ABSTRACT

If environmental health is about assessing, correcting and preventing the environmental stressors that affect human health then environmental management is something with which environmental health practitioners should be familiar when it comes to their interaction with organizations and enterprises. Environmental issues and the impacts of businesses on the environment are a fundamental part of environmental health. Environmental management has also become a core business issue for many organizations whether in the manufacturing or service sectors and is a key aspect of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).1 Minimizing the amount of waste that is produced, reducing energy consumption and making more efficient use of resources can all lead to financial cost savings. In addition this will help to protect and enhance the environment and improve the image of the company or organization. Environmental health practitioners should recognize that the quality of the environment locally and globally can influence and impact on the health and well being of individuals and communities. At the same time EHPs are involved directly in regulating emissions from certain businesses, activities and operations. The Environment Agency (EA) in England has

indicated that it expects to see business consistently complying with regulation but the EA encourages

businesses [1] ‘to adopt a formal EMS in our riskbased approach to regulation through the Operator and Pollution Risk Appraisal (OPRA) scheme’. Environmental management systems (EMS) are seen as helping to improve the management of environmental risks from a site or activity. This will reduce the OPRA profile which in turn will be reflected in charging and compliance assessment planning. When it comes to inspections and regulatory activity the EA’s approach on site will be informed by the observed standards of environmental protection and management. There is no reason why the same approach should not be taken by an EHP. Local Authorities themselves are also key players

in the local economy. They can be an important influence on the environmental habits of the general public and can make a major contribution to the implementation of the principles of sustainable development at local level. This is recognized in England and Wales in the provisions of the Local Government Act 2000 which gives every Local Authority the power to do anything which they consider is likely to achieve any one or more of the following in the whole or part of the area of the authority:

promotion or improvement of economic well-being;

promotion or improvement of social well-being; and

promotion or improvement of environmental well-being.