Team to evaluate base ESOHCAMP initiatives

  • Published
  • By Patti Kumazawa
  • Environmental Management
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  A team of on-base experts will start a review May 19 of the Edwards Environmental, Safety and Occupational Health Compliance Assessment and Management Program. 

This internal review checks practices of organizations across the base to ensure they function efficiently and follow federal, state, local and Department of Defense regulations and guidance. 

The 29-member team includes people from Environmental Management, Air Force Flight Test Center Safety and Occupational Health. 

"The team will be looking at the responsibilities of every office, every shop and every organization," said Herb Roraback, environmental quality division chief. "We are confident they will find everything in order." 

It's important that routine matters such as updating hazardous communications folders and databases, material safety data sheets and hazardous waste notebooks get attention before their visit, Mr. Roraback said. 

During the evaluation, the team will travel to work areas across the base to evaluate compliance status and obtain feedback from those responsible for managing environmental, safety and occupational health programs. 

The team will conclude its assessment on May 23, and an out-brief will be given at the Environmental, Safety and Occupational Health Board meeting in June. The team's findings will be included in a report describing best management practices and deficiencies that need to be corrected before they result in violations or enforcement actions by regulatory agencies. 

The primary objectives of ESOHCAMP are to improve Air Force environmental management, safety and occupational health programs worldwide and help build future budgets to meet requirements. Both internal and external evaluations are performed to measure success in reaching these aims. 

External inspections usually take place every three years. The last one here occurred in June 2006. Next year, a team from Air Force Materiel Command will evaluate Edwards again. The base performs internal evaluations during the out years. 

The evaluations cover protocols in air quality, cultural and natural resources, hazardous materials, hazardous waste, water quality, air quality, solid waste, tanks and pollution prevention. 

For information about the coming ESOHCAMP, call Environmental Management at 277-1401.