilities and the best ways to stay a step ahead with your compliance. But for now, let’s focus on how you can identify, control and manage risks in KIM, and how KIM can help you share and grow your state of knowledge with your staff to help them easily adapt to change.
As you can see, knowledge is truly a strong power. But is it really a power in your hands when it’s untraceable, misunderstood, unclear, not shared, not updated and not accounted for? Do your long and tired management systems really allow you to clearly and easily manage your business in real time?
With our safety and environmental management system KIM you don’t need to worry about anything. KIM allows you to:
- Train and induct your workforce
- Manage your jobs, projects, and timesheets
- Fill out SWMS and manage risks, incidents, hazards, and near-misses
- Undertake internal audits
- Complete non-conformity reports
- Complete pre-start and plant safety reports, daily diaries, and check-in and check-outs
- Track the location of your vehicle and manage procurement, inventory, and maintenance
And our safety and environmental management system is exactly what your business needs to create, update, share and maintain SOPs, policies, procedures and work instructions.
Call us now and we can show you how.
© 2022 Autolync Pty Ltd, trading as Kynection