Implementing an Integrated Environmental and Safety Management System

Implementing an Integrated Environmental and Safety Management System Lessons Learned

Background Ø Defense National Stockpile Center (DNSC) § Field Activity of Defense Logistics Agency § Headquartered at Ft. Belvoir, Va. § 9 Staffed Depots and 34 storage locations Ø DNSC operates the National Defense Stockpile Program § Store and sell metallurgical ores and materials § Program established in 1940 s to lessen U. S. dependence on foreign sources in times of war or national emergency. 2

Binghamton Depot 3

Our Organization Ø Approximately 150 employees located at HQ and 9 staffed depots § Ft. Belvoir, VA § Baton Rouge, LA § Binghamton and Scotia, NY § Clearfield, UT § Hammond and New Haven, IN § Point Pleasant, WV § Somerville, NJ § Warren, OH Ø Shrinking workforce with unique multi-disciplinary synergy Ø Strong employee pride in effective commodity storage practices 4 and environmental stewardship

DNSC Snapshot • 50 Commodities • 43 Locations • $1. 7 Billion in Current Market Value Ferrochromium at Somerville, NJ Rubber at Somerville, NJ 5

Typical Commodity Storage Palladium Loading Graphite at Warren Depot Manganese and Zinc New Haven Depot Somerville Depot - Antimony 6

DNSC’s Future Ø Congress determined that NDS is no longer necessary § 95% of commodities declared excess § Sales totaling $4. 5 Billion since 1993 § Sales expected to be completed and all storage locations closed by 2020 § As commodities are sold, the number of storage facilities and employees will shrink 7

DNSC’s ESOHMS E = Environmental S = Safety O = Occupational H = Health M = Management S = System “I am the Key” 8

Our Implementation Approach Ø Capitalized on DNSC’s strengths § We’re a small, people-oriented organization Ø Chose four key aspects of EMS for emphasis: § Environmental protection § Worker safety § Occupational health § Our impact within our communities 9

EMS and DNSC Ø Created positive diversions during DNSC’s transformation § Changed focus of down-sizing initiatives § Creates synergy across the board § Environmental stewardship remains in forefront of day-today activities Ø EMS has introduced mechanisms that keep DNSC’s workforce actively involved in environmental restoration and protection. 10

ESOHMS Benefits at DNSC Ø Improved morale Ø Enhanced communications Ø Greater efficiency Ø Team building Ø Better performance 11

Improved Morale Ø Training – focused on pride in a job well done Ø Defining aspects and impacts – activities of workers are the foundation of ESOHMS Ø Created new opportunities – diversified job descriptions Ø Everyone is a “stakeholder” – field personnel have direct input into management policies Ø Goal and sense of accomplishment – created camaraderie and focus on leaving something good behind 12

Enhanced Communications Ø Training – provided formal training on all DNSC policies Can you hear me Now? ? ? Ø ESOHMS website – assures that all policy information is current and retrievable Ø Common goal – we all communicate across organization lines Ø Community outreach – helped us formulate methods for effective community involvement Ø Good neighbors – we are less of a “mystery” to our surrounding communities 13

Greater Efficiency Ø Training during monthly safety meetings – provides a mechanism for implementing training at no additional cost Ø Allocation of decreasing resources – prioritized our activities and allocated resources, people and money effectively Ø Mindset of continual improvement Ø Forced to do more, with less 14

Forced to do more with “LES” 15

Team Building Ø Training – policies are explained to personnel Ø We are all stakeholders – everyone can provide input on how and why they do a particular process Ø Working toward a common goal – everyone must work across organizational and geographic boundaries Ø Greater cooperation between management and field staff 16

Better Performance Ø Training – taught and reinforced our job processes and assured we were performing well Ø Focus on continual improvement Ø Detailed review of work processes to enhance performance Ø Systematic audits and corrective actions 17

See Any Common Themes? Ø Training is the key!!! Ø Training at all levels within the organization Ø Training assures personnel are aware of their job responsibilities and how that affects ESOHMS targets and objectives Ø Training builds confidence in the management system Ø Training can be incorporated in literally every element and aspect of the organization Ø Training can be executed at little or no additional cost 18

Lessons Learned When you train personnel to “buy into” an EMS program you cultivate the human element within the workplace: § Environmental stewardship § Work safely § Protect human health § Become a better neighbor within the community § Social responsibility 19