ESOHCAMP <br> Keesler prepares for inspection on environmental, occupational health Published Feb. 15, 2012 By 81st Training Wing Environmental office KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Keesler is preparing for an external Environmental, Safety and Occupational Health Compliance Assessment and Management Program inspection March 5-9. The assessment is a wideranging audit covering facets of base activities with the potential to impact the environment, as well as a review of occupational health and safety protocols. The inspection team will consist of military, civilian and contractor personnel from Air Education and Training Command who will conduct a compliance assessment as well as an audit of the base's Environmental Management System. The EMS provides an overall management system for policy development, organizational structure, planning, responsibilities, practices, procedures, processes, and resources for developing, implementing, achieving, reviewing and maintaining programs for meeting environmental goals. The ESOHCAMP will monitor for standard regulatory compliance issues associated with Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, Air Force and state environmental, safety and health requirements. Shop supervisors and workers can expect to be checked for compliance in environmental areas such as air emissions, hazardous materials, hazardous waste, fuel storage tanks, drinking water and wastewater. Occupational health and safety inspections will also be conducted in areas including chemical hazards, hazard communications, hearing conservation, personal protective equipment and respiratory protection programs. Shop personnel should also expect to be asked questions about the 81st Training Wing commander's EMS Guidance. The guidance emphasizes compliance with laws and regulations, minimization and elimination of wastes and the release of pollutants, conservation of natural resources through recycling and conserving energy, seeking continual improvement and implementation of the EMS throughout all organizations. Units can also expect generalized questions about the installation's environmental management plans and steps being taken to achieve objectives of those EMPs, as well as questions about each individual's own shop regulations and environmental impacts. Other questions will focus on worker knowledge of compliance with energy conservation measures, methods used to conserve fuel, and efforts to find alternative products to prevent generation of hazardous waste. Checklists and questionnaires are available on Keesler's eDASH site to assist supervisors and workers in preparing Keesler personnel for this ESOHCAMP inspection. The eDASH page can be accessed from the Keesler Portal web page. For more information, call the environmental section, 228-377-1262.