Risk Management Coursework (Coursework Sample)

RISK MANAGEMENT
Name
Course
University
Tutor
Department
City
Date
 Aims and objectives of the organisation
The main aim for establishing BAE Systems plc. Was to undertake a preliminary site investigations and come up with an outline of the various strategies for remedying the problems identified in the site. This was after the production operations in the Royal Ordinance factory stopped in 2002, and BAE Systems was to work on bringing the site of the company back into productive or beneficial use. The two main objectives of BAE Systems in undertaking this practice were to provide enough information to aid in the development of a strong outline strategy for remediation. The other objectives was to act in support of the Environmental Statement and Environmental Impact Assessment during the Putline Planning Application.
In order to meet these objectives, BAE Systems also carried out an investigation and assessment in order to provide information on the extent and nature of contamination in the area, mainly that which was associated with the identified sources of contamination in the Preliminary Risk Assessment. BAE Systems also carried out the investigations to provide a level of confidence that had been detected in the unexpected types of sources of contamination, while developing an initial conceptual site model. The assessment was also meant to identify both the actual and potential pollutant linkages, as well as, the requirements for continued investigation, while also informing the remediation strategy.
Regulations Applicable to the organisation
Preliminary Risk Assessment for Land Contamination to establish the previous land use of the site or the lands adjacent to it and identify any possible sources of contamination, pathways and receptors CITATION Gat13 \l 1033 (Gateshead Council, 2013). This is important because pollutants can have pathways that may lead them to underground water sources and other areas hence cause even further harm and damage to other areas. Stage I Site Investigation Outline Strategy is necessary for the assessment of various land contamination issues that may lead to regeneration of the Site CITATION Gen06 \l 1033 (Anon., 2006). Factual Report is a document with all the information pertaining to the site, the data collected, issues identified and solutions or remedies proposed for the issues. Outline Remediation Strategy is a description of the site location and history, as well as, the investigation of site data to determine any pollutants or contamination and come up with remedies for the identified issues. Based on the regulations provided BAE Systems will have to make the necessary changes to its structure of operations to ensure that the regulations are taken into consideration when handling the site. Different regulations apply in different locations based on the nature, history and data provided or available on the location, as well as, the level of risk involved with the site CITATION Red05 \l 1033 (Redrow Group & BAE Systems property Investments Ltd , 2005).
Acceptable risk threshold
There are specifically set thresholds for the various contaminants or pollutants in the site with different limits for different chemicals or elements. However, for most compounds, the detection limits are calculated below the GSCA for most of the compounds found in the site. However, there are a few exceptions which include benzene.
Identify mitigation actions for risks that are above the stated threshold.
In cases where the acceptable threshold is exceeded there are hole-logs and analytical testing of results that are used in combination to assess the issue further CITATION BAE11 \l 1033 (BAE Systems Environmental Ltd , 2011).
Risk Register for Company
Risk Number

Risk Description

Risk Information sources (i.e. references from research)

Likelihood (1-5)

Impact (1-5)

Risk Rating (Likelihood x Impact)

Above acceptable rating?

Mitigation actions

1

Risk of Water Environment Receptors

A comparison of the leach ability data and the appropriate water quality standards in Tier 1 was showed that the soil concentrations were not sufficient to impact on the receptor and ignore dilution, attenuation and dispersion along the pathway.

5

4

20

Yes

Ensure water from the site is not allowed to leach or seep into other sources to avoid further contamination and spread of pollutants

2

Human Health Risk

This may be due to direct contact with contaminated materials, ingestion or inhalation that may cause health hazards and other health complications. This risk results from the potential for generation of dust on Site as a result of dry climate and movement of vehicles on un-surfaces roads on the Site. It may also be due to direct contact with the site especially among workers or people who have been authorized to access the contaminated Sites.

5

5

20

Yes

Require confirmation that there are no significant levels of contamination around other chemical storage areas and other tanks that were not targeted in the assessment.
Require workers and other authorized personnel to dress appropriately to avoid or minimize contact with the contaminated materials and surfaces as much as possible CITATION Red11 \l 1033 (Redrow Homes South Wales & Monmouthshire Bank Sidings, Newport , 2011).

3

Risks to Buildings

There is a potential source of sulphate contamination as identified under Preliminary Risk Assessment especially in areas where there is the manufacture and storage of sulphuric acid. Solids made up mainly of calcium sulphate in the picrate lagoons and in the vicinity, as well as, sulphur dump also contribute to contamination or destruction of buildings because of the constituents of made ground CITATION Tom09 \l 1033 (Kendrick, 2009).

4

4

15

No

Conduct further investigation in the listed unexpected locations that were noted to require further investigations. Such locations include storage areas along the main road, laundry areas, Works Department areas, and the Boilerhouse No.2.
Require confirmation that there are no significant sources of undetected contamination under buildings in the Core Development Area.

4

Risks to Flora and Fauna

The widespread elevated concentrations of hydrocarbons and phytotoxic metals in the site and surrounding properties also poses a great risk to the local flora and fauna. There are potential pathways of contaminants to the local fauna that are similar to those that pose risks to property such as buildings. These risks can lead to total wipe out of some animal or plant species, especially those in aquatic habitats where contaminants can get into the water through underground seeping. Other contaminants can also reach these habitats through leaching especially those that are diluted in the water.

4

5

17

No

Ensure proper disposal of waste materials and contaminated water to avoid bringing risks to aquatic life and other flora and fauna.

5

Human Risks

Humans around the CDA will be exposed to soil contaminants in places such as residential gardens, landscaped areas and playing fields. Soil above 0.5m poses the risk of ingestion and direct contact, while soil above 1.0m can get into vapour inhalation pathways. The general public is the potential receptor of these risks especially in areas of Recreational Open Space CITATION Par06 \l 1033 (Park & Hempstead, 2006) CITATION Red11 \l 1033 (Redrow Homes South Wales & Monmouthshire Bank Sidings, Newport , 2011).

5

3

15

Yes

Enclose the Retained Land that encompasses the ETF using a high security fence and other security patrolled perimeter tracks to prevent human access to this area, with the exception of authorised visitors and ETF personnel. Exposure characteristics of workers within the Retained land should be related to the activities that they undertake in their working environments. The exposure characteristics of duration and frequency of workers within some parts of the Retained Land that are used more intensely than the rest should also be differed CITATION Bru04 \l 1033 (Barkeley, 2004).

6

Ground Water Risk

This can occur through the infiltration of rainwater through leaching of soluble contaminants and soil, with subsequent movement through the unsaturated zones. This forms the main pathway through which contaminants enter the groundwater. It is possible for NAPLs to move to groundwater directly especially through the unsaturated zones. Shallow underground water flows predominantly to the nearest local watercourse, without a discernible regional flow pattern across the Site in the shallow groundwater.

3

4

16

Yes

Ensure that contaminants are not released into any water sources and that waste materials containing soluble contaminants are treated well to avoid seepage to other water sources. Store water in the site in enclosed water tanks that do not allow water to seep into the underground source to prevent further contamination.

7

Surface Water Risks

The risk assessment established that most of the surface water from the site drains into Dargavel Burn and leaves the Site at the southern boundary CITATION Akk14 \l 1033 (Akko Steel Mills & ENOSH Systems , 2014). There are also other tributaries that flow through the site and into Craigton Burn, Picrite Drain and Cordite Burn. The western edge of the Site drains into Lin Burn through the Southbarr landfill. This network of water flows creates linkages of pollutants as leached contaminants enter the surface water through groundwater, especially...