Impact of Maintenance Activities on the Environment Essays

Impact of Maintenance Activities on the Environment Essays Impact of Maintenance Activities on the Environment Essay Impact of Maintenance Activities on the Environment Essay The Academy Graduate Studies, Benghazi. Term Paper for Maintenance Management Course Titled: Impact of Maintenance Activities on the Environment. Prepared By: Haitham Hashem 4657. Farage Shem 4465. Supervised By: Prof. Dr. Farage Elfeituri. Contents Introduction3 How Can Maintenance Affect the Environment? 4 Limitation of Environmental impact in maintenance operations4 I. Evaluation of Environmental aspects in maintenance4 II. Environmental aspects to be considered5 1. Procurement Concerns5 . Hazardous Materials Storage6 3. Operating Practices6 4. Washing Activities7 5. Reuse and Recycling8 6. Painting Operations9 III. Definition of appropriate actions to limit significant environmental aspects / impacts10 The conclusion12 References13 Introduction When evaluating the overall environmental impact of a product throughout its life cycle, careful consideration shall be given to the duration of the life cycle as well as to each of the life cycle phases. The relative importance f the impa ct of each life cycle phase may in fact be significantly different for a short life cycle product compared to a long life cycle product, the following table shows relative importance of life cycle phases on the overall environmental performance of a product: | Procurement| Design| Manufacturing| Use | Maintenance| End of life| SLC| ***| ***| ***| ***| **| *| LLS| ***| ***| *| ***| **| *| | | | | * Not very important| ** Important| ***Very important| For a long life cycle product, it is obvious that the impact of in-service use as well as maintenance of the product will be of significant importance. For example, a lack of maintenance for a vehicle or a machine may lead to a significant increase in the consumption of fuel or other consumables required for proper timing. Particular attention shall therefore also be paid to educating consumers or users to ensure the product is operated in the most appropriate and environmentally friendly condition, and in particular to ensure it is in line with applicable standards or regulations and in accordance with the initial characteristic of the product as delivered. How Can Maintenance Affect the Environment? Maintenance activities can generate a variety of solid and hazardous wastes. Commonly generated wastes include out-of-date supplies, wastewater, oils, petroleum products and greases, solvents (both waste liquids and vapors), paints, and consumed components (seals, belts, bearings,†¦), as well as waste metal, cardboard, and paper. Each of these wastes has the potential to negatively affect one or more of the environmental media (i. e. , land, water, and air), in addition it these activities it can also generate a considerable amount noise which is a kind of pollution. However, such activities and practices as segregating wastes, using proper inventory control, preventing spills, practicing preventive maintenance, improving process efficiency, and recycling can help minimize these impacts. Limitation of Environmental impact in maintenance operations When engaged in a environmental complain, either to improve a maintenance system or designing a new one, the following considerations should be toke into account: I. Evaluation of Environmental aspects in maintenance To limit environmental impact of maintenance during the use phase of the asset, it is essential for the various environmental aspects of the asset to be identified as a prerequisite. This can be done according to the methodology defined in any Environmental Analysis input/output box method, this analysis shall also identify which of the various regulatory frameworks should be applied when maintaining a product, as well as other commitments or company policies to be complied with: The result of this streamlined analysis shall be improved knowledge and identification of the significant environmental impacts related to maintenance operations. Analysis and optimization of the preventive maintenance (PM) program for equipment items associated with the organization’s significant environmental aspects will be necessary to make sure that maintenance is adequately planned, additionally, how are potentially significant environmental impacts addressed in the job plans for PM activities? There are two starting points for this optimization: Either examine existing PM activities as they come due and modify them to take into account the analysis of environmental aspects, or begin with a list of the organizations significant environmental aspects, check for appropriate PM coverage, and set up PM actions as needed. Predictive maintenance (PdM) activities are of several types: vibration, lube sampling, infrared scanning, etc. PdM actions are focused on more critical equipment and this proactive approach may be well suited for equipment associated with the organizations significant environmental aspects, looking into the PdM program can take the same two starting points as in the PM program above. As for corrective maintenance (CM), it doesn’t distinguish from PM and PdM so much, except for the fact that waste management becomes a focal point, due to the unpreventable association of waste generation to CM operations. II. Environmental aspects to be considered 1. Procurement Concerns Purchasing decisions are an important element of pollution prevention. Making environmentally sound purchasing decisions can help reduce the amount of waste generated by a vehicle maintenance shop. In addition, the purchasing of recycled content products helps support markets for materials collected for recycling. Will the facility use recycled automotive maintenance products and retread tires? Such products as refiltered or re-refined oil and hydraulic fluids, as well as recycled antifreeze and solvent, are available for use in vehicle maintenance operations. Will the facility identify and use the least toxic product available to complete a job? Many maintenance products are formulated with high percentages of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and toxic constituents. Safer, more environmentally sound materials are, however, available and perform as well as traditional products. For example, non-chlorinated solvents can be substituted for chlorinated solvents, detergent-based solutions can be substituted for caustic solutions in many applications, and water-based cleaners often can be used instead of organic solvents. Will long-lasting or synthetic oils be used when possible? Long-lasting oils reduce waste generation because they do not need to be replaced as often. 