General Information

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Environmental Management System

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is the official EMS Policy at BNL?
    Refer to the Environmental, Safety, Security, and Health policy.
  2. What do you know about EMS?
    Refer to the information on the Process Evaluations web page.
  3. What are the environmental aspects related to your work?
    An environmental aspect is a waste or an operating/work activity that, if done improperly or if a component fails, could pollute the environment. Some environmental aspects are: Hazardous waste, radioactive waste, atmospheric discharge, soil activation, storage/use of chemicals, etc. For a listing of the SMD Significant Aspects and Processes see the Aspects Matrix (pdf) and the Summary of Significant Aspects. You can also find more information see the Pollution Prevention web page.
  4. How do you avoid potential environmental accidents in your work?
    Through proper use of the Work Planning System and by performing routine operations as per Magnet Division procedures.
  5. How do you prevent pollution (e.g., recycling) in your daily work?
    Through proper use of the Work Planning System and by being aware of my commitment to protect the environment and reduce waste.
  6. What response/actions would you take in the event of an environmental emergency?
    Call Ext. 2222 or 911. Follow Emergency Procedures found in SMD OPM 3.0 - SMD Local Emergency Plan Procedure (pdf).
  7. How are you made aware of new environmental requirements that affect you daily work?
    Laboratory Subject Areas are generated to incorporate the new requirements, SMD Operating Procedures are written to implement the new requirements. Departmental training is initiated so the SMD staff can implement the Operating Procedures.
  8. Are there environmental objectives and targets associated with your work? What is your role in achieving them?
    All SMD Staff who work in areas that have the potential for significant impact on the environment have been notified and trained. This training can be found at EMS Process Evaluations.
  9. What are your environmental R2A2’s?
    • Comply with Laboratory policies, standards, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
    • Maintain awareness of environmental impact of work, and apply pollution prevention and waste minimization techniques.
    • Identify potential hazards, environmental concerns, and unsafe conditions or practices in work or at work site, and implement or suggest controls to minimize risk.
    • Cease work activity, and/or issue a Stop Work Order upon observing imminent danger, and report the danger immediately to supervisor or ES&H Coordinator.
    • Respond to emergencies, alarms, or occurrence in an appropriate manner.
  10. What environmental operational controls are in place?
    Operational Controls are specified on Operational Control Forms (OCF) which can be found at EMS Process Evaluations.
  11. Are records available to show the operational controls are being maintained?
    Lists of required records are noted in individual OCF's.
  12. Are contractors that perform work in your area made aware of the operational controls?
    The Work Planning System captures the training requirements for contractors – if specific environmental training is required, then it will be noted in the work planning.
  13. What would you do in the event of an Environmental nonconformance?
    Contact the SMD ES&H Coordinator.