Experience in Implementing an Environmental Safety Management System in Major Projects of the EuroChem Group

From Manual Management to a Systematic Approach

Environmental safety management during the implementation of large-scale industrial projects requires a transition from spot-on reactions to a well-built system. When the geography spans multiple countries and regions, and the specifics vary from ore mining to chemical production and logistics, manual management becomes inefficient. Based on Deming's principle, which states that 96% of problems are caused by flaws in the management system, EuroChem initiated a process of deep transformation of its environmental function.

In his presentation, Andrey Agafonov, Head of the Environmental Protection and Ecology Department, analyzes in detail the stages of building a unified management vertical. The process began with the formation of a dedicated department and the introduction of full-time ecologists into every major project at the earliest stages. To objectively assess the current state, an external consultant was engaged, which made it possible to identify key gaps with global industry leaders and form a targeted action plan.

Integrating Ecology into Business Processes and Contractor Relations

One of the main challenges was the lack of a unified methodological base. To solve this problem, a series of local regulations was developed, covering all stages of the project life cycle — from initiation to commissioning. Using the example of environmental risk management and industrial environmental control methodologies, the speaker shows how process standardization allowed identifying and mitigating over 60 key risks.

Special attention is paid to the integration of environmental requirements into contract work:

• Revision of design assignments: the inclusion of specific requirements for facility categorization and the application of best available techniques (BAT) at the pre-design stage minimizes risks during subsequent expert reviews.
• Contractor qualification: the introduction of an independent environmental section into the technical qualification questionnaire allows screening out companies with a low safety culture even before the tender stage.
• Standard conditions in construction and installation contracts: establishing strict environmental obligations for construction organizations provides a legal basis for control and the application of sanctions in case of violations.

Staff Involvement and Service Quality Assessment

The effectiveness of any system directly depends on the level of employee involvement. To overcome the initial rejection of new regulations, a comprehensive communication strategy was implemented. The introduction of regular information digests, the creation of a competitive environment through project ranking, and the visualization of environmental goals at construction sites significantly changed the staff's attitude towards the environmental agenda.

To monitor the effectiveness of the implemented changes, the company uses a tool for regular service quality assessment. Annual surveying of adjacent departments and project teams provides objective feedback, helping to adjust the function's development vector, including initiatives to digitize processes and prepare for obtaining the Statement of Compliance with Environmental Requirements (Eco-SoC).

What you will learn from this webinar:

• How to conduct independent benchmarking of the environmental function and identify priority areas for development?
• How to integrate environmental requirements into design assignment templates and construction and installation contracts?
• How to build a system for filtering out unscrupulous contractors at the technical qualification stage?
• Which communication tools are most effective for increasing the involvement of project teams and top management in environmental issues?
• What practical difficulties can be encountered when obtaining an Eco-SoC at facilities with combined construction stages?