6/23/08: Question and answer of the week
PFMEA and environmental aspects
How should we integrate Environmental aspect into PFMEA (Process Failure Mode and Effect Analysis)?
For each step in the PFMEA, besides the quality related failure modes, consider the impact the step might have on the environment -- that is to say, how the step could change something in air, water, or land.
- Could there be a leak?
- Could there be an air emission?
- Could there be a release of a chemical or other harmful substance?
- Could there be an undesirable noise, or odor, or escape of a substance into drains or other channels to water?
If so, and if such potential occurrences could a) violate law/regulation, and/or b) cause pollution to air, water, or land, prescribe controls to either a) prevent the occurrence, or b) mitigate/control it if it does occur.
In the latter event such would have to flow back into your assessment of environmental interactions/impacts, if not there already. But only if you're operating under an ISO 14001 system.
6/23/08: Feature of the week
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