2. Hazardous Materials Storage Maintenance operations often involve the use of hazardous materials. The use of these materials can affect the environment through improper storage, air emissions of volatile chemicals, and spills and other uncontrolled releases, as well as the potential generation of toxic waste materials. Will hazardous materials be properly stored and handled? Proper storage and handling can include labeling containers, protecting materials from the elements, maintaining secondary containment, ensuring the compatibility of stored materials to avoid explosion hazards, and following instructions on the products Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs). Will the access to hazardous materials be limited? Limiting the access to hazardous materials allows a shop to keep track of chemical usage more easily and helps reduce unnecessary waste generation. Will a first-in, first-out inventory control system be used? This type of system helps prevent materials from expiring prior to use and becoming unnecessary waste. Efforts should also be made to minimize inventory levels by purchasing only the amount of material that will be needed in a reasonably short period of time (e. g. , 30 days) to reduce loss from spoilage. At the same time, however, materials should be purchased in the largest containers appropriate to minimize excessive packaging. 3. Operating Practices The use of oils, solvents, and other maintenance products can have significant effects on human health and the environment. The adoption of environmentally conscious operating practices can, however, reduce these impacts. Will maintenance bays be located to minimize the potential impacts of maintenance activities on the surrounding environment? Will the facility avoid unnecessary maintenance? One of the biggest sources of waste generated from maintenance shops comes from unneeded maintenance activities. An example of a way to minimize this waste is to change equipments’ fluids on an as-needed basis rather than according to a fixed maintenance schedule not based on equipment usage. Does the facility operating plan specify reducing the number and types of products, such as solvent, that will be used at the shop? Minimizing the types of different solvents used can simplify inventory procedures, reduce waste management issues, and facilitate recycling. Does the facility keep copies of its spill control and countermeasure plan for hazardous materials in each shop? Will the facility use drip pans, secondary containment, and other collection devices to help reduce the impact of spills and the use of absorbent products? Will a bulk fluids distribution system be cost effective? This type of system allows employees to dispense only as much product as is necessary for a job, in addition to reducing the potential for spills associated with the use of large, unwieldy containers. Will the facilitys solvent sink be operated to reduce environmental impacts? Environmentally preferable operating practices include pre-rinsing parts with dirty solvent before using fresh solvent to extend solvent life, removing parts from the sink slowly to reduce solvent dragout, using drip racks to reduce solvent loss, keeping sink lids closed when not in use to minimize the evaporation of solvent, not leaving solvent streams running, and cleaning out sludges regularly to maintain fresh solvent. 4. Washing Activities Washing can generate a large quantity of wastewater that may be contaminated with oils, greases, and dirt, as well as washing soaps and detergents. In some States, it is illegal to wash equipments without wastewater recycling equipment under certain conditions. Does equipments washing need to take place onsite? In some instances, offsite washing is a more efficient and environmentally preferable option. However, if properly implemented, onsite washing can be preferable since it can reduce the amount of fuel used expressly for moving the equipment for washing. Will equipment washing take place at a centralized, enclosed, and contained area to reduce potential impacts to the surrounding environment from runoff? Will equipment washing be conducted on an as-needed basis, rather than according to a fixed schedule? Reducing unnecessary washing can significantly reduce wastewater generation. Will the wastewater from the wash racks floor drains be properly treated onsite (e. g. , by removing oils, greases, and other contaminants) prior to discharge to a waterbody? Will an oil/water separator be used? Will the wash rack use detergents that do not contain phosphates or toxics? Can water from the wash rack be captured, filtered, and reused rather than being released? If a facility will maintain a large number equipments that require washing, a custom designed washing facility may be cost effective. If equipments washing must be performed by hand, a high volume, low pressure washer system will be more cost effective than a simple hose in terms of reduced personnel hours and energy usage. 5. Reuse and Recycling Many of the waste materials generated during vehicle maintenance activities can be reused or recycled into usable products. Reuse and recycling are preferable to treatment and disposal because they remove materials that would otherwise become waste. Are there plans for adequate segregation and containment of waste oil, antifreeze, and solvent? Each of these materials can be reclaimed or recycled if segregated. However, commingling these wastes makes recovery more difficult or impossible and dramatically increases waste disposal costs. Will the facility use solvent or antifreeze reclamation units? The onsite recycling of fluids is often a cost-effective pollution prevention option for larger shops. When onsite recycling is not cost effective, these materials can be segregated and picked up by a contractor for offsite recycling. Will the facility collect scrap metals generated at the shop (e. g. , used parts, empty material storage drums) for recycling? In some instances, punctured aerosol spray cans and drained oil filter casings may also be recycled as scrap. Will automotive batteries be collected and stored for recycling? Will the facility reuse cardboard and other packaging received in the delivery of parts and materials or collect it for recycling? 