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Receiver of noise pollution

Discussion in 'ISO 14001:2015 - Environmental Management Systems' started by Anna Wagstaffe, Aug 1, 2019.

  1. Anna Wagstaffe

    Anna Wagstaffe Member

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    The company next door to us have air ducts which are noisy during operation. I understand a noise complaint was sent to them some years ago and they made some changes, but this did not really help and our management is loathe to go down that route again.
    At our ISO14001 audit, our auditor suggested that this should be on our aspects and impacts register as we are a receiver of the noise pollution. Is this correct?
    Thanks
     
  2. Andy Nichols

    Andy Nichols Moderator Staff Member

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    Firstly, it's not the job of the auditor to make suggestions. Secondly, your EMS covers YOUR aspects and impacts, not the place next door, so the answer is NO, they are incorrect. I'm not sure what this auditor is thinking but how can next door's noise be part of YOUR EMS? :confused:
     
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  3. tony s

    tony s Well-Known Member

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    Your auditor is wrong. The noise produced by your next door neighbor company is definitely a hazard but not your organization's environmental aspect. The definition says "element of an organization's activities or products or services that interacts or can interact with the environment". Even clause 6.1.2 mentioned "the organization shall determine the environmental aspects of its activities, products and services that it can control and those that it can influence..."
     
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  4. Anna Wagstaffe

    Anna Wagstaffe Member

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    Thanks, that was our view, but we wanted to make sure we weren't missing anything.
     
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  5. Andy Nichols

    Andy Nichols Moderator Staff Member

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    I really, really wish that CB auditors would a) think about their "off hand" comments and b) do their jobs and leave consulting to others.
     
  6. Md. Hasan Ibrahim

    Md. Hasan Ibrahim New Member

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    Yes, it is correct to include the noisy air ducts from the company next door in your ISO14001 aspects and impacts register. As a receiver of the noise pollution, it's essential to identify and address environmental aspects that affect your organization.

    This step aligns with ISO14001 requirements for environmental management and demonstrates your commitment to minimizing the impact of such noise pollution on your operations and surroundings.
    You should also consider engaging with the neighboring company to explore potential solutions collaboratively.
     
  7. Andy Nichols

    Andy Nichols Moderator Staff Member

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    As stated above, this is incorrect advice. An organization’s environmental aspects and impacts cannot practically consider things over which they have zero control. The auditor - and this comment - are in error in this respect.
     
  8. tony s

    tony s Well-Known Member

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    The definition of environmental aspect is different from a workplace hazard. An environmental aspect of one organization can pose as a hazard to another organization. The noisy air ducts of the neighbor company is a hazard that Anna's organization should consider - not an environmental aspect of Anna's company's activities, products and services.
     
    Last edited: Oct 15, 2023
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