NEBOSH Environmental Management Certificate

Throughout the Environmental Management elements of the course you will learn about the definition of the environment and why we should be concerned over environmental issues. You will be able to give a definition of the environment and learn how to justify environmental management in the workplace with supporting legal, financial and ethical arguments.

There is also some discussion of the importance of sustainability to modern business and how sustainable development as part of corporate social responsibility has many benefits to business in terms of environmental, social and economic context. Another key part of this element is to recognise the workplace activities that may be subject to legislative compliance and the consequences of non-compliance.

You will learn the fundamental elements of environmental management systems following models such as international standard ISO14001 with emphasis on continual improvement. What the business benefits of an environmental management system are and also learn the complexities, conflicts and limitations of environmental management systems.

The element covering environmental impact assessment will cover how to identify the environmental aspects of your business operations, determining what the impact will be on the environment. You will also learn how to determine which are significant and need focus to reduce environmental impacts and how to evaluate current controls in place along with risks and opportunities for your business. There will also be information available on how to identify and access key sources of environmental information relevant to your business.

The planning for environmental emergencies element discusses the importance of emergency planning and the immediate and long term risk of not having an adequate plan in place. Reviewing the emergency preparedness and response requirements of environmental management systems and responsibilities to not only the business but local community and the wider environment.

The control of emissions to air element will cover air quality standards and the impact of poor air quality on health, the main types of air emissions and their sources including greenhouse gases. We will cover the hierarchy of control and provide examples of suitable control measure technologies available to reduce emissions.

In the element covering control of environmental noise, you will gain an understanding of the characteristics of noise that can lead to nuisance, the effects of noise and the legal considerations. We will discuss common sources of environmental noise and how to reduce these through management controls and noise control techniques.

The element of control of contamination to water discusses how to identify the main sources of water pollution and the importance of water quality both to the environment and to health. You will gain an understanding of legislative requirements in terms of monitoring arrangements and of suitable control measures through the hierarchy of control to reduce water contamination including controls for adequate storage and spillage.

The element covering control of waste and land use will discuss the different types of waste and how to categorise waste as hazardous, non-hazardous or inert. You will gain an understanding of applicable legal requirements and methodologies on how to minimise waste and disposal routes. You will learn about resource efficiency, circular economy, life cycle analysis and best available waste management techniques. The risks of contaminated land on the environment and liabilities of an organisation on contaminated land will also discussed.

The final element covering sources of energy, energy use and energy efficiency will give detail on the use of fossil fuels and the types of renewable energy along with the benefits and limitations. The effects and causes of climate change and the benefits of energy efficiency techniques. Monitoring and measurement arrangements and suitable control measures will also be included.