Environmental management plan


Environmental Management Plans are drafted and implemented at the company’s plants and substations by a team of FURNAS' environmental technicians, as well as other areas such as: Civil Engineering; Mechanical Engineering; Materials and Logistics; Occupational Safety and Health; Patrimonial Safety; Production and Maintenance.

The Plans are subdivided into:

  • Preliminary Hazard/Risk Analysis and Environmental Aspects/Impacts (PRAI): identifies and assesses the process for Occupational Health and Safety Hazards/Risks. It also covers environmental Aspects/Impacts linked with activities, products and services arising from normal and emergency situations during the construction, operation and maintenance of the company's facilities.

  • Emergency Response Plan (EAP): provides guidelines and information for structured logical, technical and administrative procedures. It also provides quick and efficient responses in emergencies, in order to contain and/or minimize risks or harm to people, the environment and the company's assets. FURNAS provides training and simulated exercises for the teams involved to ensure the EAP is properly implemented.

  • Effluent Monitoring and Water Quality Plan (EMWQP): sets out procedures aimed at controlling the water quality for human consumption and treatment of sanitary and industrial liquid effluent according to federal, state and municipal legal requirements. The plan includes applied standards and methodologies, parameters analysis, sample collection locations and sampling frequency.

The effluent monitoring analyses are performed at laboratories that meet at least one of the following requirements:

  • IEC/17.025 certification for effluent analyses

  • IEC/17.025 quality management and certification by the state environmental agency to perform effluent analyses.


Waste Management Plan (WMP)
 

Provides criteria, procedures and measures to control waste generated by operations from the day they start operating, including: classification, segregation systems, conditioning, collection, sorting, storage, transshipment, transportation, final disposal of waste (recycling, reuse, recovery and treatment) and final disposal of tailings. All procedures are based on current environmental legislation, ABNT Technical Standards and regulatory requirements. These actions are widely disseminated throughout the company, which provides technical training on the correct waste management at FURNAS.

In accordance with Decree nº 5940/2006, FURNAS has signed a Term of Commitment with Cooperatives and/or Associations of Recyclable Materials Collectors. In the document, the company commits to make its recyclable waste and a share of the metal scrap generated in its plants and substations available.


Waste Management (GRI G4-DMA)
 

Hazardous waste such as used insulating mineral oil, lubricating oil, batteries and tires of various sizes are sent to specialized and accredited companies for correct treatment and disposal.


Joint Waste Collection
 

Since 2008, FURNAS has maintained a Committee for Selective Collection, working to improve reuse and recycling processes. Currently, selective collection is in force at 37 FURNAS units, including offices, hydroelectric plants and substations. The company also hosted a major event on selective collection in Rio de Janeiro: the 1st Federal Bodies Forum (2008); and the International Forum: Network for a Better Future, organized in 2013 by the National Network for Social Mobilization (Coep) and the Center for Community Innovation at the University of Carleton, Canada. The company also sponsored Expo Catadores 2013, in São Paulo.


Environmental Management System (EMS)
 

The EMS evaluates and controls the environmental impacts from the company's operational activities and provides continuous process improvements. The EMS is an effective tool for consolidating FURNAS' Environmental Policy. Among the company's various businesses, the Ibiúna Substation (SP) received two certificates: a national certification from the Bureau Veritas Quality International do Brasil/National Institute of Metrology (Inmetro), and an international certificate from BVQI/Raad Voor Accreditatie (RVA). The same certificate was granted to the Foz do Iguaçu Substation (PR).

The Environmental Engineering Department provides environmental management guidelines, always putting the integrity of people, the environment and the company in first place.