Environmental Policy

It is the aim of Univet Ltd to provide the highest standard of Health and Safety for its employees and others who may be directly affected by work and associated activities and minimise impact and effect on the environment.

For the purpose of this Environmental Policy, the term ‘Others’ hereafter will include persons engaged with paid work by The Company not limited to direct employees. Sub-Contractors are therefore included within this term.

This policy will be reviewed at regular intervals and any weaknesses identified will be highlighted, brought to the attention of management and addressed. Any issues identified will be given the necessary attention, time and resources to ensure high standards are maintained.

Univet Ltd is committed to providing a quality service in a manner that ensures a safe and healthy workplace for employees and others. It is the aim of The Company to minimise the potential negative impact on the environment.

It is the aim of Univet Ltd to protect the environment in the course of work and associated activities. The Company aims, so far as reasonably practicable, to provide employees and others with the necessary details to be fully compliant with legislation pertaining to environmental safety.

It is the aim of The Company, as far as is reasonably practicable, to:

  • Protect the environment from pollution as result of its work and activities;
  • Protect the environment from pollution as result of its work and activities;
  • Provide employees and others with the necessary details concerning the environment including information, instruction, training and supervision where appropriate;
  • Be fully compliant with legislation pertaining to waste and the environment;
  • Integrate the consideration of environmental issues and concerns into decision making and work practices;
  • Minimise waste, incorporating general waste, hazardous waste and waste not eligible for recycling;
  • Reduce waste produced In House (offices and warehouse);
  • Reduce waste produced On Site;
  • Recycle as much waste;
  • Minimise energy and resource output, including electricity, gas and water;
  • Purchase products and services which have the least impact and damage on the environment;
  • Communicate these environmental aims and commitments with clients, customers and the public to incorporate feedback, assistance and support;
  • Record and monitor performance information pertaining to the environment, including energy use and other details relating to carbon footprint;
  • Develop and maintain appropriate emergency procedures concerning the environment;
  • Provide a safe and healthy working environment and endeavour to communicate with employees and others regarding issues relating to health, safety, welfare and the environment;
  • Record and monitor performance to develop systems, with a view to cooperate with the Environment Agency, Local Authority and other bodies;

The contents of this Environmental Policy will be brought to the attention of all employees to enable them to identify their own environmental responsibilities.

Waste

In House – Offices & Warehouse

It is the aim of The Company to reduce waste produced In House.

Waste produced In House will be separated accordingly for safety and recycling purposes. Whilst hazardous waste produced by the office will be minimal, this will be significantly increased by the warehouse.

Hazardous substances will be handled with care as per normal Health and Safety instructions. Simply because the container (barrel, cylinder, canister, drum or any structure holding the substance) may seem empty and no more content accessible, hazardous waste can still escape and cause Health and Safety and environmental issues.

Hazardous waste will be stored outside and remain in safe, sealed containers. Any leaks or exposure of the hazardous waste must be reported to management immediately. Whilst there are no drains in the areas where hazardous substances and waste is stored, limiting the movement of any exposed or spilt hazardous waste will assist in the clean-up of the substance and prevent further Health and Safety issues.

Confidential waste will be shredded, and the shredded paper recycled. Practically all wastepaper in the office is recycled.

It is the aim of Univet ltd to increase its recyclable materials and record the amounts produced to monitor environmental performance. Further guidance and notice shall be given in the implementation of any new measures introduced.

On Site

It is the aim of Univet to reduce, re-use and recycle waste produced on site.

Any hazardous wastes shall be stored in safe, suitable and sufficient containers to prevent leakage and/or exposure. Disposal of this waste will be carried out by environmental specialists – disposing of this via open drains into main water systems is strictly prohibited.

Waste Disposal

The Duty of Care for Waste is dealt with under Part II of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.  For Univet Ltd as the duty holder it means measures must be taken to stop the waste escaping from control and, as previously stated, store it safely and securely. This will prevent pollution or harming anyone and wildlife.

Therefore, if waste is given to someone else for transport or disposal, Univet Ltd must ensure they are authorised, accredited and reputable. A paper-trail or otherwise appropriate for this is necessary to provide evidence of the collection. This is referred to as the Transfer Note.

Information required for this includes what waste there is and how much, what sort of containers it is in, the time and date of transfer, where the transfer occurred, name and addresses of the parties involved in the transfer, whether the person transferring is producer or importer, if they are registered waste carriers and their Environment Agency certificate number, any Environmental Permits from either party noted. Both parties must have copies of this. These details must be kept on file for two years.

Hazardous Substances

All hazardous substances are subject to the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) and the relevant information provided in the form of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS). COSHH and MSDS details can be obtained from the Health, Safety and Environmental Manager.

Hazardous Substances are to remain in containers at all times. They shall remain in their original containers for as long as possible until work processes require otherwise.

Work processes that involve hazardous substances to leave their original container shall be performed with due care and attention in accordance with Health and Safety Safe Systems of Work.

As detailed in the aforementioned issue of waste, hazardous waste will be stored outside and remain in the safe, sealed containers.

Any leaks or exposure of the hazardous waste must be reported to management immediately. Whilst there are no drains in the areas where hazardous substances and waste is stored, limiting the movement of any exposed or spilt hazardous waste will assist in the clean-up of the substance and prevent further Health and Safety issues.

It is the aim of The Company, so far as reasonably practicable, to have a significant number of staff and others to be asbestos trained.

Transport

The movement and transportation of waste and hazardous substances shall be done only in suitable vehicles.

Any containers shall be kept upright and held in place in the vehicles to prevent spillage of substances or items.

Any leaks or spillages must be dealt with as soon as possible and reported to the HSE manager or another member of management.

Training

It is the aim of The Company to provide suitable, sufficient and relevant training to staff and others when appropriate and reasonably practicable.

All staff and others shall be made aware of the general rules for housekeeping, general waste and recycling.

Some people may require specialist instruction, training, information and supervision whereas others will not need this. For example, warehouse staff and others on site will require training concerning hazardous substances, asbestos and the environment whereas this may not be the case for all office and admin staff.

It is the aim of The Company to provide suitable and sufficient training schedules for environmental issues which shall be incorporated with Health and Safety training schedules.

George Crowe
Managing Director, Univet Ltd

Environmental Policy