|
Defence
uses a number of hazardous substances (potential pollutants)
to meet its operational objectives. The release of pollutants
can occur through a range of activities such as military training exercises, construction/demolition of infrastructure and during
normal base operations such as power generation, workshop activities,
and fire drills. All of these activities have the potential
to impact on human health and the environment.
Defence
is developing a strategy to identify sources of pollutants
and to minimise their lifecycle environmental and human health
impacts. This has
a number of benefits to Defence including ensuring pollution
prevention considerations are integrated into all future infrastructure
and military equipment acquisition. The other main focus of
the strategy is on minimisation of emissions and discharges
of pollutants during the use, maintenance and disposal of
existing and future assets. This must occur in a manner which
meets Australian Defence Force (ADF) and legal requirements.
Contacts
The Director
Energy Efficiency and Resource Management (DEERM) is responsible
for the development of pollution prevention policy for Defence.
The delivery
of the annual environmental management program is delivered
through the Regions supported by Regional Environmental staff.
Why
do we do this?
To ensure:
-
Appropriate environmental management of potentially polluting
substances supports capability;
-
Defence Management is fully aware about the potential risks
associated with Defence activities that may impact upon
the environment;
-
Adverse polluting activities are considered, managed and
mitigated to the greatest extent practicable;
-
Compliance with regulatory requirements;
-
Employees' health and environmental degradation are protected;
-
Escaping pollutants from Defence activities will add extra
burden to clean-up costs associated with soil and groundwater
contamination. Hence, a preventative strategy on a case
by case basis for all critical situations can save millions
of Defence dollars in the long run by avoiding clean-up
costs; and
-
Defence's reputation as a sound environmental steward is
enhanced.
How
do we do it?
This is done by:
-
documenting the activities/processes within the Bases and
Training areas with significant pollution potential and
defining the nature and extent of potential pollutants involved;
-
classifying, segregating, collecting and disposing of hazardous
wastes in an approved manner and following the general waste
management hierarchical theme, viz, avoidance, reuse, recycle,
recovery and ultimate disposal;
-
identifying the pollutants of concern and their possible
emission pathways to impact on human health and the environment;
-
identifying risks or impacts (toxicity, bioaccumulation
etc) of each identified pollutant on human health and the
environment;
-
developing pollution prevention risk mitigation programs
and selecting cost-effective solutions through site EMS/environmental
management programs in the Regions;
-
monitoring, checking and reviewing management actions;
-
auditing of Defence sites/records periodically for a range
of pollution situations to identify/report/resolve non-compliant
activities and practices;
-
promoting pollution prevention awareness for Defence users;
-
reporting any polluting incidents and taking prompt cleanup
actions and reviewing of procedures;
-
incorporating research and development (R&D) results on
targeted pollutants in the development of new technologies,
processes and guidelines; and
-
developing environmental guidebooks/pollution prevention
manuals to support Defence users making appropriate decisions.
|
