ESOHCAMP assessment helps ensure safety and environmental protection for base

  • Published
  • By Karen Abeyasekere
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  The Environmental Safety Occupational Health Compliance Assessment Management Program internal assessment for RAF Mildenhall was July 28 to 31. 

Twenty-three assessors from a variety of workcenters around RAF Mildenhall, the 48th Aerospace Medicine Squadron Bioenvironmental Engineering and 48th AMDS Public Health, evaluated many different protocols including air emissions, hazardous waste, hazardous materials, natural resources, waste water, water quality, hazard communication, personal protective equipment, confined spaces, storage tanks and petroleum, oil and lubricants. 

An external inspection, usually conducted by personnel from Headquarters U.S. Air Forces in Europe, is held once every three years, and an internal assessment is carried out each of the two years in between. 

"The purpose of an internal assessment is to help commanders assess the status of their environmental, safety and occupational health programs. It also provides an opportunity to identify and track problems as well as being a more visible method for working solutions. The increased visibility of these assessments is a great opportunity for work areas to advocate for the resources that they need," said Maj. William Hurtle, 48th AMDS Bioenvironmental Engineering Flight and ESOHCAMP team leader. 

"It's important to have assessors from different backgrounds and career fields because the synergistic effect of using cross-functional disciplines maximizes the effectiveness of our base-wide program." 

There are several categories of findings from minor administrative or recordkeeping issues to situations that may require quick or immediate action to protect safety or the environment. 

Positive findings are also noted when there are innovative and creative management techniques; improved operations to minimize environmental impact, or for a benchmark program. Best management practice suggestions are also provided during the assessment.

Under the environmental category there were 13 protocols. A total of 60 findings and five management practices were found throughout RAF Mildenhall. Occupational Health had 24 findings in its 11 protocols 

The safety category focused hard on confined spaces and lock-out/tag-out, which are Command-wide special interest items for ESOHCAMP. Four findings were identified. Occupational Health had 24 findings, all of which were evaluated as minor concerns that require continuous shop diligence and attention to detail to keep right. 

Overall, the attention given to these findings across all three areas will help ensure RAF Mildenhall complies with its environmental responsibilities, is safe and healthy on-the-job, and is prepared for the next external ESOHCAMP. 

For positive findings there were a total of four outstanding performers: Kevin Reynolds, 100th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and Gary Wenko, 100th Maintenance Squadron AGE flight, both for hazardous waste programs. Andy Frania and Steve Grad, both 100th Force Support Squadron Bowling Center, were noted as outstanding performers for their lock-out/tag-out program. 

"I was impressed by how thorough (the assessment) was," said Karl Kunas, 100th Civil Engineer Squadron Natural Resources Management element chief. "The size of the team that was put together, their experience, and their commitment to taking a good, hard look at the programs, especially when you realize they do this on top of their normal jobs" Mr. Kunas said. 

The external ESOHCAMP is scheduled for 2010.