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Environment
Our commitment is to assist industry in the search for proactive solutions that allow the integration of the environmental variable to their continuous improvement and total quality programs. This not only allows industry to keep up with recent regulations, but it also anticipates the changes to more stringent norms that NAFTA and other agreements may dictate.
1. ENVIRONMENTAL AUDITS The Secretariat of Labor and Social Welfare (Secretaría de Trabajo y Previsión Social) requests that the conditions of the facilities and services for workers comply with certain standards regarding quality and safety, according to updated NOM’s published recently in the Official Journey of the Federation (Diario Oficial de la Federación). On the other hand, it is well known that accidents, besides affecting human beings, cost a lot of money to the companies; this increases the costs of equipment, material, energy, indemnifications, and legal responsibility. Our audits, based on the methodology of the International Loss Control Institute (ILCI), which also takes into account the standards established by OSHA, offer a valuable instrument for the prevention and control of accidents that result in loss of human lives and unnecessary costs. 3. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT All new installations or expansions that may increase production change the use of raw material process or powers, or increase emissions to the atmosphere, water, and/or ground which must be reported in the License for Operation and in the Annual Operation Report (COA), are required to present an Environmental Impact Assessment (MIA) in any of its modes, according to the guide provided by the Impact and Risk Environmental Office (DGIRA) of the Secretariat of Environment, and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) or by the Ecology State Office where the installations are or will be constructed. 4. EVALUACIÓN AMBIENTAL DE SITIOS (ESA, Phase I, ASTM-E-1527) It is becoming more and more important for companies that plan to acquire new land for the construction of industrial plants to carry out, according to the American legislation, an evaluation of environmental status called Environmental Site Assessment. The site is inspected carefully to detect contamination problems in the area and its surroundings that can seriously affect the future operation of the plant. To date, we have performed 29 of these evaluations (Phase I & II) for several international and national companies, as a key action before the land acquisition.
The Integral Materials and Risk Management Office (DGGIMAR) of the SEMARNAT is demanding that high-risk industries present risks studies in any of it modalities. Companies that handle hazardous raw materials and/or products should be prepared for it. To date, we have made several of these studies (eg: Cemex, Cervecería Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma) including HAZOP, Fault-Tree Analysis, and "What-If" methodologies, and the advanced computerized simulation of negative events. In recent years, DGGIMAR/SEMARNAT is requiring the development and submitting of Accident Prevention Plan (PPA), according to the guidelines published in the Official Journal of the Federation (DOF). Now, it is not enough to file a Risk Analysis, but closely linked to such PPA. 6. SOCIO-ECOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH (IESE)® For some industrial plants, especially those that have notorious or unpleasant emissions, this type of analysis can be extremely important. Community reaction because of contamination problems can imply protests, street demonstrations, newspaper publications, etc. according to Title V of the General Law of Ecological Balance and Environmental Protection; this reaction can possibly cause the temporary closing, partial or total, of the plant. The authorities investigate, and accept or reject the complaint presented by the community. Furthermore, the Environmental Federal Protection Attorney (PROFEPA), stimulates the pressure on the industry via the community. This type of studies have been made for 15 Industrial Groups, (44 up to 2011) in several of their plants, with the generation of objective and weighed information in such a way that has been used for the creation of social and environmental improvement programs, and to help take decisions regarding the betterment of relations, communication, reputation, and image among communities, Federal, State, and Municipal authorities, and in general with all the stakeholders. Every industrial operation generates raw material, packaging, processes, and finished products solid waste, which can be classified in two categories: Hazardous Waste (HW) and Non-Hazardous Waste (NHW). The first one is detected by means of the CRIT test (Corrosive, Reactive, Flammable, and Toxic), which requires strict handling supervised by the PROFEPA –the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Mexican counterpart; the second one can be handled in particular landfills or in places authorized by state or county’s authorities. The program includes a systematic analysis of the processes to identify areas of opportunity in the reduction of waste, striving to optimize resources and raw materials. The analysis of the generation of waste implies first their identification (MSDS) and characterization (CRETIB test). Later, once separated of other harmless residues, we quantify their real volume by means of matter and energy balance. The statistical analysis of generation versus production and other implicit factors in the processes determines viable and measurable alternatives for raw material waste reduction as products are generated. The search for, identification, test, and use of "ecologically friendly " raw materials can be complemented to replace the present ones, reducing the generation of DW, as well as with the possibility of reusing and recycling other products. 