Quality Assurance
and Environmental Policy
R&D Manufacturing take pride in the quality of their products and services and invest considerable time and energy to ensure the production process and final product meet exacting customer standards.
Our quality assurance scheme is subject to external review by the NQA to meet the requirements of BS EN ISO 9001: 2000, and in addition to the foregoing is also independently audited by external consultants.
To further enhance our reputation for quality and expertise the company will shortly be submitting our application to have our products registered by the British Board of Agreement and the British Standards Institute.
Our environmental policies are not simply window dressing as we firmly believe our controls and good practise saves the business money contributing to our overall success.
Waste in any shape or form costs money and when handling natural products control is essential to minimise the effect of the manufacturing process. To enable us to reduce our waste factor to below 3% the company has invested in modern cad assisted machinery, designed maximise material usage.
This saving in raw material has also a significant effect on the following:
- Energy usage
- Waste off site
- Transport
- Fuel usage
All waste generated by the company is also transferred to a recycling centre for use in other products rather than transfer to landfill sites. As well as reducing taxes the policy assists the environment through reducing demand on natural resources.
Environmental Policy
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Company Environment Policy
- 3. Employee Responsibilities And Reporting
- 4. Equipment Selection
- 5. Oil Storage And Handling
- 6. Waste Minimisation
- 7. Good Housekeeping
- 8. Training & Implementation
R&D Manufacturing is engaged in the production and sale of wood and U-pvc products primarily to the construction, housing, building maintenance and home improvement sectors.
The Company’s activities will in general have little impact on the environment, however the Company has identified areas where risk could occur. The adoption of the following procedures will significantly reduce any potential damage our operations could have on the environment.
The Company firmly believes that by applying sound policy it will encounter other benefits from the adoption of best practice throughout the business.
General
R&D Manufacturing is committed to reducing the impact its activities may have on the natural work environment through an effective Environmental Management Policy.
Management Responsibility
The Environmental Policy has been synergised with occupational safety and quality and is the responsibility of the Manufacturing Director and delegated personnel.
The company uses the standards established in ISO 14001 to govern its Environmental Management Practices.
Arrangements
Under the terms of the Health & Safety to Work Act 1974, the Control of Pollution Act 1974 and the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (Part 1), the Company pursues a policy of waste reduction, waste control, control of emissions into the atmosphere and the control of noise from construction activities.
Arrangements to meet environmental commitments include training of staff, the provision of suitable and sufficient information to employees and clients where appropriate.
All hire and work equipment is maintained and inspected in a manner to minimise its impact on the environment with a view to eliminating pollution and contamination.
Where equipment is used to reshape the natural environment, emissions are controlled within all standard legal requirements and any specific site constraints.
The Company undertakes to review this policy on a regular basis and to integrate it with existing safe working practices.
Audits
Environmental audits will be conducted on a quarterly basis to ensure compliance with procedures and rectify any non-conformance.
3. EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
Company Directors:
• Ensure adequate provision of resources is made available to meet legislative and policy requirements.
• Promote environmental awareness through leading by example thus ensuring a positive approach to environmental issues exists among the workforce.
Supervisors:
• Organising the workplace to ensure that all work can be carried out in compliance with legislative requirements.
• Ensuring that the workforce under their control comply with Company environmental policy and legislative requirements.
• Ensuring that the arrangements for environmental controls are provided and publicised to all employees under their control.
• Promoting environmental awareness through leading by example.
Employees:
• Report any environmental accidents/incidents to their supervisor so that action can be taken to eliminate the risk.
• Use the equipment provided to protect the environment.
• Report all environmental hazards to their supervisor.
• Comply with the arrangements that are in place to protect the environment.
Reporting
Environmental accident/incident reporting:
• All employees are to report any environmental accidents/incidents to their supervisor who, in turn, is to report the incident to the Health and Safety Advisor.
• All environmental incidents are to be fully investigated by the Health and Safety Advisor who will record his findings and formally report the incident to the Director responsible and Enforcing Authorities if applicable.
• Details of all environmental incidents are to be recorded in the environmental incident book held in the workshop office.
The Company intends to promote its Environmental Policies, by adopting a purchasing programme designed to favour suppliers who have or intend to introduce an Environmental Policy in accordance with ISO 14001 Management Practices.
