Environmental Management Systems Awareness Training January 24 2008

Environmental Management Systems Awareness Training January 24, 2008 Mr. Earl Griffin Safety, Health and Env. Manager Ms. Beth Anderson Environmental Protection Specialist South Atlantic Area Dr. Darrell Cole Area Director South Atlantic Area Dr. Karl Narang Associate Area Director South Atlantic Area Mr. Joon Park Deputy Area Director South Atlantic Area

Objectives South Atlantic Area • Understanding of Executive Order (EO) 13423. • Able to explain what an EMS is and its benefits. • Why an EMS is important to what you do. 2

“Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management” • • South Atlantic Area Executive Order 13423 was signed by President Bush on January 26, 2007. Consolidated five previous executive orders and two Memoranda of Understanding into one order, 85 pages down to 7 plus instructions. Provides a holistic approach to integrating energy, environment and human health considerations into mission implementation. Updated and set more aggressive goals for – – – – energy efficiency renewable energy water conservation pollution prevention/recycling high performance buildings fleet management and electronics stewardship. 3

What is an Environmental Management System (EMS)? South Atlantic Area • An EMS is: – A set of procedures to reduce our environmental footprint in our day-to-day activities. – An overall management system which includes organizational structure, planning activities, responsibilities, procedures, resources and people to help address environmental issues. – Important EMS elements include continual improvement, management commitment, formalization, and awareness of a systems based approach. 4

Purpose of an EMS? South Atlantic Area An EMS brings together the people, policies, plans and procedures used to manage environmental issues at a facility 5

Benefits of an EMS South Atlantic Area • • • Reduce operating costs Integrate environmental programs Increase employee involvement Reduce environmental impacts Helps maintain compliance 6

EMS Components South Atlantic Area • • • Environmental Policy Planning Implementation and Operation Checking and Corrective Action Management Review 7

EMS Components South Atlantic Area 8

Plan, Do, Check, Act South Atlantic Area • Planning, identifying environmental aspects and establishing goals • Do Implementing, includes training and operational controls • Checking, includes monitoring and corrective action • Act Reviewing, includes progress reviews and acting to make needed changes 9

Environmental Policy South Atlantic Area • EMS Committee is required to develop and maintain an EMS policy statement that includes: – Continual improvement – Pollution prevention – Environmental compliance • Environmental Policy is: – – Signed by Location Senior Management Official Communicated to location personnel and the public Reviewed annually and updated as necessary Framework for setting environmental goals, objectives, and targets 10

Planning South Atlantic Area • EMS Committee responsible for: – Identifying aspects and impacts from location's activities, products and services – Set objectives and targets – Specific statements of measurable results that are to be accomplished within a specific time period (plan of action with milestones) • Significant environmental impacts associated with the facility and research-related operations • Regulatory issues • Pollution prevention and conservation initiatives 11

Implementation and Operation South Atlantic Area • Location EMS Committee shall: – Define roles and responsibilities to carry out annual goals and objectives – Implement EMS training – Develop internal and external communication – Documentation control • Policy, objectives and targets • Legible and retrievable • Maintained for a minimum of 30 years – Establish operational controls • Standard Operating Procedures – Emergency Preparedness and Response • Business Recovery Plans for Fire, Chemical Spills, etc. 12

Checking and Corrective Action South Atlantic Area • Conduct periodic monitoring of environmental performance – EMS committee conducts meetings at least quarterly – Document accomplishments and progress of annual goals • Identify root causes of findings and conduct corrective and preventive actions • Maintain environmental records 13

Management Review South Atlantic Area • Senior management review of EMS – At least annually, recommend 2 to 3 times per year – EMS Coordinator reviews the following with senior management • Significant environmental aspects • Progress towards achievement of objectives and targets • Corrective and preventative actions – Senior Management • Acknowledges EMS accomplishments • Champions EMS • Certifies Progress 14

So what is my EMS role and responsibility? South Atlantic Area • You are responsible for knowing: – Understand basic EMS principles – Know what the environmental policy is or at least where to find it – Know what the aspects, objectives/targets are of the location – How your job impacts the environment – How to minimize or eliminate negative impacts – Legal and other requirements of your job 15

Examples of Aspects and Impacts South Atlantic Area • Aspect: Office use of electronic equipment – Impact: Generation of recyclable waste (paper, batteries, toner cartridges) • Aspect: Use of solvents, oil, fluorescent lamps – Impact: Land contamination (landfill) • Aspect: Air emissions from buildings – Impact: Air pollution • Aspect: Motor vehicle operations (oil, antifreeze, tires, batteries) – Impact: Hazardous waste generation and air pollution • Aspect: Custodial Operations (cleaning products, paper, water) – Impact: Depletion of natural resources and solid waste 16

EMS Review The Basics South Atlantic Area 17

So what is my EMS role and responsibility? South Atlantic Area • Participate in the EMS – Let EMS Coordinator/Committee know of: • Energy conservation efforts (efficient lighting upgrades, low flow toilets, etc) • Less harmful chemicals being substituted • Any activity that reduces the location’s environmental footprint • WHY? – Maintains an effective EMS – Communication (reporting, awards, etc) 18

Summary South Atlantic Area • An EMS is the combination of people, policies, procedures, review, and plans to help address environmental issues. • Can you answer these questions? – What is EO 13423? – What is an EMS? – What is your EMS role and responsibility? 19

Location Specific Information South Atlantic Area • ARS Tifton IS a recycling facility. • We recycle our…. – – – – Office Products Plastics Glassware Steel, Tin, or Aluminum cans All Batteries Electronic Equipment Cardboard 20

Location Specific Information South Atlantic Area Universal waste regulations streamline collection requirements for certain hazardous wastes into the following categories: * Batteries - Lead acid but we collect ALL types * Pesticides - Collect then dispose of through Georgia Clean Day * Mercury - Containing thermostats/thermometers * Lamps - All except tungsten (i. e. halogen, neon, fluorescent) 21

Location Specific Information South Atlantic Area e-CYCLE: RECYCLE ELECTRONICS Items that can be e-cycled: Computers, hard-drives, keyboards, printers, televisions, VCR/DVD players, cell phones, telephones, radios, pagers, digital equipment, scanners, copiers, scientific equipment, and much, much more……. • DO: Save old, broken, or unused electronic equipment for recycling! • DON’T: Throw any electronic equipment in the dumpster! 22

Location Specific Information South Atlantic Area WHO DO I CALL? • For information about hazardous waste, universal waste, or e-cycling (electronic equipment), contact: – Tom Hendricks, Collateral Duty Safety Officer, (229) 387 -2392. • For information about general recycling procedures, water/energy conservation or other EMS policies please contact: – Tamara Snipes, Collateral Duty EMS Coordinator, (229) 387 -2344. – Any member of the EMS Committee. 23

Questions? South Atlantic Area Beth Anderson Environmental Protection Specialist South Atlantic Area 706 -546 -3613 Beth. Anderson@ars. usda. gov 24