Check controls

You should have systems in place to check whether your controls are working as planned and are still effective. Refer to our guidance on:

• risk management
• Preparing a risk management and monitoring program.

Specific climate-related control checks and maintenance actions include:

• regular review of your risk assessment including:
  • when new knowledge about climate change impacts and climate projections is available.
  • incorporate any analysis and lessons learned from extreme weather events (and near-misses). This includes those from similar businesses
  • when you receive information from:
    • employees
    • stakeholders, including EPA
    • insurance providers
    • emergency services representatives
• check whether any equipment or infrastructure is particularly vulnerable to climate hazards
• check effectiveness of controls during operation
• track progress on any adaptation actions
• track management of triggers
• analyse data/insights from pollution incidents, inspections, testing and maintenance activities.

Checks on equipment and controls should consider the changing climate.

• Check controls are still working before and after extreme weather events.
• Increase maintenance following events.
• Perform regular preventative maintenance checks. Extreme heat can cause equipment to wear out faster.