Services

Our motto: Performance relies 80% on Management and 20% on Technology

With almost 12 years as an odour expert at the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation of Western Australia (DWER WA), Philippe has a clear understanding of what is needed for works approval and license amendment when assessing the risk related to odour and air quality impact. Philippe co-authored the DWER Guideline: Odour Emissions and will be able to advise you on the best tools to support your application and provide the information to the Department’s standard according to the Industry Regulation Guide to Licensing.

However- Philippe is also of the view that empowering operational staff and decision makers (industry, local and state government, property development) when it comes to sources of odour emissions and the risk of their impact is a cornerstone for proactive management and mitigation solutions. Philippe can organise briefings with operators and decision makers, and he will answer any queries you may have along each stage of the process and guide you throughout proceedings.

Phillippe prides himself that his key point of difference is in mentoring his clients during and after contracted work. He always guarantees a follow-up service to ensure that the strategies and solutions provided have been effective, and that you feel empowered to continue delivering the best service possible.

With extensive international experience, OPAM Consulting has the confidence and expertise required to deliver exemplary services worldwide.

We will provide environmental expert consultancy in:

Our assurance: all services above are performed with rigour and professionalism, should we need to act as expert witness.

When required, we have the support of external experts in:

Our clients are:

Odour and Air Quality Assessment at the source (monitoring, investigation) and in the ambient (amenity assessment)

Odour is a complex mixture of several odorous chemical compounds. When conducting Odour and Air Quality Assessments, the odour is measured by panellists (human noses) who have been selected and trained. Assessments can be performed in a laboratory (on collected samples) and in the receiving environment (direct measurement of the atmosphere). These results can be used to measure the level of odour annoyance and nuisance in the community. OPAM Consulting has an extensive experience in both approaches.

Samples are collected at the source of the emission. Odour is measured following the Australian standard AS/NZS 4323.3:2001. If necessary, chemical compounds may be characterised and quantified using specific referenced methods and odour modelling performed to complete findings. Field assessments in the vicinity of the odour emission source are performed following recommendations of the European standard EN 16841 and are completed by the measurement of the odour intensity and odour character. OPAM Consulting has 20 years of experience in source and ambient odour assessment in France and Australia. We will be able to tailor the assessment by selecting the most suitable tools that, through experience, we know will deliver the outcomes that best serve your purpose.

Regulatory approvals and licensing – risk assessment

From his role as the main advisor to the Minister of Environment in France for policies and regulatory conditions related to odour and air emissions, to his achievements over the last 12 years at the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation of Western Australia (DWER WA), Philippe has proven experience ensuring he will guide you to deliver the information at the standard expected by the regulator for any works approval or licence/permit amendment or renewal.

OPAM Consulting will be able to commensurate the level of assessment required with the risk of impact of your operation. This means that the tools that will provide the best outcome to support your application will be implemented. OPAM Consulting will discuss available options with you and provide a clear breakdown of the advantages and limitations, in order for you to be confident in making an informed decision. OPAM Consulting will be on your side when discussing options with any regulators; we will ensure that all parties are in agreement about the level of information expected.

Based on the information you provide, the regulator needs to make a decision about the risk of your operation from an impact point of view. OPAM Consulting will design, implement and report on the assessment for the purpose of your application. If required, we will suggest alternative solutions and controls that will decrease the risk to an accepted level. We will be able to review your licence conditions, verify that the proposed conditions are understood and that they are achievable and commensurate to your operation.

When engaging our services, we will be on your side at scoping or review meetings with required stakeholders. We also guarantee a follow-up to verify that the stated performance is achieved for you and for the regulator; primarily however, we must ensure as a priority that stated performance is achieved for the community and the environment.

Process audit and optimisation

OPAM Consulting can undertake an audit of your operation (technical and managerial) to identify areas of improvements in regard to emissions and production that may impact on your essential utilities, raw material, operational management and more.

This audit can be performed following the identification of deficiencies in your process or management by either yourself or the regulator that would have resulted in emissions higher than expected or in unacceptable impacts for the community. Over the years in his various roles, Philippe has noted that often simple solutions can solve big issues from a process and emission point of view. Our motto “Performance relies 80% on Management and 20% on Technology” has been verified time and time again while auditing operations. Our process engineering background allow us to suggest solutions and modifications for your best interest. We are supported by several experts in various areas to guarantee you the best outcomes for your operation.