A review of all nominated or approved suppliers will be completed on an annual basis, or at other intervals as deemed appropriate by the Company, providing the interval does not exceed any period of 12 months.
Noise at work can be a serious Environmental concern in addition to any issues affecting Health and Safety.
It is the Company's intention to select for purchase only equipment complying with the following noise emission levels, when purchased new from manufacturers.
Machinery /Engine Noise @ 5m from Machine – Max 80 decibels
Under some circumstances attachments to standard machines can result in additional noise to the general environment, such as hydraulic hammers, etc.
Where such conditions exist, the company will take appropriate control measures to minimise the effect of their activities on neighbouring properties. It should be noted that site management hiring the equipment, remain ultimately responsible for local control of background noise.
Care should be taken however particularly during early morning or late evening work, particularly in rural surroundings.
No equipment shall be purchased which fails to meet with current emission standards.
All equipment must also be maintained to manufacturers recommendations, in order that optimum engine performance is achieved at all times.
Machinery, which fails to achieve acceptable standards, will be withdrawn from service until suitable repairs can be effected.
The need to conserve the natural resources of the planet will ensure the company will make fuel economy a strategic role in its equipment and vehicle selection policies.
Greater weight will be given to equipment employing 'smart pump' technology where fuel usage is minimised when idling.
Where possible all vehicles will in future be specified to use both carbon fuel and calor gas, depending upon local availability.
As part of the company vehicle policy all drivers and operators of company vehicles or plant, will be advised regarding speed limits and the need for economy during operations.
5.1 Oil Storage
All oil and diesel fuel shall be stored in appropriate double skinned tanks and provided with bunding capable of sustaining spillage to 150% of stated capacity.
All bulk tanks are to be fitted with refuelling pumps, to reduce potential hazard from spillage.
Where drums are used these should be stored in a manner to minimise handling and spillage. Damp tanks must be used at all times when employing oil drums.
5.2 Waste Oils
Waste oils must be stored in designated storage tanks, whilst awaiting collection and transfer by designated waste oil contractor.
Where waste oil is generated on site, care must be taken to avoid contamination by use of adequate capacity containers and spill trays.
5.3 Filters
Used oil filters must be stored using protective containers provided for this specific purpose.
5.4 Transfer Notes
Copies of the duty of care transfer notes will be held in the issuing depot for audit purposes.
5.5 Oil Spills
Oil spills can and do happen. In order to mitigate any potential problem, all fitters vans are to be equipped with spillage kits and any such spill must be cleaned up immediately.
Any rags or other items used in conjunction with fuel spillage control must be contained and returned for disposal similar to waste oils and filters.
It is the Company's stated intention to reduce the effects its operation may have on the environment wherever possible.
To help achieve this aim the Company has agreed to become a partner with Dumfries & Galloway Council, through its Waste Minimisation programme.
Items that we have identified as possible areas for waste minimisation include: -
1. Energy
2. Paper
3. Water
4. Wood
5. General Waste
It is our intention to expand and develop our policy working with Dumfries and Galloway Council. The relevant proposals will be added to the policy once complete.
Providing a high standard of housekeeping is essential for any environmental policy to be effective.
We can all play our part in this through simple attention good practice in all our daily actions.
These can include, but are not limited, to: -
1. Keeping machinery clean and free from spillage at all times.
2. Refraining from dropping litter either on site or at the factory or other place of work.
3. Taking care when handling oil or other products, which can cause contamination.
4. Reducing energy costs by switching off lights and heaters when not required.
5. Switching off engines when equipment is standing for lengthy periods.
6. Place all waste wood for re-cycling in skip provided for purpose as work progresses.
7. Report any defects in machinery as soon as possible.
8. Refraining from any unnecessary journeys when other forms of communication would suffice.
All employees will be issued with a copy of the Company Environmental Policy and receive instruction or training as applicable with regard to operating the system.
A full operating manual will be retained at each depot and workshop for reference purposes and to record any defects or non-conformities.
All non-conformities shall be recorded as appropriate, a report filed by the Appointed person and corrective action taken following a review of procedures and any necessary risk assessment.
01387 722000
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facsimile:
01387 722001
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