H2.7-2.8 Horse Care H2.7b Improve Practices This presentation has been produced by Ausintec Academy (Study Horses .com) for purpose of Educational Training. It is not for sale and may not be used or reproduced without prior written permission from the Director of Ausintec Academy

Improve Practices Overview Environmental Regulation Environmental Management Plans Making Suggestions Breaches Sustainable Work Practices Sustainable Work Practices Video Tutorial Summary References This workbooks focal point is around the environment and the requirements of businesses in addressing environmental concerns and resources. Whilst the horse industry may not produce and contribute to environmental problems as much as other industry types, horse related businesses will still be required to follow the same requirements and legislation.

Environmental Regulation Industry Provide assistance to organisations/businesses in ensuring they comply with environmental laws associated with that particular business. Local Environmental laws and requirements which are enforced by councils where the workplace is located. States/Territories Departments that govern environmental laws in defined areas of the country. International Laws and protocols that ensure the environment is protected on a global level. Environmental regulations, laws and policies are designed to protect the environment (which in turn protects employees, employers and other people in the area). Regulations are also necessary to provide direction to businesses in how to adhere to their environmental duties and by doing so avoid penalties. Environmental laws, policies and regulation offences and breaches can carry hefty fines and penalties. Environmental regulation occurs at different levels, at the bottom is the business or organisation itself, then the industry, local government, states/territories, Commonwealth and finally an international level. A business should ensure that its policies support the laws and regulations that guide and affect business activities. Businesses also ought to ensure that employees are aware of these policies and the consequences for deviating from them.

Environmental Management Plans Step 1 Gather information Step 2 Development & documentation of operational plan and reporting procedures Step 3 Implement procedures and deadlines Step 4 Improve the plan continuously To formalise and implement a commitment to reducing the impact on the environment a business may develop an Environmental Management Plan or EMP. These plans are designed to meet environmental obligations and establish how they will reduce wastage. EMP’s include policies, procedures and guidelines a business may use and implement to make the business more environmentally responsible and resource efficient. The process by which an EMP is developed takes time and should be credible, achievable, relevant and legally reliable. An important part of EMP’s is identifying areas for improvement. In recognising these areas a business can improve their environmental standard and resource efficiency. Involving employees and staff in improvements is a key factor as they will be able to give significant feedback on how successful the implemented policies and procedures are also community values, client feedback and competitors actions can be useful in detecting areas for improvement.

Making Suggestions Most businesses encourage input and suggestions from their employees regarding improvements to workplace practices. In the preparation for making suggestions make sure your ideas can be easily understood and that you have considered all aspects of the suggestion (i.e., costs, benefits, disadvantages) such as:- Distinguish how the suggestion will assist or improve the business operations e.g., increase resource efficiency, improve customer satisfaction. Identify the costs and benefits of the suggestion e.g., buying a manure vacuum will be expensive immediately but in the long term will save employees time in manure collection and disposal. Identify the benefits to the environment. Provide plans for how the suggestion could be implemented into current policies and procedures.   Short reports (informal reports) are another method of providing suggestions to people higher up in the business. A short report is no more than 4 pages long and can include:- Memo heading (date, name of report, receiver’s name) Introductory paragraph (provides background information i.e., why, what the report was prepared) Body (reports the findings, describes the research) Conclusions (summarises/evaluates) Recommendations (likely outcomes) Attachments (extra necessary documentation i.e., quotes)

Breaches A ‘breach’ or ‘non-compliance’ is when a business falls outside of (violates) laws and legislation. Breaches come with consequences such as financial penalties, however compliance comes with its own incentives for example reducing the business ecological footprint, being seen as a good corporate citizen and to be within legal compliance. The business will be bound by law to report certain breaches and non-compliances. This helps to minimise harm to the environment and allows action to be taken to rectify the situation. In some cases the financial penalty for not reporting a breach is much higher than the fine for the breach itself. As an employee you may face penalties if you fail to report or notify breaches so it is important to know your responsibilities to carry out your employment duty. Breaches may be reported internally (within the business) and externally (outside the business). Internal reporting will keep records of licences and permits the business uses to operate and the breaches which are relevant to those permits and licences. Included in internal records should be other information such as checklists, information and mechanisms for reporting breaches. The purpose of maintaining and recording this documentation may be for:- annual audits informing stakeholders (management, shareholders etc)   Reporting a breach externally could mean contacting emergency services (extreme cases) but generally the Environmental officer would use the report of a breach to notify authorities of non-compliance and action. These authorities then decide on the penalty for the business.

Sustainable Work Practices These practices are designed to make sure the resources that are used by a business are used in a manner which is efficient, reduces the impact on the environment and are disposed of appropriately. Sustainable work practices can reduce environmental impact by:- Compliance with regulations reduces the risk of fines In producing less waste the cost of waste disposal in diminished Marketing opportunities for being friendly to the environment The whole community benefits from improved environment outcomes Efficient use of resources saves money Improved workplace health and safety

Sustainable Work Practices Video

After the Video Tutorial View the Power Point Presentation and see if you can discuss each slide View the Video Tutorial again, if necessary Read the Workbook Do the Homework/Extension Lesson Complete the Online Quizzes Complete the Practical Assessments Join Phone Tutorials if available Listen to Phone Tutorial Recordings

References Publication:- Author:- Websites:- Participate in environmentally sustainable Software Publications Pty Ltd work practices Websites:- http://www.equestrian.org.au/default.asp?Page=9296&MenuID=EA_Services/11755/0 http://www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/environment.aspx