Duncan Foster then moved to a much larger workshop in Blacktown in 1982 and in 1994 opened its doors to a second branch in Moorebank.
Now, with a team of highly qualified staff, Duncan Foster is able to service a much greater area. With, of course, the environment in mind! “Our workers here take pride in the place that they work and in what they do,” says Craig Foster, Managing Director of Duncan Foster Engineering. “We all like to work in a clean environment striving to be better than what’s required. I feel something like this gives us all some sort of incentive and recognition for the efforts made.”
The business recently made inquiries to MTA about receiving a free and confidential Envirocheck from the Green Stamp Plus program. It was during the Envirocheck (which takes around 30 minutes and is free to all MTA Members in NSW and the ACT) that Craig Foster showcased his highly organised workshop and was more than happy to take on any recommendations to improve.
Duncan Foster Engineering is currently following these SIMPLE initiatives to ensure a cleaner and safer working environment:
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The business ensures all staff members receive training and are made aware of their environmental responsibilities upon induction and when new processes are introduced. |
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The workshop uses skylights to minimise the amount of artificial lighting. This can be a relatively inexpensive way of saving energy and money on lighting. |
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Compressors equipment and computers are all turned off afterhours. |
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Contaminants (such as oils, solvents, caustics and cleaning chemicals) are stored on a sealed ground on a bunded undercover area. It is important to keep these contaminants away from the external openings of the workshop. |
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The workshop floor is sweep and vacuumed only. This reduces problems associated with treating wastewater prior to disposal. |
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Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are held onsite for all chemicals used. In Duncan Foster’s case, this happens to be in the office in a dedicated cupboard – all staff are aware of where to locate them in case of an emergency. |
The business runs and maintains a large oil separator to manage wastewater prior to an approved disposal. Much more than just a oil separator (it can actually be considered a ‘liquid waste treatment plant’), it essentially adjusts the PH level of the wastewater and separates the oil and the solids, and drops the contaminant output levels well below the water board parameters in all areas of contaminant testing.
These tests are done at the expense of Duncan Foster Engineering and samples are tested at an independent laboratory. The results are forwarded to the water board and to Duncan Foster Engineering so they can keep for their records. The water board inspectors take regular samples of their own to be tested in accordance to the trade waste agreement.
