This handbook puts the environmental rules for everyday work in plain language, covering waste, oil storage, spills, wildlife, water and energy, so everyone knows what is expected.

Effective Staff Handbooks

This staff handbook is supplied in fully editable MS Word format and can be easily customised and edited. The document uses pre-defined style formatting throughout, with all text in Calibri font for improved readability.
The following document labelling is included in the footer:

• Handbook number and title
• Information-classification
• Version
• Page number / total pages

alphaZ documents - beautifully designed, tried and tested staff handbooks. No junk, jargon or unnecessary content. Simple and usable staff handbooks developed over 25 years through practical use in the real world.

Further Reading

Further guidance on environmental awareness:

• Waste Management and Duty of Care
• Environmental Spills: Prevention and Response
• ISO 14001 Clause 7.3 - Awareness
• Environmental Management knowledge base

Logo Update Service

Download this handbook with your company name and logo already added!
Document Preparation is included with the alphaZ subscription.

How to Download

These files are included in the alphaZ subscription. This handbook is also included in the ISO 14001 Toolkit and the integrated toolkits that include it, so the toolkit route gives you these files plus everything else you need in one download.

Need Help Implementing?

If you'd like hands-on help putting your environmental arrangements in place, our remote support services provide direct expert input from our team, by the day, by project, or on an ongoing basis.

Environmental Staff Handbook Template

The Environmental Staff Handbook is a Word template that gives everyone who works for you, or on your behalf, the environmental guidance they need for their work. It is written in plain language with short lists of what to do, covering waste, oil and chemical storage, spills, hazardous substances, wildlife and invasive plants, working near water, noise and nuisance, driving and the office.

It supports environmental awareness under ISO 14001 and refers to the IMS1 manual for climate-related risks and for how environmental incidents are dealt with.

Two Versions in One Download

The same handbook at A4 and A5 page sizes.

• ENV1-1 A4 - the handbook at standard A4 page size
• ENV1-1 A5 - the same handbook at A5 page size, a smaller format to print and hand out

What's Included in this Handbook

• About this Handbook - who it is for, including contractors and agency workers, and where the supporting policies are held
• Key Contacts - a table for the Environmental Representative and IMS Lead
• Environment - the company's environmental commitment and objectives, with an ISO 14001 reference you can delete
• Your Responsibilities - following the guidance, reporting incidents and putting forward ideas
• Climate Change and Energy - how the work affects, and is affected by, the climate
• Waste and Wastes to Keep Separate - do and do not lists, and the wastes that must never go in general bins or skips
• Oil and Chemical Storage and Spill Response - bunded storage, drip trays, refuelling, spill kits and what to do if there is a spill
• Hazardous Substances - following the assessment, safety data sheet and label
• Protecting Wildlife and Habitats and Invasive Plants - nesting birds, protected species and trees, protected sites, and invasive plants such as Japanese knotweed
• Working On or Near Water - silt controls, storage, excavation and consents
• Noise, Nuisance and Complaints - being a considerate neighbour and dealing with complaints from the public
• Fuel-Efficient Driving - planning journeys and driving habits that save fuel
• In the Office - energy, printing, purchasing and recycling

Built for ISO 14001 Awareness

• Tells staff about the environmental commitment and objectives and how they can help
• Sets out the do and do not rules for waste, storage and spills in one place
• Gives clear reporting routes for incidents, spills and complaints
• Includes placeholders for key contacts to complete for your company

Who Needs an Environmental Staff Handbook?

Any business whose staff or contractors handle waste, oils or chemicals, work on sites, drive for work or work in an office. It suits small and medium-sized businesses with an ISO 14001 or integrated management system that want a short handbook to give out at induction and refer back to.

Included in the ISO 14001 Toolkit

This handbook is part of the ISO 14001 Toolkit and the integrated toolkits that include it.

Using the Handbook

Add your key contacts, delete anything that does not apply, and issue the handbook at induction. Record that each person has received it with F-Q4 Staff Induction Record, and use toolbox talks such as TT-6-01 Environmental Management to go over the main points.

Related Guidance

GG-6-03 Storing Oils and Chemicals and GG-6-05 Spill Procedure go into more depth on storing oils and chemicals and dealing with spills. The same environmental content is also part of GEN1-1 General Staff Handbook, for businesses that prefer a single handbook.