Leading the Way with ISO 14001

by Dan del Villano

When it comes to technology, most people think of machines. Pacific Region's Daryl Lawes and Rae-Ann Shaw also think about how people use the technology.

They are the Environmental Coordinators for the Esquimalt Graving Dock in British Columbia and they're working on ISO 14001 certification for Canada's largest dry dock. Says Lawes, "It is an exciting project because we are the only large ship repair facility in the world who are working on ISO 14001." The certification should be in place by April 2001.

ISO 14001 is an internationally recognized standard for environmental management. Companies and government organizations put the system in place to minimize the environmental impact of their operations. Certification is a big job; in a multi-million-dollar operation like the Graving Dock, every process has to be examined for its environmental impact, then targets have to be set for reductions in the most important ones.

Lawes and Shaw eventually determined that 17 areas were the most significant and are now working on programs to address each one. Shaw explains, "It is a huge undertaking because we have to look at contractor operations at the Dock, not just PWGSC operations. For example, air quality is a big issue because there is a lot of sandblasting at the Dock, but we don't do the blasting. The companies that work at the Dock do it." She emphasizes that ISO 14001 is more than just a manual, it is a whole system.

Jim Milne manages the Graving Dock and gives the project full support. "You have to recognize how ambitious it is to implement ISO 14001 in such a complex, heavily industrialized facility," he says. "The reason we seem to be the only one trying it is probably because it is such a huge job." Others are watching with interest, though. Calls have come from numerous local shipyards and from Halifax, Seattle and Virginia. Milne is also thankful for the support of key clients, including DND, the Canadian Coast Guard and BC Ferries.

Lawes agrees that certification is an enormous job, but he thinks it makes good business sense. Environmental protection, of course, is the main benefit. The Dock is surrounded by residential areas and strives to be a good neighbour. Also ISO 14001 will increase compliance assurance; that is, PWGSC will be better able to make sure that the Dock operations are in line with legal requirements.

The environmental system also improves the Dock's competitiveness. Many shipping lines, especially cruise ship lines, want to use the most environmentally-friendly services. And, thanks to PWGSC, the Esquimalt Graving Dock will be one of the best options.

Source: Ensemble, July 2000, Volume 8