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1.
Establish Management Commitment
Without top management commitment, implementing an EMS
will be exceptionally difficult, if not impossible.
The program needs to be defined and endorsed in an environmental policy
that documents the organization’s commitments. This includes compliance,
continual improvement and pollution prevention.
Management is also responsible for committing
resources. This is necessary to both implement and ensure ongoing EMS
maintenance.
2.
Define
The Structure
Next, define EMS-related roles and responsibilities and
communicate them to employees to facilitate implementation.
As
part of the process, a management representative will need to be appointed.
This individual, regardless of other job functions, will have
overall EMS responsibility.
Additional roles may include an emergency response
team, a training coordinator, an EMS team, supervisors, public
relations personnel and EMS auditors.
3.
Define The Scope
Determine
which parts of your organization the EMS will apply to
early in the process.
The scope may include several
« EMS-controlled
activities. It may also include the activities of contractors who manage
a significant environmental aspect.
4.
Develop A Plan/Schedule
An
implementation plan will serve as a “road
map” throughout the process. Along with a schedule, it will
define tasks and general completion time frames.
The schedule also needs to be realistic, reflecting the
organization’s needs and resource availability. Once established,
these items need to be adhered to and the project made a priority.
5.
Use A Team Approach
A system is a combination of many
parts that function as a whole to achieve a particular result.
Accordingly, the implementation and ongoing maintenance of the
system should reflect the efforts of more than one individual.
A team should be assembled that
comprises your organization’s best and brightest.
The actual makeup of this team will be very
organization-specific; however, it typically consists of a
cross-section of the various levels of the organization, or a
cross-functional group representing the various site activities. In all cases, this group is critical to the success of the
project.
6.
Make The EMS Specific
There aren't any “cookie-cutter” approaches to EMS
implementation. This is
your chance to define a system that works for YOUR solid waste
operation.
The
EMS should address weaknesses in your existing procedures and
programs. You can’t accomplish this by buying a off-the-shelf
product.
Be sure that you're involved in EMS development.
This will ensure that there is a complete understanding of system
requirements and mechanics.
7.
Utilize Existing Procedures/Processes
Regardless of how robust your existing system of
environmental management may or may not be, there will be many
procedures already in place that address ISO 14001 requirements.
When possible, take advantage of these existing processes by
incorporating them directly into your EMS and avoid “re-inventing
the wheel.”
This practice will save time in developing a new
process and training the appropriate personnel in its use.
It's for this reason that we recommend completing the gap analysis.
8.
Communicate
Communication throughout the
implementation program is another critical action item.
All personnel should be aware of environmental aspects
information, environmental performance data, the ISO 14001
implementation project itself, EMS roles and responsibilities and
the important role that all employees play in the process.
Tune
in next issue for Part 4 of our series: "EMS Benefits."
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