Burdens gains ISO14001 status

Following an external audit by SGS United Kingdom Ltd, Burdens Ltd has achieved certification of its systems to ISO14001:2004: Environmental management. The audit embraced nine Burdens sites and head office.

Achieving the required standard took the group two years of hard work. The initial exercise was completed by the Group Environmental Officer David Trevelyan before being rolled out across the whole business. In the process, full commitment was called for from staff at all levels, since ISO14001 influences the way the whole business is run – from strategic planning at the top level, to building in environmental commitment into all aspects of the business and how the branch network operates. Mr Trevelyan has a BSc in Environmental Earth Sciences and is an Associate of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment.

The award of ISO14001 acknowledges that Burdens is managing its impact on the environment effectively  by reducing risks and promoting good environmental practice. Alongside the commitment to the environment, the group has set specific targets in waste management, sustainable development and carbon management, all of which will be achieved by setting targets and measuring and reporting business performance.

The role of the environment is wide-ranging and ultimately influences all areas of the business. The Group Environmental Officer therefore has to be prepared to be involved in an equally wide-ranging range of activities. The key objective is to make environmental issues ‘business as usual’, with guidance and support to encourage all members of staff to be part of the longer term strategy.

It is a credit to the business how well key staff have adapted to the environmental message and the feedback on achievements and aims is growing. Of course, changing a business ethos is hard work for all involved but success lies in championing the cause and identifying and using environmental champions throughout the business.

Following the accreditation, David Trevelyan said “Achieving ISO14001 is a huge success for Burdens and demonstrates its commitment to the environment and meeting the needs of its customers. Without a doubt, the environmental and wider sustainable agenda is the biggest change in the construction industry for at least a generation. It is good to be part of a business that has recognised this evolving and exciting transition and I look forward to Burdens making huge achievements well into the future.”