INTRODUCTION
This environmental policy is applicable to all staff that work for Agentdraw Ltd, including both employed and contracted persons. The environment is defined in the Environmental Protection Act as consisting of all, or any, of the following media, namely, the air, water and land, and the medium of air includes the air within buildings and the air within other natural or man-made structures above or below ground.
Our Environmental Policy is to be a responsible corporate citizen in protecting the environment. Agentdraw Ltd is committed to minimising the impact of its activities on the environment, by complying with accepted environmental practices, including the commitment to meet or exceed applicable legal and other requirements, to strive for continual improvement in our environmental management system, and to minimise the creation of waste and pollution. We will, therefore, manage our processes, our materials and our people in order to reduce the environmental impact from our work.
Agentdraw Ltd have set out the following main objectives:
•Reduce, reuse and recycle waste and packaging.
•Improve the efficiency of energy usage.
•Constantly review aspects, objectives and targets.
•Understand the requirements of customers, authorities and agencies.
SCOPE
The purpose of this policy is to highlight some of the actions to be taken by staff working on behalf of Agentdraw Ltd All staffs have a responsibility to take reasonable care of the environment and other people affected by their activities and to co-operate with their employers in meeting their legal obligations. This policy is to be read in conjunction with any relevant policies and risk assessments. All employees are encouraged to understand and implement the objectives of this policy in their day to day work through regular discussion, communication and training. Agentdraw Ltd has a due diligence to monitor the processes and procedures of our subcontractors and partners to ensure they follow the same key principles of this Environmental Policy. Additionally this Environmental Policy Statement will be made available to all interested parties at all times.
ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING
Agentdraw Ltd Environmental Policy forms the basis of Environmental Planning and the identification of environmental impacts with the organisation. However, it is acknowledged that where specifically requested by customers, and ascertained at contractual planning and agreement stage, additional requirements may be produced as required. To confirm our commitment Agentdraw Ltd management has developed a comprehensive policy statement appropriate to our operations as described below.
This policy enables us to set objectives towards sustainable
environmental improvement, which can be measured and monitored regularly and in turn contribute to the prevention of pollution and future protection of the environment.
IMPLEMENTATION
The Managing Director and management through Agentdraw Ltd have specific responsibility for policy development, co-ordination and evaluation of performance. Agentdraw Ltd is committed to minimising the impact of its operations on the environment by means of a programme of continual improvement. Staff must adhere to the recommended guidance for environmental protection. The policy aims are to ensure that any member of staff is not performing their duties in a manner that would be unduly harmful to the environment and unethical. Staffs who strive to save the environment as part of their work activities will in turn make Agentdraw Ltd more cost efficient. All employees are encouraged to understand and implement the objectives of this policy in their day to day work through regular discussion, communication and training.
In particular Agentdraw Ltd will:
• Ensure appropriate resources will continually be made to ensure the environmental policy is implemented in full.
• Discuss environmental issues with all employees, conduct training programmes and encourage best implementation practice by all Agentdraw Ltd personnel.
• Meet, and where appropriate, exceed the requirements of all relevant legislation. Where no regulations exist we shall set our own exacting standards.
• Work with suppliers to minimise the impact of their operations on the environment through a quality purchasing policy.
• Seek to reduce, noise, visual and other impacts on the local environment.
COMMUNICATION
Agentdraw Ltd establishes and maintains procedures for adequate communication, both internal and external, in relation to environmental issues, functions and documentation. All policies and procedures are stored electronically. Staffs are discouraged from printing off e-mails and unnecessary literature, with a preference towards electronic communication and on screen reading.
WORK TRAVEL
All vehicular work travel by car is to be in a vehicle that is well maintained and undertaken by the most efficient route. Car sharing is utilised wherever possible for company journeys. Company vehicles are procured with economy and safety in mind. Journeys are to be planned so that concurrent activities are undertaken as part of the same route. Travel by public transport is also to be by the most efficient means. Ensure all our vehicles are replaced at economic intervals and regularly undergo normal servicing where the key factor is the exhaust emission produced by these vehicles and also ensure they are well below the limits set by the Department of Transport.
RECYCLING
Consumption of materials in all operations, reuse rather than dispose wherever possible and to promote recycled materials. Recycling containers are at various points around the building for paper, plastic, glass & metal.
OFFICE ENERGY SAVING GUIDANCE
A no cost energy saving can be undertaken by good housekeeping and is the result of the behaviour of people using existing installed technology.
| Measure | Action Required |
|---|---|
| Encourage suitable attire. | It should come as no surprise to people that it is normally warm in the summer and cold in the winter, so staff should dress accordingly. |
| Discourage the use of portable heaters. | As all electrical equipment is to be tested and registered for health and safety reasons, private heaters are strictly forbidden. Portable heaters should only be used in exceptional circumstances. |
| Discourage the use of kettles. | Boilers installed in kitchens should be used in preference to kettles. |
| Reduce heat loss through windows. |
If offices are too warm, ensure that radiators are turned down before windows are opened. |
| Examine light fittings. | Check lights are working correctly and to full power. Dirty light fittings cost as much to run as clean ones, but emit a fraction of the light. |
| Check rooms which are seldom used are not continuously lit or heated. |
On a frequent basis. |
| Ensure radiator thermostats are correctly set. |
Check thermostats regularly, especially following particular cold periods. Dissuade staff from blocking radiators. |
| Encourage staff to switch off lights and office equipment, machinery etc. where possible. | Consider times when lights are not in use and no-one is present e.g. switch off at lunch time and at the end of the day. Modern computer equipment is not damaged by switching off. Computers, printers etc. should be turned off when not being used. |
| Water consumption. | All staff are to ensure that taps are turned off properly and that any leaks are reported promptly. |
| Air conditioning. | If offices are too warm, ensure that windows are opened and blinds closed in preference to turning on air conditioning systems. If air conditioning systems are turned on then windows need to be closed. |
TRAINING, AWARENESS AND COMPETENCE
Agentdraw Ltd is committed to ensure that all personnel whose work may make an impact on the environment receive adequate and appropriate training. The primary objective in ensuring appropriate training is to confirm that Agentdraw Ltd personnel performing tasks which can cause significant environmental impacts shall be competent on the basis of appropriate education, training and/or experience.
Main elements of this training include the following:-
• Identification of environmental requirements.
• Awareness of significant environmental impacts, which can be actual or potential, on their respective work activities.
• Awareness of and conformance to, Agentdraw Ltd Environmental Management System.
• Awareness of potential consequences of departure from specified environmental operating procedure.
ENVIRONMENTAL RECORDS
All environmental records relevant to Agentdraw Ltd Environmental Management System procedures and requirements are maintained, stored, identified, indexed and made readily retrievable.
The records are both identifiable and traceable to the activity, product or service involved. The control of environmental records rests with Agentdraw Ltd personnel who have the responsibility for authority and verification.
AUDIT
Agentdraw Ltd environmental efficiency will be reported on as part of the 6 monthly health and safety reports.
RESOURCES
This policy is to be read in conjunction with any relevant risk assessments.
REVIEW PROCEDURE
This policy is to be reviewed annually
