Introduction to Environmental Management Systems EMS

1. Introduction to Environmental Management Systems (EMS)

2. What’s an EMS (Environmental Management System) An EMS is simply a collection of activities undertaken to ensure that environmental issues are managed....An EMS is important for: Consistently complying with environmental laws Improving overall environmental performance Addressing environmental liability from current or past practices Maximizing investment in environmental affairs Integration of environmental objectives into overall mission and business objectives Providing an environmentally safe workplace

3. EMS Basis & Components Policy Planning Implementation Quality assurance/control Management review Stakeholder involvement Community Environmental Activity (Required for TCEQ or ISO 14001)

4. Is an EMS Important? Yes.... Identifies causes of environmental problems and is used to eliminate them Improves communication and assigns responsibility Saves money and makes good business sense Important to satisfy grant or other business terms

5. Also...to get ahead of the curve.... EPA enforcement actions on colleges and universities Example: Settlement with EPA will cost Fitchburg State College $205,000 UT System Environmental Advisory Committee Identified environmental management systems as a method for managing environmental affairs and reducing and controlling environmental risks

6. Does UTHSCH Have an EMS? Yes....and it’s in the process of being formalized to meet Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) certification standards excluding third party certification Our current EMS consists of an environmental policy, ranked list of environmental aspects, and programs for minimizing our environmental impacts related to our aspects which are review by our Institutional Chemical Safety Committee.

7. Policy – Environmental Management Systems

8. Planning - Environmental Management Systems An important component of EMS’s are identification and prioritization of environmental aspects of an organization These environmental aspects are products or services produced or performed by an organization that impact our environment Example: Environmental aspect: Emergency Power Environmental category: Air Pollution Organization “unit”: Facilities Maintenance

9. Once an environmental aspect has been identified EH&S develops policies and procedures to address environmental risks and compliance, and minimize environmental impacts Example: Emergency Power Generation Goal: Reduce NOx and VOC emissions that lead to the formation of ground level ozone, and to comply with the Texas Clean Air Act Policy & Procedures: Includes recording generator run times on a standard log sheet, and the utilization of less polluting natural gas emergency generators for new installations. EH&S records the usage from each generator on a monthly basis and compares to regulatory limits. EH&S also conducts annual training for maintenance personnel. Programs: Quarterly survey of generators and fuel storage tanks, and annual air emissions survey

10. Management Review – Environmental Management Systems Measurement process with environmental goals in mind Management should consider the need for any changes to the EMS and make assignments for any changes needed. Assignments should be consistent with the roles and responsibilities previously established.

11. EMS…In a Nutshell…. Move from identifying an interface with the environment, to characterizing the nature of the effect and estimating the degree of impact and developing programs to minimize environmental impacts and improve compliance with environmental regulations Create awareness among faculty, staff, and students to integrate environmental considerations into the research, educational, and service mission of the University. Provides a framework to set environmental goals, improve performance, and reduce environmental costs and liabilities

12. Any Questions?Please Call 713-500-8100