6.1.2.b Environmental aspects / condition

Consider this situation:

Impact under normal, most likely, most frequent condition.

Unfortunately, due to a malfunction, or a breakdown, things that we cannot forecast, the situation can become like this:

I use as criteria for abnormality, frequency and not being able to forecast. For example, starting a boiler is different from keeping a boiler working. Emissions are different, due to different burning regime, but starting a boiler can be forecasted, it is not an abnormality.

The following material will provide you more information about aspects and impacts:

- Article - 4 steps in identification and evaluation of environmental aspects - https://advisera.com/14001academy/knowledgebase/4-steps-in-identification-and-evaluation-of-environmental-aspects/
- Environmental aspect identification and classification - https://advisera.com/14001academy/blog/2019/08/27/key-iso-14001-benefits-to-customers/nowledgebase/environmental-aspect-identification-and-classification/
- Free webinar - Free webinar - ISO 14001: Identification and evaluation of environmental aspects - https://advisera.com/14001academy/webinar/iso-14001-identification-and-evaluation-of-environmental-aspects-free-webinar-on-demand/
- Enroll for free in this course – ISO 14001:2015 Foundations Course - https://advisera.com/training/iso-14001-internal-auditor-course/
Book – The ISO 14001:2015 Companion - https://advisera.com/books/the-iso-14001-2015-companion/
 

Can you please elaborate Abnormal, Emeregency

ISO 14001:2015 does not include definitions for emergency or abnormal operation.

I use the term abnormal for situations different from normal operation. For example,

• During start or shutdown of an operation (during start or shutdown of a boiler, air emissions are very different from during normal operation)
• During a shift change over or during out of hours operation
• During the operation with inexperienced people or a machine breakdown 

Although abnormal the environmental impact is not severe.

I use the term emergency for an unplanned situation with severe environmental impact.

A machine break down is unplanned, and environmental impacts are severe (we have an emergency situation ) or not severe (we have an abnormal situation)