We all need clean and safe water. Yet pollution from industry, household waste and agriculture have left up to 60% of waterways across the UK and Europe failing to meet basic safe levels on pollution and ecological sustainability, claims the State of our Waters report. Human health, planet health and ecosystems depend on clean water, so it’s essential that the pollution of waterways be managed and reduced as proactively as possible.

As a result, a series of EU and UK legislation has been developed to combat water pollution. For any UK business operating in this field, compliance with this legislation is a legal necessity. Professional staff training in the necessary legislation is important for two reasons: it will help ensure your operations are safe and legal, while also reducing the environmental and polluting impact of your business through knowledge of the correct prevention and clean up of any spills.

Legislation knowledge and compliance is vital for managing and reducing waterway pollution

The impact of waterway pollution can’t be overemphasised. Water pollution impacts vital biodiversity, ecosystem development and human health. Across the globe, pollution from chemical dyes, sewage and agricultural pesticides have had devastating and often irreversible consequences. Chemicals such as sulfur can damage marine populations, while asbestos and benzene can increase cancer risks. Industrial water pollution is difficult to contain, but it’s not impossible; as long as strict pollution laws and controls and are enforced.

The severity of this impact for future health and environmental well-being have lead to the development of industry legislation, including The EU’s Water Framework Directive. It’s EU and UK law that all businesses adhere to this strict environmental legislation. As a result, your employees need to be well-trained with up-to-date policy and procedure knowledge. This includes correct chemical handling procedures, spill clean up and appropriate responses to incidents. If not, your employees and business could end up breaking the law; putting the environment and your business at risk.

Reduce your organisational risk with relevant pollution legislation training 

Training your employees in legislation compliance is hugely important for reducing pollution of our waterways. Employees who are trained in environmental legislation will know the steps to take to reduce potential hazardous accidents or spills. They’ll also know how to act immediately and properly to reduce the impact with the correct clean-up and response if anything does go wrong.

But employee training is also vital for your business too, reducing any organisational risk to accidents and environmental impact. Good training programmes will mean you’ll have the confidence that your business and employees won’t be breaking the law, allowing you to continue and develop your operations effectively. You’ll also create a knowledgeable and motivated workforce, keen to develop a continuing culture of best practice with your team- all valuable business outcomes.

A workforce untrained in environmental legislation and pollution management is not a risk your business or the environment should take.

What great industry staff training looks like

So we’ve established that legislation training is vital, but what exactly does an effective training programme look like? Great training ensures your employees remain engaged and absorbed with relevant examples, actively developing knowledge to benefit your business. Environmental policy law is complicated, but thorough training programmes led by industry professionals will give your employees the confidence to understand and implement these policies in their work.

Good legislation training is vital for your organisation. The environment and your business depend on it.