BUSINESSES

Fabricated Metal Manufacturing - Significance Evaluation

The next step is to evaluate the significance level of each activity and aspect. It is important to identify the significance of the different aspects with both qualitative and quantitative criteria. Here is an example of possible criteria for each:

Qualitative Significance Evaluation - The impact is significant, in this example, if one of the following is true:

• the substance can be recovered for reuse and the quantity used is greater than 500 lbs./yr;
• the aspect uses substantial quantities of energy and/or water;
• the aspect is or requires use of a nonrenewable, endangered or otherwise critical resource;
• quantities of the aspect maintained on-site contain more than the reportable quantity of an EPCRA* extremely hazardous substance or a CERCLA** hazardous substance;
• once used, the aspect becomes a listed waste;
• the aspect is a threat to personnel and property due to its characteristics (flammability, explosion potential, toxicity, etc.).

Quantitative Significance Evaluation - (An impact is significant, in this example, if the magnitude/severity is greater than or equal to 3 and the frequency is greater than or equal to 2 or the magnitude/severity times the frequency is greater than or equal to 5).

• Magnitude/Severity
  0 – No known environmental impact
  1 – Nuisance impacts
  2 – Minor impacts to the environment
  3 – Reversible impacts not requiring intervention
  4 – Reversible impact requiring intervention
  5 – Irreversible impact to the ecosystem
• Frequency
  0 – No quantifiable expectation/potential
  1 – Potential is less than once every 10 years
  2 – Potential is about once a year
  3 – Impacts occur periodically, but predictably
  4 – Impacts occur on occasion without warning
  5 – Impacts occur continuously

Fabricated Metal Products Manufacturing Significance Evaluation Spreadsheet

These charts are meant to be a living document. Please e-mail Beth Graves with comments, corrections, updates and additions.

* Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA)
Sections 301-303 » Emergency Planning
Section 304 » Emergency Release Notification
Sections 311-312 » Community Right to Know Reporting Requirements
Section 313 » Toxic Chemical Release Inventory Reporting

** Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) (commonly known as “Superfund”)
spills associated with processes