Unit 4 - Specific Training

Although everyone in the company should have general environmental awareness training, it is not necessary to train everybody in every aspect of environmental management if you are implementing an EMS.

However, certain personnel will need specific environmental training. For example, personnel with responsibilities for implementing the EMS, personnel who will be responsible for internally auditing the EMS, and personnel carrying out activities that can have significant impact on the environment, will all need specific training.

It is relatively straightforward to determine which managers may need training on environmental issues or ISO 14001/EMAS, and which personnel should be sent on an EMS internal or external auditing course. For other environmental training, you will need to refer to your Register of Environmental Effects to determine the personnel who undertake activities having a significant impact on the environment.

ISO 14001, Clause 4.4.2 Training, awareness and competence

...Personnel performing tasks which can cause significant environmental impacts shall be competent on the basis of appropriate education, training and/or experience.

Once the EMS has been implemented, personnel will need to be trained in the EMS procedures.

Work that has a significant environmental impact: paint manufacture