11 Towards an Integrated Approach in Environmental Planning: The Europipe Experience
123
sible). None of the Europipe project contractors was familiar with this environmental
planning concept and they were initially all rather sceptical with respect to the practicality of this approach. For this reason Statoil developed a set of guidelines which extracted the essentials from BS 7750 in a form which fairly specifically defmed Statoils
requirements to the contractors. On the basis of this document, the contractors were
requested to develop their environmental plan consisting of the following three levels
of documentation:
1. Environmental Management Manual
In this document the contractor states his commitment to a high level of environmental performance and describes how he intends to carry out the environmental management. The manual addresses such items as environmental policy and objectives, organization of environmental activities, personnel qualifications, permits and regulations, environmental audits, reviews etc.
2. Environmental Protection Programme for the Construction Phase
This document provides a considerable amount of details based on the principles and
statements given in the environmental management manual. The programme includes
identification and description of environmentally critical operations, description of
adverse effects of environmentally critical operations, description of protective measures, programme implementation, control and verification, and emergency planning.
3. Operational Control Sheets
These one-page sheets provide simple concrete work instructions for the execution,
inspection and control of each of the specific environmental protection measures. They
are for the use of the first line supervisors, the inspectors and the various craftsmen
actually doing the job. The sheets cover definition and description of the activity, plan
for work instruction, instruction for job execution, responsibility/authority, control and
verification, and handling of deviations.
The above environmental management approach was very demanding, not only in
terms of the resources required to develop the environmental plan and action programmes, but also in terms of training of contractor personnel and gaizing contractor
acceptance and commitment. Regular site inspections were carried out by environmental inspectors to ensure that the agreed environmental plans were in fact adhered
to. These inspections were mostly done jointly by Statoil and the contractors personnel.
To assist in thdmplementation of the environmental protection measures, a joint committee of Statoil/contractor staff and environmental specialists, the so-called environmental network, was established. This committee met regularly throughout the construction period to make status reports and to facilitate the exchange of experience
between contractors.
In conclusion, it can be stated that the considerable environmental management
efforts have been well spent. Only a few very minor environmental incidents occurred
and a considerable amount of useful experience has been gained for use in future construction projects.
123
sible). None of the Europipe project contractors was familiar with this environmental
planning concept and they were initially all rather sceptical with respect to the practicality of this approach. For this reason Statoil developed a set of guidelines which extracted the essentials from BS 7750 in a form which fairly specifically defmed Statoils
requirements to the contractors. On the basis of this document, the contractors were
requested to develop their environmental plan consisting of the following three levels
of documentation:
1. Environmental Management Manual
In this document the contractor states his commitment to a high level of environmental performance and describes how he intends to carry out the environmental management. The manual addresses such items as environmental policy and objectives, organization of environmental activities, personnel qualifications, permits and regulations, environmental audits, reviews etc.
2. Environmental Protection Programme for the Construction Phase
This document provides a considerable amount of details based on the principles and
statements given in the environmental management manual. The programme includes
identification and description of environmentally critical operations, description of
adverse effects of environmentally critical operations, description of protective measures, programme implementation, control and verification, and emergency planning.
3. Operational Control Sheets
These one-page sheets provide simple concrete work instructions for the execution,
inspection and control of each of the specific environmental protection measures. They
are for the use of the first line supervisors, the inspectors and the various craftsmen
actually doing the job. The sheets cover definition and description of the activity, plan
for work instruction, instruction for job execution, responsibility/authority, control and
verification, and handling of deviations.
The above environmental management approach was very demanding, not only in
terms of the resources required to develop the environmental plan and action programmes, but also in terms of training of contractor personnel and gaizing contractor
acceptance and commitment. Regular site inspections were carried out by environmental inspectors to ensure that the agreed environmental plans were in fact adhered
to. These inspections were mostly done jointly by Statoil and the contractors personnel.
To assist in thdmplementation of the environmental protection measures, a joint committee of Statoil/contractor staff and environmental specialists, the so-called environmental network, was established. This committee met regularly throughout the construction period to make status reports and to facilitate the exchange of experience
between contractors.
In conclusion, it can be stated that the considerable environmental management
efforts have been well spent. Only a few very minor environmental incidents occurred
and a considerable amount of useful experience has been gained for use in future construction projects.