91Èȱ¬

What Can Go Wrong?

• Productions can have various environmental impacts or legal breaches if risks are not properly controlled.
• Waste must be stored appropriately to stop it escaping, and must only be passed to a legally registered Waste Carrier for removal.
• Any liquids e.g. oil, paint, chemicals must be stored securely to prevent pollution from spillage, with spill kits kept nearby;
• Waste water from special effects, laundry, catering etc, should be taken away in a tanker for suitable disposal and must not be discharged to drains, land or rivers.
• Your production must consider whether it will affect the natural environment, wildlife or a site of architectural/historical interest – a specialist survey may be necessary.

Legal/91Èȱ¬ Requirements

• Environmental Management is tightly controlled by legislation and you must be aware of the necessary compliance requirements related to your activities before you start.
• At the earliest stage possible, familiarise yourself with the production or event activities and consider all environmental issues - use this information to undertake an Environmental Risk Assessment and plan how you will avoid or mitigate the risks.
• If environmental consents are required (e.g. discharge consent to water, Water Abstraction Licence), consult with consent-granting bodies and other relevant stakeholders from an early stage. Advice may be obtained from the Safety Advice Line. Make sure consents have been obtained before activities begin.

Control Measures

General Controls

• It is a good idea for the manager in charge to nominate a person/s to be responsible for environmental issues on the production/recording/event.
• It will be helpful to complete an Environmental Risk Assessment or follow the Environmental Checklist.
• Control measures identified from the risk assessment are to be implemented prior to work commencing and are to be maintained throughout.

Pollution Prevention

• This includes the storage and handling of materials, including diesel for generator hire, or special effects.
• Store all liquid materials including oils, paints, and chemicals in suitable fit-for-purpose containers. Store minimal quantities and check storage areas regularly.
• Use secondary containment (bunds/drip-trays) to contain spillages – it is a legal requirement to place 205litre oil drums in a bunded area (including temporary locations).
• Ensure spill kits are provided near to where materials are stored and used, and are appropriate to the type of liquid (oil-absorbing or chemical-absorbing).
• Locate storage areas and mobile generators away from drains, stream and rivers.
• Ensure plant and equipment (e.g. generators) are in good working order and are well maintained.
• Never pour liquids down a drain or onto land unless you have specific written legal permission in the form of consent from the regulatory authority.

Waste Management On-site and Waste Disposal

• Reuse and recycle materials wherever possible – this is a legal requirement of the ‘Waste Hierarchy’.
• Identify the types of waste and store them separately in appropriate, weather-proof containers e.g. hazardous, electrical (WEEE Regulations), liquid, inert etc. Ensure containers are clearly labelled to describe the contents.
• Never burn waste on site or within containers
• Do not pour waste liquids (oils, wastewater etc) into drains or onto the ground. Waste liquids should be tankered away for suitable disposal.
• When hiring a Waste Contractor to remove waste, check they are a Registered Waste Carrier and ensure you complete a Waste Transfer Note (non-hazardous) or Waste Consignment Note (hazardous waste) with all necessary detail.
• Keep Transfer Notes on file for 2 years and Consignment Notes for 3 years.

Air Pollution and Nuisance

• Wherever possible, inform neighbours of any activities or special effects that may potentially cause a nuisance.
• If there is a complaint, log it and forward it immediately to the manager of the activity that caused it.
• Where noise may be an issue at night-time or weekends, inform the Local Authority Environmental Health Officer and obtain consent if necessary.
• Hire vehicles, plant and equipment in line with the 91Èȱ¬ Procurement processes.
• Establish with the contractor who is responsible for the provision of spill kits, maintenance/incident management and waste removal.
• Turn off vehicles, plant, equipment and heating/AC when not in use.
• If vehicles, plant or equipment emit dark smoke or excessive fumes, stop using and contact the suppliers immediately.

Biodiversity, Heritage and Built Environment

• Ensure everyone on site is aware of sensitive environmental or heritage features, and if required erect a fence/barrier to contain activities and prevent accidental damage.
• Engage a specialist to survey, monitor and carry out any work to cut or remove trees and hedges. Only do this if permission is given by the land owner.
• Follow the .
• Consult specialist archaeological contractor and undertake condition monitoring if vibration from activities is likely to affect a heritage feature.
• Remember, heritage/archaeologically important features may be buried and not instantly visible.

Closing your Production/Event

• Ensure that the area is restored to its previous condition or better.
• The manager in charge or nominated person responsible for environment is to complete an Environmental Closure Checklist and complete any required actions.
• File all environmental management documents including Waste Transfer Notes and Consignment Notes.

Risk Assessment

• The models for building an Environmental Risk Assessment are in the Risk Assessment module of SafetyHub. 
• The link to SafetyHub is at the bottom of this page. The models available are numbered below.
• 1. Air pollution
• 2. Environmental nuisance
• 3. Impact on heritage buildings and features
• 4. Impact on natural environment and wildlife
• 5. Impacts from energy use
• 6. Impacts from water use
• 7. Storage and management of waste
• 8. Storage and use of oils and chemicals
• 9. Water pollution from leaks, spills and discharges

• . 

Division Specific Issues

• No division specific issues.

FAQs/Did You Know?

• This website contains guidance on a range of environmental management topics.  Go to the Environment section at the bottom of the page for more details or use the 'Search by tag' option to display a list of the relevent pages.
• If you need help gaining accessing SafetyHub, or help completing a risk assessment or monitoring checklist, please contact the Safety Advice Line. 

Recommended links

• [91Èȱ¬ Network only]
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