Guide for Conducting an Initial Environmental Review (IER)
An initial environmental review is not a requirement of the ISO 14001 standard,
however it is recommended as a useful tool for determining the environmental
aspects and impacts associated with the Agency’s operations, and also
establishing the current environmental position of the department, with
particular interest in highlighting deficiencies.
Some techniques for conducting an Initial Environmental Review are:
1. List all sites and identify the operations carried out at each site. A site
inspection of each property (direct inspection and measurement) can assist
in the identification of the Agency’s operations. Operational areas to
consider include office activities, staff amenities (kitchens and bathrooms),
catering facilities, transport, electrical communications centres,
warehouse/storage, laboratories, special-purpose facilities, waste
storage/disposal. The checklist included below can be used as a prompt tool
during site inspections.
2. Liaise with the Property Officer of each site or with another person having
detailed knowledge of the operations of a site. Interview employees who are
involved with the organisations operations that have, or have the potential to
have, environmental impacts. It is also important to involve key managers in
the review, either through interviews or questionnaires.
3. Identify the environmental impacts of the various activities and functions that
are carried out at each site. Identification of aspects and impacts and risk
rating is also required during the planning stage of implementing an EMS.
For a comprehensive site survey consider each of the following impacts for
every operation identified:
 emissions to air, water and land
 resource procurement, use and disposal
 local community concerns and local flora and fauna habitats
 note actual and potential situations
 Consider the full range of operating conditions, including possible
incidents, start-up and shut-down operations, potential emergency
situations such as fire, explosion and spillage of hazardous materials.
Bench marking of the organisations environmental performance may also be
included in an initial environmental review. This technique allows for comparing
environmental performance against industry performance and best practice.
This may first require monitoring of environmental performance over a
significant period of time and so may also be considered once the EMS is fully
established.
The review should also consider estimated timescales and resources required
to develop, implement and manage an Environmental Management System.
The initial environmental review may be carried out by audit teams,
environmental managers, team members, consultants or other suitable
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persons, however coordination of an EMS will require ongoing commitment of
resources within the organisation .
For assistance completing an initial environmental review, an organisation may
wish to contact the following during the environmental review:
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Government agencies and regulatory authorities regarding existing and
future environmental laws and permits
Other organisations for the exchange of information (e.g. benchmarking)
Industry associations
Larger customers and suppliers
Manufacturers of equipment in use
Business associates (e.g. water authority, waste disposal contractors,
suppliers; cleaning service providers); and
Environmental consultants
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Site Inspection Checklist
SAMPLE ONLY
< expand on this sample checklist to cover all operational areas and sites, for example
waste disposal sites, storage facilities, laboratories, workshops, canteens. Additional
aspects may also be included where identified>
Conducted by………………………..……………………………Date of Inspection……..…
Site Location Address & Function: …………………………………………………………...
.........................................................................................................................................
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
This checklist is to be used as a prompt to identify environmental aspects and impacts at a site.
For each aspect keep in mind the following list of impacts:
 Emissions: to air; water; land.
 Resources: use of raw materials and natural resources; generation of waste.
 Local habitat disturbances: human (community); flora; fauna.
OFFICE EQUIPMENT
Photocopiers, computers, faxes, printers.
Note the condition, energy rating, and brand.
Are parts recyclable?
Is double-sided copying available and
automatically programmed?
Is there any awareness material about energy
use near the equipment?
Is equipment switched off after hours or when not
in use?
Check for energy-saving functions
Is the equipment able to use recycled paper?
Where is equipment located?
Is there a dedicated room, is there ventilation?
Does equipment have an energy saving/standby
function?
What is the ratio of personnel to equipment?
OFFICE PAPER PRODUCTS & CONSUMABLES
Is there any awareness material about using
recycled paper and other products?
What stationery products are used?
Is recycled paper used, and for what purposes?
Note the % post-consumer product, forest or
plantation source, bleached etc.
Is paper collected for recycling?
How is paper disposal managed? i.e. how often,
by whom, costs.
OFFICE LIGHTING
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Describe the lighting system
Note: Number of lights controlled per switch, type
of lights; fluorescent tubes,
incandescent globes, energy saving globes
Is lighting zoned and to what extent, are
light fittings clean?
How are old fluorescent tubes disposed?