8. ENERGY OPTIMIZATION PROGRAMS It is an energy audit that analyses power consumption in industrial plants in two specific areas: electrical and thermal. In the electrical area, it takes into account the type of contracted tariff and its load distribution, identifying hourly consumption, peak hours, power factor, etc., to obtain electrical use efficiency. Later, an analysis of the ideal system versus the real one detects the opportunities for power optimization by areas applying the concept of "Energy Conservation Opportunities (ECO’s)". For the thermal area, an energy balance is made. This is integrated taking into account the analyses of emissions to the atmosphere to comply with the NOM’s. The combustion systems, loss of heat, etc. are analyzed, calculating the degree of thermal efficiency. With these results, the areas for optimization are recommended. 9. ENVIRONMENTAL DUE DILIGENCE The process of buying or selling industrial plants requires more than ever a careful evaluation of the facilities from an ecological point of view. In case of a lack of environmental control equipment, outdated procedures, inadequate handling of hazardous waste, and noncompliance with pollution control, we assist and advise on the evaluation, quantification, and negotiation. The purpose of this evaluation is to avoid future problems, liabilities, and unexpected expenditures before negotiations are concluded. 10. MEASUREMENT OF POLLUTING AGENTS All environmental evaluation must be sustained with measurements of the polluting agents, carried out accurately and in compliance with engineering specifications of regulatory stipulations. In the case of noise, vibrations, gas discharges, steam, total suspended particles (TSP), industrial NOx, SOx, CO, etc., solid waste, or water discharges, etc., we have the appropriate equipment and long-time experience with a laboratory registered in the Mexican Accreditation Entity (EMA). 11.TERMS AND CONDITIONING MONITORING PROGRAM (PSTC) Environmental clearances are usually subject to strict compliance in a timely manner, to a series Conditions and Terms explicit in the project favorable Resolutions, which if not met, can lead to fines, administrative penalties and even revocation of permits for operation. We have created a monitoring program in which such terms and conditions are loaded for scheduling the action to be implemented over time, to always be in compliance. It has also established the mechanism of "Mirror Files" with the clients, so to have all the relevant documentation up dated in parallel to avoid any possible failure. 12. GOVERNMENTAL CONSULTING AND MANAGEMENT Another line of services we are handling and that has helped save time, resources, and opportunities for those who take it seriously is the Environmental Authorization and Permit service, which helps companies in the presentation, follow-up, and obtaining of permits, licenses, approvals, etc. related with the subject. If this service is required, we offer it at Government Consulting and Management level. The costs are defined after quantifying the assigned time and the complementary expenses. We have more than 10 years of experience and the suitable relationships to do it. In recent years, the Forest and Soil Management General Direction/SEMARNAT, is requiring the formulation and submitting of an Environmental Impact Statement (MIA), and a Justifiable Technical Study (ETJ) for the Forest Land Use Change, provided the implementation of the project -new or expansion, involves the removal of 1,500 m2 or more of natural vegetation. Duly registered forestry technicians are required of which we have in several Mexican states. It has recently been published in most the Mexican states, the Civil Protection Act that requires not only industrial but to all businesses with some kind of predetermined risks, to prepare and to register in the State Civil Protection office, a Contingency Plan, which must meet certain requirements issued by such government offices. Our staff is registered to carry out these plans. 15. SOIL ANALYSIS AND REMEDIATION Finally, we can carry out the meticulous analysis of the pollution level that exists at the site – superficial or subsoil to depth required- identifying if the pollutants are hazardous or not. If necessary, we can go through the remedial action in either of two steps: a) Management and disposal of the hazardous waste and, b) Biologic remediation "in situ" with the most advanced techniques approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of the United States of America.
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2011: Derechos Reservados, SPE es una Marca Registrada | | |