Green Business Centre Inspections
Green Dragon Environmental Standard 2006
Assessment Report
Scope of audit
Contact Name
Address
Tel
Fax
E-mail
G.D. ref number
Neath Port Talbot College
All the College functions within Wales
Colin Heffey
Neath Port Talbot College, Dwr-y-Felin Road, Neath.
SA10 7RF
01639 648000
Site description and Neath Port Talbot College is the only Further Education
activities provider in the Neath Port Talbot County Borough
Council area. The College offers a range of courses
including: Adult Learning; Building Engineering Services;
Business Tourism and Management; Catering, Bakery &
Hospitality; Computing & IT; Construction and Built
Environment; Creative, Visual & Performing Arts;
Engineering; Health, Social & Childcare; Horticulture;
Hairdressing & Beauty Therapy; Mathematics & Science;
Sport & Public Services; Pre-Vocational Studies; and
Social Studies & Languages. The courses are provided
over eight campuses: Neath Campus; Afan Campus;
Coleg Pontardawe; Queen Street Centre; Twyn yr Hydd
House; Construction Training Centre, Maesteg; Building
Crafts Training Centre (Llansamlet); and the Llandarcy
Campus.
Standard assessed
Visit Date
Assessment Type
Level assessed
Assessment duration
Green Dragon
26th March 2012
Initial Assessment
Level 2
1.5 days (includes pre- & post-assessment times as well
as time on site)
Lead Assessor
(J Griffiths)
Other assessor
Recommendation Level 2
Next certification visit 12 months
Assessor’s declaration I am satisfied that sufficient clauses of the Green Dragon
Environmental Standard:2006 were examined during the
assessment in order to reach the above
recommendation.
Further comments See overleaf
Date 3 April 2012
Further Comments
It is implicit that in taking part in this Green Dragon inspection, and in acceptance of this report, your organisation (the client)
acknowledges that it is required to be compliant with relevant environmental legislation and to manage pollution risks as applicable to
your organisation. Whilst the Inspectors have reviewed compliance with legislation and have carried out an assessment of how your
organisation manages risks associated with pollution, this has only been carried out by sample and you must therefore understand that
there is therefore no guarantee that your organisation is compliant with all relevant legislation or that all pollution risks are adequately
managed. You must also understand that legal compliance and the management of pollution risks remain at all times the responsibility of
your organisation. Acceptance of this report by the client signifies that all such issues have been disclosed as part of the inspection
process and agreement that any such non-compliance or incidents occurring after this visit will be notified to the Green Business Centre
auditor.
Green Dragon criteria assessed during the audit
Level 1:
Commitment to
Environmental
Management
Level 2:
Understanding
Environmental
Responsibilities
Level 3:
Managing
Environmental
Impacts
Level 4:
Environmental
Management
Programme
Level 5:
Continual
environmental
improvement
A. Responsibility and Resources
B. Environmental Review
C. Environmental Policy
D. Environmental Monitoring
E. Improvement Plan
A. Register of Legal and other
requirements
B. Managing legal compliance
C. Emergency Preparedness
D. Communication &
Competence
E. Environmental Records
A. Environmental Aspects
Register
B. Evaluation of Environmental
Aspects
C. Control of Environmental
Aspects
D. Pollution Prevention Plan
A. Training
B. Environmental Manual
C. Control of Documents
E. Objectives and Targets
F. Monitoring Environmental
Performance
G. Carbon Dioxide Data
Collection
H. Environmental Statement
A.
B.
C.
D.
E. Reducing Greenhouse Gas
Emissions
F. Environmental Report
Internal Audit Programme
Management Review
Addressing Sustainability
Supply Chain
D. System Procedures
E. System Monitoring
F. Carbon Dioxide Data
Collection
Summary of Findings
Issues outstanding from
previous visit(s) where
applicable
Issues closed during
this visit
Conclusions of visit,
references to nonconformances, reasons
for assessment
recommendation.
