Abstract
The SPDC Alakiri experience has demonstrated that the preferred route to external environmental certification is the implementation of an HSE management system aligned to ISO 14001 standard.
This approach is consistent with Shell HSE MS requirements and guarantees staff and contractor buy-in, promotes ownership and accountability and yields result faster. There is the added merit of very little additional cost required to align the HSE MS elements with ISO 14001 elements, mainly from consultancy and verification/certification fees.
Also, adopting an integrated (HSE MS) approach to risk management enables the component risks in the business to be weighed from the perspectives of their Health, Safety and Environmental impact, and how any failure in the ineffective administration of one would interrelate and/or impact on another.
However, in using HSE MS as a vehicle for external environmental certification in an operating company, it is essential to distinguish between HSE MS ‘Risk’ as described using the Risk Assessment Matrix (RAM) and ‘significant environmental aspect’ as used under the ISO 14001 regime. More parameters are considered in determining environmental significance. Once an ‘E’ aspect is adjudged as significant, the onus is on the asset custodian to show that there are operational controls in place to mitigate against the release of the hazard(s) as well as ensure the reduction of residual risks/impact to as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP).
Other benefits of an HSE MS approach include (i) HSE competence development for staff and contractor personnel HSE competencies all at once, sufficient to address gaps in technical operations and contractor activities. (ii) Focus on operational control to manage inherent risk. (iii) Significant cost savings from material and energy consumption. (iv) Reduction in HSE incidents, not just environmental incidents and (v) Co-operative and harmonious relationship with stakeholders, especially host communities. A positive relationship with host communities results in less production deferment and better public image. Overall, our experience with the pilot project has demonstrated that with management commitment and motivation to change attitude, external environmental certification is achievable in a complex operating company.
