Environmental aspects in a bank

V

Victoria M

Hi! I am wondering if you could help me determine if the following aspects should be included in the list for he activities of a Bank:
- Cleaning of water tanks (done by a third party every month)
- Fumigation (done by a third party every month)
I believe the answer is NO, but I just wanted a second opinion.

On the other hand, which system and metrics would you recommend to evaluate impacts. I am using: Risk * Consequence + Legal requeriment, but I am not sure if this is the best option and, what are the best values for each term.

Thanks a lot for your help!
Victoria
 

John Broomfield

Leader
Super Moderator
Hi! I am wondering if you could help me determine if the following aspects should be included in the list for he activities of a Bank:
- Cleaning of water tanks (done by a third party every month)
- Fumigation (done by a third party every month)
I believe the answer is NO, but I just wanted a second opinion.

On the other hand, which system and metrics would you recommend to evaluate impacts. I am using: Risk * Consequence + Legal requeriment, but I am not sure if this is the best option and, what are the best values for each term.

Thanks a lot for your help!
Victoria

Victoria,

How about frequency * consequence * ability to detect? Then what cannot be prevented can be made readily detectable to help manage the risk.

Environmental aspects that are subject to legal requirements usually end up being evaluated as significant so they attract the necessary controls for compliance.

Your organization is responsible for the work of its suppliers on the bank’s behalf. I cannot comment further on the aspects you’ve mentioned here but we may help more if we knew your reasons for deciding NO. Let us review your reasons.

Lastly, does the scope of your EMS include employees commuting and customers visiting your bank? Are you making your EMS part of your business management system along with IT security and its power consumption?

John
 
V

Victoria M

Hi John and thanks for your answer.

Regarding the question about fumigation and water tanks, I believe that, nevertheless is mandatory by law and the Bank of course is responsible for their suppliers, it is not an activity thar directly relates to the operation of the Bank and it is something that the Bank can directly "mitigate" or operate, just make shure that the supplier complies with all the requerimets stated by the regulation (products that can be used, frequency).

Considering the formula, there is just one issue that concerns me. They have underground diesel tanks in case they need to generate energy. So, for example, the possibility of an explosion or fire is improbable (1 point-the lowest), the consequence will be severe if this happens (4 points-the highest), and they commply with all the requirements (1 point) = 1*4+1=5 this means that according to my scale it will be classified as low, and I am not very comfortable with that.

About the scope, it does not include employees commuting nor customers visiting the bank. I didn't quite fully understand what you mean by if I'm making the EMS part of the business management system along with IT security and its power consumption?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!
 

Ninja

Looking for Reality
Trusted Information Resource
Just a thought...

These might not be "included in the list for he activities of a Bank", but I would expect them on the list for "Operating a bank branch" or "Operating banking facilities".

There was a sewage leak a couple months ago at the bank branch I typically use...they didn't do any banking there for a week...
Wells Fargo continued to do banking, but that branch did not operate or contribute revenue.
 
V

Victoria M

Hi Ninja and thanks.

I see your point. I am including these 2 items in the legal matrix and in the future when I develop the monitoring plan. But I am not sure if they should be also be considered as an environmental aspect.
What do you mean by "list for "Operating a bank branch" or "Operating banking facilities""?

Thanks!
 

John Broomfield

Leader
Super Moderator
Hi John and thanks for your answer.

Regarding the question about fumigation and water tanks, I believe that, nevertheless is mandatory by law and the Bank of course is responsible for their suppliers, it is not an activity thar directly relates to the operation of the Bank and it is something that the Bank can directly "mitigate" or operate, just make shure that the supplier complies with all the requerimets stated by the regulation (products that can be used, frequency).

Considering the formula, there is just one issue that concerns me. They have underground diesel tanks in case they need to generate energy. So, for example, the possibility of an explosion or fire is improbable (1 point-the lowest), the consequence will be severe if this happens (4 points-the highest), and they commply with all the requirements (1 point) = 1*4+1=5 this means that according to my scale it will be classified as low, and I am not very comfortable with that.

About the scope, it does not include employees commuting nor customers visiting the bank. I didn't quite fully understand what you mean by if I'm making the EMS part of the business management system along with IT security and its power consumption?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

Victoria,

Please repeat your assessment for the underground diesel tanks using the formula I suggested and you’ll see that they are significant environmental aspects because any leaks are difficult to detect.

The business management system is the means by which the CEO and his reports get things done. Separating your EMS from the business management system means that it may fail to receive the respect and attention it needs from senior management to prevent pollution.

Much of what your IT security system has in place can support your EMS such as corrective action and internal audit. Keeping these subsystems separate from each other and from the business management system would be suboptimal and may result in more waste.

John
 

somashekar

Leader
Admin
Just a thought...

These might not be "included in the list for he activities of a Bank", but I would expect them on the list for "Operating a bank branch" or "Operating banking facilities".

There was a sewage leak a couple months ago at the bank branch I typically use...they didn't do any banking there for a week...
Wells Fargo continued to do banking, but that branch did not operate or contribute revenue.
This response is so simple, clear and to the point.
As long as you use water and generate waste water, it does not matter if you are a bank or a factory or a distributor. These are non routine activities that has to get your environmental attention......
 
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