Quantifying Objectives and Targets in the EIP

The objectives chosen by the company and the targets set to achieve these need to be managed and thus, the improvement measured. Thus some quantification is necessary. Vague phrases beneath the target column within the EIP must be avoided. If, for example, Trichloroethylene (Trike) solvent emissions to air are to be reduced, the EIP must state by how much and when- such as: solvent emissions to air resulting from the use of Trike will be reduced by 20% over 1997 levels at the end of 1999. Beneath this may be smaller separate projects that will all combine to achieve this figure, for example, 1. Installation of a new, more efficient vapour degreaser; 2. Persuading customers put less oil on components, thus reducing the need for cleaning; 3. Improving handling and storage methods.

Such quantification is easier to undertake for technical areas and inserted into the progress section of the EIP, such as in the reduction of air emissions - emissions can be monitored; consumption of energy can be monitored and reductions easily identified; chemical oxygen demand (COD) of effluent can also be monitored.

Other actions can also be measured and thus, improvement demonstrated for example: issues such as the bunding of the effluent treatment plant and chemical storage areas can be recorded as completed or not completed beneath the progress column of the EIP.