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Show r NEWS June 21, 1991 Hilltop Times 3 Base completes environmental inspection by Oavid W. Harris and tive in nature, cover occasional other minor violations. Mr. Oshita said most problems occur not because of worker negligence, but because many of the workers are not aware of the procedures or regulations. The team's job is to provide guidance to management so that the workers become more aware of the regulations. Teams establish a dialogue with the workers. Sometimes by talking to workers, they are able to locate problems not readily apparent to inspectors. For example, during one of the inspections, workers complained of poor ventilation in the building. A further examination of the ventilation system showed clogged filters and other problems not originally seen by inspectors, Mr. Oshita said. "The teams try to determine the root of the problem. By treating the cause instead of the symptoms, we can avoid future problems." Mr. Oshita non-complian- Environmental Management Directorate The Hill AFB Environmental Management Directorate completed the base's annual environmental compliance inspections this week and according to directorate officials, things are looking pretty good. The inspections were part of the environmental compliance and management program known as ECAMP, a systematic review of compliance status, including its processes, permits, operating proce- 66 The teams try to determine the root of the problem. By treating the cause instead of the symptoms, we can avoid future problems. dures and past and present disposal practices. During the past three weeks, teams of workers 99 from several directorates, supervised by EM, visited Bruct Oihita nearly 150 separate operations across the base to Hid AFB ECAMP coordinator evaluate compliance to federal, state and Air Force regulations. "Generally speaking, the base looks pretty good," we're coming, Mr. Oshita said. "We're not out to said Bruce Oshita, the base's ECAMP coordinator. trick them or surprise them. We want them to know "However, there is always room for improvement." we're coming." Once a team completes an inspection, the team According to Mr. Oshita, improvement is the primary goal of the inspection. Inspectors' prelimi- members discuss their findings with the plant nary findings suggest the need for improvement in manager and the workers. four areas: ECAMP inspection teams visited the operations Hazardous waste management. and looked for problems. "Once a problem is spotHazardous materials storage. ted, the teams will record it as a preliminary findEl Petroleum, oil, lubricants and underground ing," Mr. Oshita said. storage tanks. Preliminary findings, however, do not necessariAir quality. ly appear on the final report. Organizations may reMr. Oshita said he expects air quality to present move findings from the record by making the the greatest challenge because of new, more restric- necessary repairs or changes. tive laws put into effect this year. Two weeks following the inspection, a preliminary "We want to help our organizations bring their report is sent to the organizations requesting a plan operations into compliance with the regulations. of action to clear the preliminary findings. All findWe're not out looking to criticize operations or ings not cleared within 30 days of the preliminary evaluate someone's job performance, but rather to report will be included on the final report. show them where they may be out of compliance and In the final report, three types of findings are notwhat they need to do to meet the standards," Mr. ed. Significant findings, the most severe, require immediate action and pose a threat to the environment, Oshita said. The inspections were coordinated one to two or to human health. Major findings may pose a fumonths in advance so the impact to base operations ture threat and could result in a notice of violation is minimized and so the organizations know when from the state. Minor findings, usually administra All You said In addition to protecting the environment, the inspections serve to keep the base out of trouble with federal and state regulators. "Being out of compliance is not good for the base," Mr. Oshita said. "First of all, fines cost money sometimes as much as $10,000 a day. Secondly, violations appear on the installation's record and on the records of responsible individuals. By finding and fixing any problems, we can ensure the state that we are in compliance environmentally." Mr. Oshita said he would like to see the inspections more frequently than they are currently held. He said that by having more frequent inspections, base organizations will be more aware of environmental regulations and become more environmentally conscious. Next year's ECAMP inspections will be performed by workers from other air logistics centers in what is known as an external ECAMP inspection. External inspections occur every three years and help to lend a more objective view to the ECAMP process, Mr. Oshita said. Can Eat (DDGuini Introducing E(fil(IM (LIfll(0)n(B Different Menus Every Day of the Week! Shrimp Scampi Salisbury Steak Baked Fish Fried Shrimp & Clams Chicken & Dumplings Sliced Ham & Turkey Blueberry Muffins Shrimp Creole Taco's Chimichangas Two Hot Desserts Fresh Fruit & Melon Onion Rings Chicken Wings ...and much, much more Great Taste, Great Prices, Great Value only at ?Sfl2l STikTEii LEJIIHIFiEL |
