AV Dawson’s 100-acre
Middlesbrough port facility on the
south bank of the River Tees.
THE GREEN
SCENE
Environmental standards set
a clear path for AV Dawson
Setting an environmental example
in today’s business climate is
becoming increasingly important
for all businesses, large and small.
With focus on the environment moving
higher up the agenda, the subject can
now make or break contract negotiations,
affect business perception but also deliver
a whole host of tangible and intangible
benefits.
For AV Dawson, one of Teesside’s
largest employers, securing the ISO
140001 environmental accreditation was
more than just a tick-box exercise.
ISO 14001 is an internationally
recognised environmental standard
that sets out the requirements for
an environmental management
system. Audited by an independent
accreditation company, it helps businesses
identify, manage, monitor and control
environmental aspects and impacts.
Neil Olver, AV Dawson’s head of health,
safety and environment, says: “For 18
months we have been working hard to
gain the 140001 accreditation. This was
built on the back of the extensive work we
undertook to achieve IOS 9001 and ISO
45001.
“The standard requires AV Dawson to
understand and consider all environmental
issues relevant to our operations, such
as air pollution, river pollution, waste
management, soil contamination and
climate change.
“With our extensive port and logistical
operations, it is incredibly important that
we focus on the environment and put
in procedures to reduce the impact our
operations have on our local environment.
“We also needed to consider our
resource use, how we could become more
efficient in our operations and how to
increase our recycling rate; all to improve
our carbon footprint. We should think
of ourselves as custodians of the land
we occupy and do everything we can to
reduce the impact of our operations.”
The accreditation has delivered a
number of immediate benefits for the
business, including reduced energy
consumption, cost savings and increased
operational efficiencies. However, there
have also been several additional benefits.
“We should think of
ourselves as custodians of
the land we occupy and
do everything we can to
reduce the impact of our
operations.”
Charlie Nettle, AV Dawson’s commercial
and marketing director, says: “This is
another incredible achievement. It’s a
testament to the whole team and their
belief in our environmental standards and
how integral they are to our business.
“Working to professional standards like
this ensures the business is striving to be
the best and positions it well for securing
new opportunities with major blue-chip
companies.
“It has allowed us to take an objective
view of the business and helped us to
streamline our operations to make them
as efficient as possible.
“Although the environment has always
been a consideration, the accreditation
has formally allowed us to build this aspect
into all our strategic planning for the future
and document our progress. It has also
helped us develop our environmental
communications within the business,
allowing for greater input from our teams,
helping people understand and adopt the
AV Dawson’s recently appointed
environment adviser, Peter Athey
(left) consults with his colleague in
the health, safety & environment
team while conducting an
environmental audit.
changes we are making to the business.
“During the process of achieving the
accreditation, we have found this has
delivered a number of less tangible
benefits for the business, including the
reinforcement of our corporate social
responsibility strategy and the work we
are doing to deliver this.
“We have also received really
positive feedback from colleagues
on our environmental initiatives. Our
colleagues are integral to the adoption
of any environmental changes we make
and so we are really enthused to see
them suggesting further ideas and
improvements.
“Our focus on the environment has
undoubtedly increased staff morale and
retention across the business but it also
seems to be contributing to an increase
in the number of job applications we’re
receiving.”
Nettle adds: “This is an incredibly
exciting time for the Tees Valley with the
area set to be home to Net Zero, the first
decarbonised industrial cluster in the UK
and the location for some pioneering new
hydrogen projects.
“As a company we continue to improve
our environmental credentials so we
remain at the forefront - well positioned
to support the area’s environmental
revolution.”
The voice of business in the Tees region | 37