EMS

In 2003 the Halifax Port Authority created an Environmental Management System (EMS) to integrate environmental considerations into the management of the HPA’s operations. This system establishes and maintains procedures to identify and manage the environmental impacts of the HPA’s activities and services. The HPA’s EMS and supporting documents have been developed to be consistent with ISO 14001 Standards for environmental management systems.

The EMS ensures that the HPA is able to identify and manage the environmental impacts related to its activities and that there is a system for continual improvement in environmental performance. The HPA is committed to sustainable development and to the health and safety of the environment, the local community and its employees.

Audits

The EMS is regularly audited for conformance to the ISO 14001 standards. These audits are conducted by accredited 3rd party auditors. The HPA also engages environmental experts to perform an annual audit of its facilities to ensure that both the HPA and its tenants are in compliance with the relevant environmental legislation and best management practices.

Each year the HPA also performs an internal audit to determine if the environmental management system conforms to the ISO 14001 framework and has been properly implemented and maintained to meet the HPA’s environmental management standards.

Compliance and registration audits are also performed on a yearly basis.

Corrective and Preventative Measures

Through our EMS system we have established procedures for defining, investigating, correcting and preventing non-conformity issues related to the environmental management system and the associated environmental management programs.

The HPA's EMS system is reviewed annually by the HPA’s senior management team to determine its suitability, adequacy and effectiveness. The review considers possible changes to the policy, objectives, targets and overall performance of the EMS.

We recognize the importance of minimizing air emissions. In 2008 we are looking into a variety of ways we can reduce our use of utilities and our emissions through the use of technology and improvements to equipment.

For more information about EMS please contact:

Phone: (902) 426-3642
E-mail: environment@portofhalifax.ca