Immission control
Immission control comprises the protection of humans, animals, plants, soils, waters, the atmosphere as well as important cultural goods from harmful environmental effects (air pollution, noise, vibrations, light, radiation, …).
When operating plants that are subject to approval, it is necessary to protect the workforce from dangers or considerable disadvantages and disturbances emanating from these plants. Another task of immission control is to prevent harmful environmental effects. In traffic projects, for example, noise transmission and detrimental effects must be analysed during the planning.
Immission control officer
The person in charge of immission control (immission control officer) provides advice on all these issues. They monitor compliance with legal provisions, develop proposals regarding the prevention of immissions, inform and train the members of staff and provide annual reports to the management about the actions taken or intended to be taken.
- Fundamental tasks of the immission control officer:
- advising operators and workforce on the topic of immission control,
- supporting the development and implementation of environmentally friendly procedures and products,
- accompanying and assessing processes and products in terms of environmental friendliness,
- monitoring compliance with legal provisions,
- monitoring adherence to imposed requirements for plant approvals
- regular audits of the production sites as well as measuring emissions and immissions,
- helping inform the workforce about harmful environmental effects of plants as well as about measures that can prevent them,
- issuing of annual reports and, if necessary, of emission statements.
Incident officer
The 5th immission control directive (5. BImSchV) regulates the appointment of incident officers. The officers advise the management on important issues concerning plant safety. The aim of these activities is to identify in advance potential threats that could result to an incident. It is with this proactive approach that incidents can be minimised or avoided completely.
- Fundamental tasks of the incident officer:
- working towards improvements in plant safety,
- participating in the preparation of safety reports as well as alert and danger prevention schemes,
- monitoring compliance with legal provisions and stipulations,
- regularly checking production sites and keeping records about these checks,
- issuing of annual reports about their activities.