DEVELOPING YOUR SECOND SYSTEM: THE CHALLENGE OF INTEGRATION

Abstract

Developing and implementing your first management system (i.e. formalised), be it focussed on safety, quality or environmental issues is a major task. In contrast much of the ground work may already be established when introducing a second system. However this in itself can create some unique challenges.

This paper examines how those challenges were addressed during development of West Australian Petroleum's Environmental Management System (EMS), and highlights some of the issues associated with integrating management processes.

Development followed a staged approach, initially focussing on assessment of existing processes and their potential for use in environmental management. Surveys of internal and external customers were conducted, along with external benchmarking to identify potential issues and alternatives.

The strategy that emerged was to align with existing safety processes, such as planning, communication, hazard management and audit wherever possible. The underlying issue was whether to apply the processes in parallel or concurrently. Existing documentation was also reviewed to determine howr to effectively document the EMS while avoiding unnecessary duplication.

A decision was taken to pilot the EMS at one site prior to company-wide deployment. Senior management support for the decision was linked to the detailed assessment of risks, resource requirements, and likely impacts on other business initiatives.

Development is now underway with a number of conclusions or key learnings already apparent. These include an acceptance that if integration is to be successful any underlying differences between the management of environmental and safety issues need to be understood, and safeguards need to be put in place to ensure both receive adequate attention.