Base environmental programs put to the test

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Raphael Ashe
  • 22nd Civil Engineer Squadron
A 32-person inspection team will be here from Monday to Oct. 20 to inspect McConnell's environmental programs. 

This year's assessment will also focus heavily on occupational health compliance.
The 2006 Environmental and Occupational Health Compliance Assessment and Management Program will evaluate base-wide compliance for both occupational health and environmental laws/regulations compliance. 

EOHCAMP assessors will consist of functional experts from Air Mobility Command, MacDill AFB, Fla., and URS Corporation, an environmental and engineering consulting firm. 

As a way to check compliance status and correct these problems early, the Air Force uses annual assessments for environmental issues.
This year is special, however ... not just because it is an external assessment, which happens every three years, but because this is the first year the assessment team will also look at occupational health. 

The EOHCAMP assessment begins with an in-brief on Monday at 8 a.m. in the Dole Community Center. There will be daily cross-talks at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday through Thursday at the base theater, and the out-brief will be Oct. 20 at 9 a.m. at the Dole Center. These briefings are open to all McConnell personnel. 

The assessment team is led by Col. David Norsworthy, 6th Maintenance Group commander, MacDill AFB, Fla. 

This change in focus is a natural outcome of the increase in hazards base personnel often take for granted in the work environment. 

According to the United States Department of Labor, Occupational Safety & Health Administration website, each year, approximately 6,000 U.S. workers die from workplace injuries while another 50,000 die from illnesses caused by exposure to workplace hazards. 

Combined with the millions of non-fatal injuries and an annual cost to businesses that runs into the tens of billions of dollars, it is easy to see that this assessment reflects the high value the Air Force places on its military and civilian workforce. 

To help industrial areas and shops prepare for the occupational health portion of the EOHCAMP, the base Bioenvironmental Engineer Flight is paying special attention to 12 areas of interest. 

These areas of interest apply to almost every industrial facility and most offices on base and they consist of: 

·Chemical Hazards. Besides the obvious identification, management and exposure prevention of hazardous materials, this protocol looks at training and documentation.
Assessors will verify the operating procedures and training match well with the industrial processes used in the shop. 

·Hazard Communication. It is crucial workers know what can hurt them in the workplace. Assessors will review Material Safety Data Sheets, packaging labels, and training effectiveness. 

·Hearing Conservation. Assessors will verify hazardous noise areas are properly identified, and workers are protected from overexposure to hazardous noise. 

·Ionizing Radiation. Along with the identification and exposure prevention to ionizing radiation, this protocol focuses on the process for bringing radioactive materials onto the base. Assessors will also verify base workers who may be exposed to radiation on the job are enrolled in the thermoluminescent dosimetry monitoring program. 

·Non-ionizing Radiation. Similar to the ionizing radiation protocol. Assessors will apply job safety standards to radiofrequency radiation and lasers. 

·Personal protective equipment. PPE is usually a worker's main defense against hazardous materials released into the work space. Assessors will verify that there is the right type and amount of PPE for each work space, that it is properly cleaned, maintained and stored, and that workers know how to use it. 

·Respiratory Protection Program. Verification that clean air enters people's lungs is critical to their health. This is usually the protocol with the most problem areas.
Assessors want to know the right type and amount of respirators are on hand and that respirators and filters fit on workers' faces. They will also check to make sure workers know how to use, maintain and store this equipment. 

·Ventilation Systems. The BEF routinely evaluates industrial vents to ensure they match the industrial processes in the work space and are operating properly. Assessors will verify their performance continues to abate hazards. 

·Confined Spaces. Assessors will verify the adequacy of the Confined Space Entry Program for normal Air Force operations, facilities and equipment. 

·Heat and Cold Stress. Assessors will verify programs are in place to prevent heat and cold stress during daily operations. 

·Ergonomics. Although there are no OSHA standards associated with this protocol, anyone who types on a keyboard knows how important this can be.
Assessors will focus on work with repetitive motions and other ergonomic risks. 

·Occupational Health Management (Medical Group). This protocol looks at occupational health from a program perspective.
Assessors will verify certain occupational health inspections are completed and the needs of all base workers (including pregnant workers, for example) are met. 

If the Bioenvironmental Engineer Flight has conducted an inspection in your work areas over the previous year, chances are high that a member of the EOHCAMP assessment team will visit. 

One of the best things to prepare for the EOHCAMP is to have documentation available for review. 

This is a high visibility MAJCOM inspection that covers base-wide compliance. The issues the team is inspecting are important as they affect every member of Team McConnell's health and wellness. Therefore, time spent preparing for this inspection is time well spent. 

EOHCAMP is an investment in health and safety for Team McConnell members that will last long after the assessors have returned home. Team McConnell members will be prepared for EOHCAMP 2006 by ensuring everyone in each shop or work area knows exactly where documentation is located and available for review. 

Please direct questions concerning the upcoming EOHCAMP to 2nd Lt. Raphael Ashe at ext. 6499 for environmental issues. 

For occupational health concerns, call Capt. Roger Lee, at ext. 5104 at the Aeromedical-Dental squadron.