In December 2005, Shell Puget Sound Refinery (PSR) was certified to the ISO 14001 environmental management standard by a qualified third party certifying firm. This standard places the refinery in the top tier of industrial facilities around the world in environmental management practices.
This certification completed a process that began in 2003. This certification means that Shell Puget Sound Refinery has been thoroughly evaluated and certified by an external certifying body that PSR meets the international standard for an environmental management system. This provides an objective and highly qualified “seal of approval” on the practices employed at the refinery aimed at minimizing impacts to the environment.
While certification indicates a completion of the process, in the case of ISO 14001 certification, it is better understood as a verification of the management systems in place that will generate continuous improvement. That means the process is ongoing, and the work aimed at improving environmental management will go on continuously with ever improving results.
The Shell Puget Sound Refinery is the second of the four refineries in Northwest Washington to receive this certification. All of the Shell US refineries have embarked on a goal to obtain certification to the ISO 14001 standard.
Who is ISO, and what is ISO 14000 and 14001?
ISO is the internationally recognized name for the International Organization for Standardization. Although the organization traces its beginnings to the International Electrotechnical Commission formed in 1906, it was formally organized as ISO in 1947. It currently consists of a network of the standards institutes of 156 member countries with one member from each country represented within the ISO organization. It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
The primary function of the non-governmental organization is to publish international standards in a variety of industries in order to facilitate trade and technology transfer. ISO standards are voluntary and the organization has no regulatory authority. Additionally, ISO as an organization does not verify whether or not companies or organizations are meeting their standards. They do, however, certify companies that have the demonstrated capability of assessing organizations to determine if they meet the ISO standards. It is these certifying companies that provide the certification under strict regulation by ISO. ISO has published more than 15,000 standards, of which the vast majority are highly specific to products, materials or processes. The ISO 14000 families are known as one of the “generic management system standards.”
Specifically, ISO 14001 is an internationally accepted specification for an Environmental Management System. It specifies requirements for:
• establishing an environmental policy
• determining environmental aspects & impacts of products, activities and services
• planning environmental objectives and measurable targets
• implementation and operation of programs to meet objectives and targets
• checking & corrective action
• management review
Who is ERM CVS?
ERM CVS (Environmental Resource Management Certification and Verification Service) is a London-based organization that provides certification to ISO 14001 standards as well as other European and international environmental standards. The organization is overseen by an advisory board that is chaired by Mr. Derek Osborn, former Director General of Environment at the U.K. Government’s Department of the Environment.
While all certification agencies are charged with verifying compliance with ISO 14001 standards, there is considerable difference in approach and methodology between the different agencies. ERM CVS is widely recognized for its assessment methods and the rigor of its certification process. Personnel from the agency visited the refinery in person on numerous occasions with complete access to all locations, personnel and facilities. One aspect of its process is its evaluation of real performance and not just adherence to the standards on paper.
Shell Puget Sound Refinery engaged ERM CVS in order to gain the highest level of Environmental Management System attainment. As stated on the ERM CVS website, “Certification from ERM CVS is recognized as an outstanding mark of excellence in EHS (Environmental, Health and Safety) management, particularly by those working in the EHS field, regulators, ethical investors, industry associations, and interest groups.”
Why did Shell PSR seek certification to ISO 14001 standards?
Shell PSR has long stated its commitment to the highest levels of environmental protection. This certification process would help the refinery evaluate its performance related to that commitment and enable the community and the industry to know that the reports provided by the refinery on environmental management and performance have been verified by highly regarded objective experts.
What was the process used by ERM CVS to verify Shell Puget Sound Refinery’s alignment with the ISO 14001 standards?
After Shell PSR engaged ERM CVS in mid-2003, the agency conducted its first pre-assessment visit. A schedule of assessments was established and an internal process for implementing improvements identified as part of the assessments was established. Shell PSR put in place a team of employees throughout the facility to help manage the process. Tracy Hascall, Jim Caddell and Jerry Byfield led this team.
The first stage assessment was completed in September 2004. It identified numerous areas where processes could be improved. Two subsequent assessment visits were conducted with the final one in August 2005. After completing the assessments, the refinery was notified it was being recommended for certification, which was finalized in December 2005.
Once the certification is complete, does it mean that the process is over?
The ISO 14001 standards require a process of continuous improvement. A part of ERM CVS’s service is ongoing verification every six to twelve months. It is necessary for the refinery to demonstrate that the environmental practices are in place that will result in continual improvement in environmental performance.
How has this changed how the refinery operates?
The biggest changes came as a result of seeing our facility and processes with new eyes. The outside experts showed us how we could improve on even the smallest items and how that would make a difference.
But there were also some very specific things we did to implement the changes:
- involved everyone in the refinery including contractors
- established environmental focal points and area “owners”
- established an “Environmental Improvement Council”
- established a reward program with money contributed to local charities for successful performance
- emphasized recycling
- increased environmental communications
How was everyone involved?
Everyone in the refinery, including all routine contractors, were required to participate in a four-hour training session on environmental awareness. These sessions were conducted in April and May of 2005. These training sessions emphasized the role that everyone needs to play in environmental performance and how the goals could be attained only by everyone’s full participation. Additionally, all employees and contractors participated in a new annual refinery-wide clean-up day in May 2005 that included nearby roads and highways.
What is the Environmental Improvement Council?
This is a group made up of the area owners (employees assigned to monitor specific zones of the refinery), members of the Refinery Leadership Team and other designated employees. They do a walk around of the facility to carefully inspect all the areas and operations to evaluate improvements and what still needs to be addressed. An action list is created from these walk-arounds and assignments made to complete identified items.
What about the rewards program involving gifts to local charities?
There are fourteen areas designated throughout the refinery that are continually monitored. Each quarter these areas are evaluated and depending on how the inspection comes out, they can receive monetary rewards. This money does not go to employees, but rather goes to one of six charities that have been chosen by employees of the refinery. If all 14 areas receive full credit, a total of $1400 per quarter will be donated to these charities or a total of $5600 per year. The currently designated charities are:
- Adopt-a-Family
- Big Brothers Big Sisters
- Red Cross of Anacortes
- Anacortes Public Library Foundation
- Anacortes School District PTA
- Habitat for Humanity
How have you improved recycling?
Shell Puget Sound Refinery has established a very aggressive recycling program. Working closely with Waste Management, we have established Green and Blue dumpsters to receive garbage and recyclable materials. Items we are now recycling include:
- Cardboard
- Aluminum Cans
- Paper
- Scrap metal
- Newspaper
- Plastic
- Batteries
- Aerosol cans
- Used motor oil
What impact will this have on the community?
First, we want the community to know about the ISO 14001 international standard and the effort we have made to attain that certification. It should help them understand that our frequently stated commitment to the environment is not just words, but is backed up by a strong refinery-wide effort and verified by some of the leading experts in the world on the topic of environmental management practices.
Secondly, we think that by making environmental stewardship a vital part of our work every day will not only help protect our local environmental from potential damage but can also have an impact on how the entire community thinks about environmental protection. Habits developed at work are easily translated to actions at home and in the community. By making this a high priority for all of our employees, we believe it will be seen and felt throughout the community.
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