ESOHCAMP to be held July 14

Published July 2, 2008
341st Civil Engineer Squadron

MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- The 2008 environmental, safety and occupational health compliance assessment management program, or ESOHCAMP, assessment is scheduled for July 14 to 18.

This year's assessment will be conducted by a team of Headquarters, Air Force Space Command, and contractor subject matter experts. The team will visit the base and missile complex in an effort to identify environmental, safety and occupational health practices that could jeopardize human health or the environment or subject the installation to regulatory enforcement actions.

The team will provide the base with a report listing their findings along with suggested corrective actions.

Proper preparation for an ESOHCAMP assessment will reduce the number of write-ups a shop may receive. Many common discrepancies can be avoided by applying the following practices to your shop:
· Keep dumpster lids closed.
· Ensure hazardous waste and recyclables are not placed in dumpsters.
· Manage empty aerosol cans as hazardous waste.
· Manage spent fluorescent light bulbs as universal waste.
· Manage spent nickel cadmium and mercury batteries as universal waste.
· Ensure containment systems at grease dumpster storage tanks are clean and dry - have contractor pump any liquid with visible oil/grease.
· Ensure oil/water separators are functioning properly.
· Ensure a current Material Safety Data Sheet from the specific manufacturer is on site for all hazardous materials.
· Ensure all hazardous material containers have barcodes.
· Maintain high level of housekeeping - promptly clean up drips and spills.
· Properly label and store all containers.
· Properly manage used oil filters.
· Schedule hazardous waste pickups. Do NOT dump or leave waste for others to take care of!!!
· Ensure you review your LOTO program (if required).
· Ensure you review your Confined Space program (if required).
· Continually be on the lookout for hazards with walking surfaces inside and outside the work area.
· Ensure PPE is clean, serviceable and available.
· Ensure machine guards are in place, serviceable and properly installed .
· Ensure you have latest Occupational Health Assessment Letter on file. Contact Bioenvironmental at 731-4406.
· Make sure all personal protective equipment (respirators, gloves, aprons, shields, etc.) are properly stored and maintained.
· Ensure no eating within industrial work areas.
· If your shop uses Respiratory Protection verify that you have a current RP OI.
· If Filtering Facepiece Devices (FFPD or dust masks) are used in work areas ensure proper training from Bioenvironmental (731-4406) on their usage limitations was accomplished.
· Verify your HAZCOM Program contains all required documents IAW 29 CFR 1910.1200 and AFI 90-821.
· If you use or store radioactive material or operate radiation producing devices, ensure you're current on radiation safety training. Contact Bioenvironmental at 731-4406.
· When entering a confined space ensure that all appropriate agencies are notified prior to entry (Fire Dept, Safety and Bioenvironmental Engineering).

While an ESOHCAMP is an assessment it is also a useful tool for an installation. Information gathered during an ESOHCAMP can help prevent loss of life, injury, environmental damage, and regulatory fines and penalties by identifying areas of potential noncompliance so resources can be focused on them. It may not always seem like it but an ESOHCAMP assessor is here to help you.

Any questions regarding this year's ESOHCAMP can be directed to Chris Murphy, 341st Civil Engineer Squadron, at 731-6369.