Community engagement

Community is the main stakeholder of any industry. Industrial operations and management should be driven, from an emissions point of view, with consideration of the community in the vicinity. It should be acknowledged by all that zero emission does not exist, as is the case with zero impact. However, the role of any operator is to work on achievable strategies to mitigate his emissions which will tend to limit impact in the ambient.

OPAM Consulting will work with you by engaging with your community as soon as possible to explain and provide insights about your project. That will particularly be the case for any new project or changes to your existing operation. This should be a long-term process and OPAM Consulting can provide insights and recommended actions for maintaining this ongoing engagement for all parties.

Community may also be engaged through questionnaires and feedback logs regarding specific times during which they were or are exposed to odour impacts. Philippe has managed four major programs in France and Australia with community pools of 40-100 volunteers over several months. If you feel this service may meet your needs, his experience will assist in generating additional beneficial outcomes for your operation.

Odour and air quality management plans

Philippe has been drafting environmental management plans for various industries for almost two decades. With our motto, we definitely emphasise this phase of management and will use all our expertise and knowledge, and the latest available techniques and procedures that are simple, affordable, easy to implement, but above all that are tailored specifically for your operation.

High Performance: 80% Management – 20% Technology.

The best available technology is not a safeguard for limited emissions and impacts. If this technology or process is excessively relied upon, with a poor understanding of the capabilities and limitations, no trend analysis, and/or is poorly maintained, the expected outcome for all parties (industry, community, regulator) is unlikely to be satisfactory.

OPAM Consulting will draft with you, a simple but effective environmental management plan which clearly outlines step-by-step recommended actions to be implemented by trained personnel that will manage any situations where there is a risk of higher emissions. Because OPAM Consulting is convinced that awareness drives accountability, we will train your personnel in their various roles by making them aware of the risks in their area and will ensure they have access to tools and actions that will ensure their ability to positively act to reduce any risk.

Guideline, policy and standard

Philippe has been working for the last 20 years with and for regulatory bodies in France and in Australia. With this dual perspective on operational and regulation issues and the feasibility of solutions, OPAM Consulting can advise both proponents and regulators about the most suitable sets of tools, assessment and management strategies as well as guideline and policy development. We are always aiming for a win-win solution, and make it a priority to work collaboratively.

For the best interest of the community, OPAM Consulting will work with you in developing recommendations in regulatory guidelines through suggestions that will fulfil the regulatory framework these guidelines are attached to and that will be applicable at corporate and operational levels. Through his international network, Philippe has regular insights about development or revision of new standards, policies and guidelines among the leading zones (Australia, Europe and North America), as well as emerging areas (South America and Asia-Pacific), in regard to odour regulation, assessment and management. OPAM Consulting can provide support to both industries and regulators internationally.

Training (operational, regulatory, workshop and seminars)

At OPAM Consulting, we believe that sharing is learning. Because knowledge empowers everybody who may benefit from it, OPAM Consulting is dedicated to providing training through workshops or seminars in several areas, from odour generalities to health, planning, or residential development, or for process or management purposes. Philippe has delivered tailored programs for environmental health officers from several local councils and State Departments in Perth WA, and he can provide the same to your organisation.

OPAM Consulting will train or provide tailored information to:

decision-makers
industry managers and operators
regulators (federal, state and local government)
planners and residential developers
corporate associations
community
universities (lecturer, guest speaker)

Please contact us to discuss your requirements; we will work with you to identify together the most suitable structure and content for your purpose.

Peer-reviewing

With 20 years of experience in odour and air quality, OPAM Consulting can act as a third-party peer reviewer of reports, odour assessment and management documents, or environmental compliance audits.

Our odour and air quality expertise that combines an understanding of industry and regulatory environment will “expert-proof” your documentation at the level of works approval, development approval, compliance reporting or technical statement.

Witness expertise

Philippe has acted as an Expert Witness in several court cases in France and in Australia (Criminal Court and State Administrative Tribunal). He will engage his professional ethic in delivering the relevant advice to support your case.

Identify your problems, but give your power and energy to solutions.

Tony Robbins