Do screens or furnishings block natural light? Are
blinds available to control glare and radiant heat?
INDOOR AIR QUALITY
Ventilation: Do print rooms, garages and
basement car parking have exhaust systems?
What system is in place to control temperature?
Is the cooling tower and system maintained in
accordance with AS3666 Air Handling and Water
Systems of Buildings - Microbial Control? Obtain
available reports.
Has Legionella monitoring been undertaken?
(may be covered by existing OH&S monitoring)
ENERGY
Is there an Energy Management Policy?
Has the Energy Management Policy been
implemented?
Is there an Energy Management Plan?
Has the Energy Management Plan been
implemented?
The Plan may include initiatives such as:
Information displays about energy efficiency/ use.
(eg near light switches)
Have energy audits been conducted? Obtain
report
Analysis of energy bills?
Installation of energy saving devices?
Adjusting timer switches for seasonal and daylight
saving changes?
Allowing Staff access to stairs as an alternative to
lifts?
FIRE SAFETY
Is there a Fire Safety Policy?
Has the Fire Safety Policy been implemented?
Is there a Fire Safety Plan?
Has the Fire Safety Plan been implemented?
The Plan may include initiatives such as: fire and
emergency procedures, emergency telephone
contact list, does emergency telephone contact
list include relevant environmental authorities.
PURCHASING & PACKAGING
Is there a Packaging and Purchasing Policy?
Has the Packaging and Purchasing Policy been
implemented?
Are environmental issues factored into the
Policies?
Is packaging being reused, recycled or sent back
to the supplier?
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KITCHENS & BATHROOMS
Number and Locations:
Is there a Water Conservation Policy?
Has the Water Conservation Policy been
implemented?
Is there a Water Conservation Plan?
Has the Water Conservation Plan been
implemented?
The Plan may include initiatives such as:
Information displays about conserving water use.
Installation of water saving devices (eg screened
faucets, dual-flush toilets).
Notification and repair of leaking taps.
Monitoring water consumption.
Identification of high demand water use areas.
Reduction strategies.
Investigation of sewer and stormwater discharge,
determine where run-off enters stormwater
drains.
Detailing vehicle washing (source of water, type
of cleaning agents, draining of waste water)
What types of hand drying facilities are available?
e.g. cloth, electric or paper towel
Paper products (% post-consumer product, forest
or plantation source, bleached)
Cleaning products (are soaps and detergent
phosphate free or biodegradable?)
List kitchen appliances (note energy rating and
whether refrigerators are CFC free)
Have waste disposal costs ever been assessed?
Can this be done?
Who collects waste and what charges apply?
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
Are hazardous materials present?
Have hazardous material audits been undertaken:
(if yes, obtain report or include details)
Asbestos?
PCBs? (eg in light fittings)
Ozone depleting substances? (check fridges)
Chemicals (cleaning/industrial)?
Lead (in paint coats, dust, soil, roof lining)?
Are current Material Safety Data Sheets
available? Where? Who maintains them? Are
they updated?
Are underground storage tanks present? If so,
have the tanks been investigated? (Note: Check
boiler system fuel - Has the boiler fuel been
converted from oil to gas previously? Where were
oil tanks located?)
LANDSCAPED & EXTERNAL AREAS
Is there a composting scheme?
Does landscaping make appropriate use of
drought tolerant plants?
Describe irrigation system including the water
source.
Describe herbicide and pesticide use.
Are there any community problems? i.e.
interactions with humans e.g. noise, traffic, flora
and fauna
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TRANSPORT
Does car pooling take place?
Do many people use public transport?
What are public transport facilities like?
Inspect car parks: How many and where are
they? Note condition of stormwater drains in
the car park
VEHICLES (owned or leased)
Cars, vans, trucks – number, size and make,
Green Vehicle Guide rating.
Delivery/Loading dock inspection. What supplies
are delivered (chemicals, office supplies,
machinery)?
Is there potential of spillage?
Vehicle Maintenance: How are vehicles
maintained? Who is responsible? Where are
records kept?
Is fuel type and consumption monitored?
STAFF BUSINESS TRAVEL
How often, and by what means?
Does anyone assess/monitor these details i.e. for
cost, environmental impact and efficiency?
Are alternatives considered / used?
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