How to Set Up an Environmental Monitoring Program
An environmental monitoring program or an environmental management system (EMS) offers both environmental and economic benefits to an organization that adopts it. An EMS is a set of defined guidelines and procedures developed by an organization to reduce its environmental impact. An EMS focuses on all business procedures, giving companies opportunities to increase efficiency and reduce loss. An effective approach uses the Total Quality Management principles to plan, do, check, and act.
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Things You'll Need
- Environmental management plan
- Organization's records
- List of current procedures
Instructions
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1
Select staff members for the development of the EMS. Make sure all departments have representation. Choose a project champion or leader from the team.
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2
Define the goals of the organization. A set of clearly-defined goals give an EMS focus and direction. For the best results, solicit feedback from all staff members.
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3
Evaluate current procedures. Some sound environmental practices may already be in place. Incorporate existing procedures into the development of a more comprehensive plan.
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4
Identify problem areas within the organization's practices. Look for areas that need improvement or that have the greatest environmental impact. Incorporate possible solutions into the goals.
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5
Prepare a preliminary plan including a budget. Define staff roles and responsibilities. Allow top management to review the draft. Management approval and participation is vital to the success of an EMS.
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6
Develop operational procedures. This step is crucial for reviewing and auditing the program. If organizational goals are not being met, documented procedures provide a clear outline of where improvements can be made.
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7
Develop training procedures for staff. Documented procedures ensure that every staff member receives adequate training, touching on all important aspects of the EMS.
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Monitor activities within the organization. Monitoring allows staff members to discern the feasibility and practicality of an EMS. Sometimes written guidelines and actual implementation can vary dramatically.
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9
Identify any flaws with the plan or its implementation. As legal and environmental requirements change, a plan must have the flexibility to comply with new laws and regulations.
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10
Maintain records of EMS monitoring. A good record-keeping system will provide a means to review the history of the plan and provide the basis for which to review the plan's performance.
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Audit the EMS on a regular schedule. The key to a successful EMS is the ability to measure its effects. Audits provide a tangible means of gauging a plan's success as well as of identifying areas that need improvement.
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Conduct a management review. Review the EMS regularly for changes that are necessary for continued improvement. Consider any changes to the organization's goals at this time.
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Tips & Warnings
When auditing, choose a staff member who normally works in a different department to conduct the audit for a non-biased review of procedures.
Stay current on legal requirements to prevent noncompliance.