6. Painting Operations Wastes associated with painting operations include unused paints and dirty thinner. Thinners and solvents can also be sources of volatile organic compounds VOC emissions. Used spray booth filters are also waste products that may be generated from these shops. Proper training of employees and the use of high efficiency equipment can help reduce waste generation. Can water-based coatings be used instead of solvent-based coatings? some industries are working closely with paint manufacturers to develop acceptable substitutes for solvent-based paints. Will the facility use high efficiency painting technologies? When properly used, high volume, low pressure (HVLP) and electrostatic painting systems can reduce the amount of paint needed for a job and the amount of VOCs released to the air. Will employees be trained to use as little solvent/thinner as possible to clean up after painting activities? Will the facility employ a gun cleaning station? Gun cleaning stations capture the thinner/solvent shot through the gun and condense it for reuse instead of venting the substance to the air. In some cases, it may be possible to use water-based gun cleaners as an alternative to solvent thinner. Will the paint shop utilize reusable polystyrene booth filters? Traditional paint booth filters often must be handled as hazardous waste because of the presence of wet paint or paint containing lead or chromium. Polystyrene filters can be cleaned with compressed air and reused (with the paint residue captured for disposal). Once it can no longer be used, the cleaned filter often can be disposed of by dissolving it in a waste thinner drum. Will painting operations be located in an enclosed and properly ventilated area to reduce potential environmental releases? Will employees be trained to minimize the amount of waste paint generated by mixing only the amount of paint needed for a job? III. Definition of appropriate actions to limit significant environmental spects / impacts Appropriate limitation of environmental aspects in maintenance operations shall be performed in several ways: By considering the life cycle at the earliest stage, appropriate check lists shall generally be useful to ensure efficient and effective limitation of the environmental impact through appropriate control of emissions and/or exposures. Through appropriate training and education of maintenance operators and users, in this case, proper documentation as well as operator qualification and user awareness will be fundamental. Including careful selection of external services with respect to environmental requirements. Appropriate objectives and targets shall be defined in the context of a life-cycle oriented Environmental Management System, and associated action shall be identified and conducted through an Environmental Management Programme for Maintenance operations. The efficiency of the actions set up to limit overall environmental impacts in maintenance operations shall be regularly reviewed. Any deviations shall be monitored and corrected through corrective or preventive measures. Also Pollution Prevention/Reduction Environmental Impact Training in maintenance shops is closely linked with employee attitudes toward their work and the environment. A facility that provides basic environmental awareness/pollution prevention training and enthusiastically supports pollution prevention on a daily basis will have a noticeable effect on worker attitudes and can help reduce vehicle maintenance waste streams through such procedures as good housekeeping, spill prevention, and improved materials handling. The following pointes provide examples of actions to be performed to limit the environmental impact: * Identify all operations demanding energy, water or other resources, and the relevant requirements (environmental analysis). Identify all applicable regulatory frameworks to be complied with where the operations are performed. * Identify all consumables used and the relevant Hazards. Collect all MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) and data and have them available. * Select consumables to be recommended for maintenance operations with respect to environmental and health / safety Hazards. * Provide appropriate training for users when necess ary. * Ensure regular checks are made with respect to the initial performance of the products and proceed with appropriate repair, if necessary. * Identify any materials required to limit spillages, leaks, emissions, etc. nd the corresponding damage to the environment, and keep these materials available for this purpose, particularly in abnormal situations. * Select operators (including external services) on the basis of environmental requirements and give them appropriate training and inform them that the protection equipment is specified on the MSDS. The conclusion The maintenance activities could have significant adverse outcome on environment if not managed properly, although most of these negative effects can be prevented or reduced in cost-effective manners if addressed properly. The environmental management of maintenance operation, through the implement of environmentally sound policies, considering the environmental impact of the equipments life-cycle related to maintenance prior to purchase, and adopting environmental friendly practices in maintenance operations including waste management, will considerably improve the environmental impact of maintenance activities. The maintenance planning and scheduling functions will be expected to add environmental management activities to their agenda. Several questions worthy of investigation arise: How is the backlog sorted to identify overdue preventive maintenance work? How do activities associated with significant environmental aspects rank in the organizations prioritization process? What Key Performance Indicators are in place for assessing whether the organization is complying with its operational controls and achieving its objectives for environmental performance? Are supervisors clearly responsible for seeing that environmental management activities are performed on time? The CMMS is a great tool for tracking environmental compliance. Adding an equipment classification for those items associated with significant environmental aspects is an obvious change to make. There may well be new equipment items to include in the hierarchy. Work order types also may be appropriate for an additional type. Designing environmental performance reports is a good action. A responsive CMMS that is consistent, reliable, timely, and accessible will be a super aid for maintenance environmental management. Although these changes in maintenance practices may seem time-consuming at first, they do not all need to be implemented at once. A good plan of attack can incorporate these changes in an orderly and cost-effective manner.