Can anybody provide me aspects identified foe ETP for plating industry? Yesterday we have a surveillance audit for ISO 14001:2004. We have addressed the ETP aspects but auditor says that ETP aspects are unsufficient. Aspects for ETP is to be elaborated.

Dear Sushil Kumar,

If you could explain your plating process and attach the aspects and impacts analysis it is likely that I can help you.

Best wishes,

Ramakrishnan

Dear Sir,
I am herewith attaching the aspects identified in chrome plating plant. but auditor says that ETP aspects to elaborated. Kindly make your comments.

Dear Sushil Kumar,

did the auditor comment the tables form or was his only wish to precise the aspects of your plating process?
What is the benefit of this kind of table (it seems you will have a lot of them) for your company?

In a first view it seems to me very detailed.

With best regards
QMarc

Dear Sushil,

From whatever information you have provided it appears that the auditor has done the right job; he has pointed out to you that you had not identified the aspects and impacts of the effluent treatment plant activity and assessed their significance. Effluent Treatment by itself is an activity; if you appreciate this, you will definitely appreciate your auditor's recommendation. In my opinion your auditor has indeed added value to your system by suggesting this - this will help you to reduce the risk to your organization from violation of Water (P & CP)Act/Rule.

With best regards,

Ramakrishnan

Dear Sushil,

From whatever information you have provided it appears that the auditor has done the right job; he has pointed out to you that you had not identified the aspects and impacts of the effluent treatment plant activity and assessed their significance. Effluent Treatment by itself is an activity; if you appreciate this, you will definitely appreciate your auditor's recommendation. In my opinion your auditor has indeed added value to your system by suggesting this - this will help you to reduce the risk to your organization from violation of Water (P & CP)Act/Rule.

With best regards,

Ramakrishnan
Dear Sir,
I agree with you that auditor has added the value to orgenization. Our lead auditor has a very good exposure to envirinmental standatds. But I want refence guidence from any other company ETP aspects

Dear Sir,
I agree with you that auditor has added the value to orgenization. Our lead auditor has a very good exposure to envirinmental standatds. But I want refence guidence from any other company ETP aspects

Dear Sushil,

As you have not provided any information on the ETP that you have, I have taken an example to explain to you as to how to proceed identifying and assessing the aspects for an ETP operation. It is only indicative; not exhaustive. You may have to align this for your ETP.

Assuming that your treatment of Cr(VI) involves the following: (a) collection of effluents with high concentration of Cr(VI), (b) reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr (III), (c) Precipitation of Cr (III) into metal hydroxide, (d) Filtration of hydroxide and (e) disposal of metal hydroxide, I would suggest that you identify aspects and impacts for each of these sub-activities. For example, a quick analysis shows that the following aspects are possible (not exhaustive, but indicative):

· Leakage of Cr(VI) rich effluent into soil (Impact: Soil pollution, Water Pollution)
· Emission of Sulphur-di-oxide (assuming that you use bisulphite or SO2 for reduction) (Impact (Air Pollution)
· Leakage of Sulphur dioxide (in case you use a sulphur dioxide gas) (Impact: Air Pollution)
· Accidental discharge of effluents with Cr(VI) content higher than regulatory limits (Impact: Water Pollution)
· Spillage of Cr(III) hydroxide (Impact: Soil Pollution)
· Discharge of effluents with Cr(III) content (Impact: Water Pollution) etc.

You may, for your effluent treatment facility, assess the significance of these aspects using the method that you already have.

Since you have not given the process of treatment in your ETP, I have assumed a process and tried to explain to you as to how to proceed. I am sure this will help you to carry out the aspect and impact analysis for your ETP system.

Hope to have been of some assistance to you,

With best regards,

Ramakrishnan

Don't get all wrapped around an axel trying to identify "all" aspects and "all" of their impacts the 1st time around. A&I identification should become part of your "continual improvement" efforts.

Think of your initial A&I effort as the trunk of a tree. As you "improve" the branches and roots start to spread out taking up more area, reaching higher and going deeper. Your efforts in aspect and impact identification should be the same.

I never expect to see "all" apects and "impacts" identified when I assess a system and I do not teach it that way. Why? Because it will not and it can not reasonably happen. There are too many variables. What I do expect is a methodical, consistant process that encompasses every activity, product and service as well as those related to contractors and suppliers. The process is revisted as a scheduled activity the results of which are documented and incorporated into the other effected/relevant clauses of ISO 14001.

Thanks Sir,
You have provided the guidence, which I was looking for. It will provide a great help in elaborating the aspects.

Dear Sushil,

As you have not provided any information on the ETP that you have, I have taken an example to explain to you as to how to proceed identifying and assessing the aspects for an ETP operation. It is only indicative; not exhaustive. You may have to align this for your ETP.

Assuming that your treatment of Cr(VI) involves the following: (a) collection of effluents with high concentration of Cr(VI), (b) reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr (III), (c) Precipitation of Cr (III) into metal hydroxide, (d) Filtration of hydroxide and (e) disposal of metal hydroxide, I would suggest that you identify aspects and impacts for each of these sub-activities. For example, a quick analysis shows that the following aspects are possible (not exhaustive, but indicative):

· Leakage of Cr(VI) rich effluent into soil (Impact: Soil pollution, Water Pollution)
· Emission of Sulphur-di-oxide (assuming that you use bisulphite or SO2 for reduction) (Impact (Air Pollution)
· Leakage of Sulphur dioxide (in case you use a sulphur dioxide gas) (Impact: Air Pollution)
· Accidental discharge of effluents with Cr(VI) content higher than regulatory limits (Impact: Water Pollution)
· Spillage of Cr(III) hydroxide (Impact: Soil Pollution)
· Discharge of effluents with Cr(III) content (Impact: Water Pollution) etc.

You may, for your effluent treatment facility, assess the significance of these aspects using the method that you already have.

Since you have not given the process of treatment in your ETP, I have assumed a process and tried to explain to you as to how to proceed. I am sure this will help you to carry out the aspect and impact analysis for your ETP system.

Hope to have been of some assistance to you,

With best regards,

Ramakrishnan

@Randy

What I do expect is a methodical, consistant process that encompasses every activity, product and service as well as those related to contractors and suppliers. The process is revisted as a scheduled activity the results of which are documented and incorporated into the other effected/relevant clauses of ISO 14001.

Thats the reason why I asked for the tables benefit. ;)

QMarc