Green Dragon
Clause reference
The auditor recommends Neath Port Talbot College for Green Dragon
Level 2. This is the first time the College has been audited. However, the
College was able to demonstrate an ongoing commitment to continual
environmental improvement. Monitoring of key environmental indicators is
being undertaken and progress has been made in diverting waste from
landfill (recycling waste bins are being located across the College),
energy consumption is being benchmarked against best practice, and
staff from the Vice Principal to technicians had a good understanding of
environmental issues relating to their activities.
The organisation is well placed to move up to Green Dragon Level 3/4
should they wish to do so with a draft Aspects Register having been
completed.
Further opportunities for improvement have been identified later in the
report.
If any minor non-conformances were recorded, these must be closed
within the time specified by the auditor within the report or by the next
audit. Please note if these are not addressed before your next reassessment, it will result in the failure of your assessment.
Observations may also have been noted which may have been areas
where good environmental practices have been implemented within the
organisation or opportunities for improvement.
Level 1 A
Level 2 D iii
Level 1 B ii
Level 1 C
Level 1 D i
Observation – The College Facilities & Estates manager (Colin Heffey) is responsible for
implementing and maintaining the Environmental Management System. The Vice Principal,
Keith Booker, is responsible for signing key documents.
Observation - It was noted that a Sustainability Management Group is in place and has been
running for a number of years and is chaired by the Vice Principal (VP).
Observation – An Environmental Review of the College’s operations has been completed.
Observation – An Environmental Policy has been completed which meets the requirements
of the Green Dragon Standard and is signed and dated by the VP.
Observation – Electricity, gas and water metering is undertaken from half hourly meters.
Waste streams have started to be monitored. Staff transport mileage has started to be
monitored through expenses claims. The College should start to calculate the percentage of
waste recycled and monitor direct public transport, College vehicle and rented vehicle
usage.
Level 1 E
Observation – Objectives and Targets have been produced for the College.
Observation – A Register of Environmental Legislation has been completed by the
organisation. The organisation should register with Netregs to receive free legislative
updates which can be incorporated into the Register.
Level 2 A & B
Observation – An emergency preparedness plan has been compiled highlighting possible
emergency situations. The plan should provide links to the different control measures
operated by the different departments where relevant. The Neath College Drainage Plan
was made available during the audit. The College should ensure that drainage plans are
available for the different sites. Spill kits have started to be located around the College in
locations where there is a pollution risk. All pollution risks must be assessed and
appropriate spillage kits purchased.
Level 2 C
Observation – A Green Dragon file has started to be compiled of key Environmental
Management System documents.
Level 2 E
Minor non-conformance – Staff induction process does not currently include reference to
environmental issues. The staff intranet site was being updated with environmental issues
for staff. However, it was not available for viewing during the audit. The student handbook
included reference to environmental issues.
Level 2 D
Minor non-conformance – A waste oil storage IBC was located next to a storm water drain
with outfall pipe located directly over the drain. There was no secondary containment. It
could present a pollution risk. Waste fluorescent strip lights were stored in a works office
used by staff. If broken, the lights contain hazardous mercury powder. Waste segregation at
the waste compound behind the construction building could be improved. Some energy
efficient lighting was stored with metal waste. Paint tins were stored on a wooden pallet in
the open. Signage for the skips had been removed. On the ground near to the waste
compound, there were some waste items.
Observation - COSHH files were checked during the audit. Some were updated and well
maintained. Others were not. There should be a standard procedure across the College for
maintenance of the COSHH files.
Level 2 C ii
Level 2 B i
Observation - Asbestos identification was not formally listed in the items on the pre-contract
questionnaire. On those that were seen during the audit, it was included but not as
information specifically required.
Level 2 C i
Observation - Waste transfer/consignment note retention was sampled. Most were being
retained. However, it was unclear whether all were being maintained and whether Waste
Carrier Registration details were being verified for all waste streams. Some hazardous
waste/Part E declarations were being retained. A waste compliance and monitoring table
had started to be compiled. All waste streams should be listed according to EWCs and
include validity of waste carrier registrations for waste carriers. Maintenance was being
undertaken on HVAC and refrigeration units. However, there was no inventory of units/size
and types of coolant gas making it hard to assess whether legal compliance was being
maintained. Hazardous waste producer registrations were in place for five campuses.