ESOHCAMP: The final countdown Published April 12, 2010 By 23rd Civil Engineer Squadron MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- The Air Combat Command External Environmental, Safety, Occupational, Health, Compliance and Management Program is scheduled to run April 19 to 23. During that week, ACC ESOHCAMP team members will conduct shop visits and evaluate Moody's compliance with Air Force, state and federal environmental safety and occupational health laws. The assessment will include, but is not limited to, the following protocol areas: air emissions, petroleum, oil, and lubricant, ground safety, hazardous materials, hazardous waste, solid waste/pollution prevention, storage tank, toxic substances including polychlorinated biphenyls, asbestos, radon and lead-based paint, water quality, occupational health and environmental management systems. Other areas include: confined spaces personal protective gear lockout or tagout, respiratory protection, machine guarding, industrial ventilation systems such as welding hoods or lab hoods, electrical and chemical hazards, hazardous communications plans, power hand tools, ionizing/non-ionizing radiation, walking and working surfaces, hearing conservation, materials handling, occupational health management, eye wash, thermal stress and ergonomics. The ESOHCAMP categories are environmental, ground safety and occupational health. The assessment of each category starts with 100 points. The category of health is based on all ranked protocols within that category. The ESOHCAMP protocols will be assessed using an evaluation scale that includes: Benchmark- innovating for efficiency and compliance Model- exceeding regulatory compliance Solid- on the right track Needs improvement- several deficiencies putting the base at risk Requires immediate attention- numerous deficiencies putting base substantial risk If a protocol receives a benchmark, model or solid rating then no points are taken away. If a protocol receives a needs improvement or requires immediate action rating then the designated number of points will be taken away from 100. The 23rd Wing's goal is to achieve an overall rating of "green." The ESOHCAMP category scoring system is as follows: if 100 to 90 points are earned, the unit will be given a green indicator, with 89 to 80 points the unit will be given a yellow indicator and if 79 to 0 points are earned, the unit will be given a red indicator. The following are common ESOHCAMP discrepancies and areas of concern: - Shops must initiate shop cleanup immediately and turn in chemicals not being used. - Identify and replace all PPE that is damaged, nonserviceable or in poor condition. - Do not put hazardous materials or recyclables in the dumpster. - Dumpsters should be emptied before the inspectors arrive and all lids and doors must be closed. - Close lids to drums containing chemicals or dirty rags. - Shops must have a spill kit and supplies readily available. Everyone must know when and how to use them. - Label all hazardous material containers, including transfer containers such as spray bottles. - All shops must have a current written hazardous communications program. - Training documents must be up-to-date. Shop personnel must be legitimately trained about hazards listed on their Air Force Form 55. - There must be a current material safety data sheet in the shop and readily available. If the chemical is maintained on a vehicle, then a copy of the MSDS should be maintained in that vehicle. - Correct findings identified by inspectors immediately. - Avoid improper storage of hazardous, universal and solid waste. Used fluorescent lamps must be stored in a box (original box if possible) in a closet or location where the used lamps will not be broken. The box must be closed and labeled "used fluorescent lamps." - Universal waste labels must meet all the federal requirements and can be obtained from the Hazardous Material Pharmacy. - Inadequate satellite accumulation points must not be stored near the generation point. - Used chemical waste containers must be properly labeled with labels obtained from the Hazardous Materials Pharmacy. - All elements of the "lock out, tag out" program must be conducted and enforced. - All master entry plans for confined space must be updated. - Damaged equipment such as electrical cords must be repaired . - All greased traps must be cleaned out. - The must be the most updated applicable plans onsite, including respiratory and individual containment plans. - Equipment inspection records must be current and readily available. - Compressed gas cylinders must be secured or locked in designated locations. The final piece of the puzzle is attitude and we should all show the assessors we have a positive one. Be attentive to their questions and respond accordingly. Do not argue with the assessors but instead ask questions about any finding and provide additional information that will help clarify any discrepancies. Accept the finding and address corrective actions by correcting discrepancies on the spot whenever possible. Respect and courtesy go a long way towards the final documentation of the finding. Remember to identify any areas or processes that could be potentially considered as a positive finding. A positive finding can be a process improvement, administrative or procedural change that increases efficiency. It can be as simple as reorganizing MSDSs in your HAZCOM binder or changing the steps during a process that result in saving time and money. The external ESOHCAMP is not to be feared. It is a tool to help the base become better at managing safety, health and the environment. The program can really direct the culture of the Air Force and enables us to work in a safe environment.