EFCOG Best Practice #58

(10/26/08)

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Title: EMS “Green Lights”

Facility: East Tennessee Technology Park, Oak Ridge, TN

Point of Contact: David Mabry, 865-425-5443, MabryDM@cdm.com

Brief Description of Best Practice:

EMS “Green Lights” are an EMS awareness and communications tool. Green Lights are issued on an ad hoc basis and are aimed at EMS-related topics ranging from EMS itself, to recycling, to permit compliance and other topics. Green Lights are distributed in meetings, as part of monthly safety messages issued by e-mail, posted on the Bechtel Jacobs Company (BJC) home page and other home pages.

Why the best practice was used:

As a result of an internal assessment in 2007 it was noted that there was an overall lack of awareness of EMS, what it was, who it applied to, how it was implemented, etc. The Green Light was instituted in response to that and has been incorporated into an EMS Communications Plan that relies on a variety of means to increase knowledge of EMS.

What are the benefits of the best practice:

There is recognition of “Green Lights” among employees. They know that it involves something from the “Environmental side of the house”. Many more people know what an EMS is and what it represents and that their work is a part of it.

What problems/issues were associated with the best practice:

Thus far there have not been any problems or issues.

How the success of the Best Practice was measured:

There are no data, per se, but it is evident from meetings and conversations on the topics of the individual Green Lights that people are reading them, remember them, and like them. Thus far there have been four Green Lights prepared on individual topics (aluminum beverage can recycling, green purchasing, “No discharge certification” and plastics recycling). People are responding and reacting to the Green Lights and when brought up in discussions they can converse on the topics.

Description of process experience using the Best Practice:

The “Green Light” grew out of an earlier communication tool, an “Environmental Pager”, typically a 1-page brief summary of facts about a law, program, or topic of interest. With the need to increase awareness and educate people on EMS a number of options were undertaken including EMS training as a part of annual combined (multipurpose) training, visual aids, and procedure revisions. Monthly employee communications were also included. Rather than using the Environmental Pager format, the Green Light was created. It looks different, has a different focus, and has a “green” attitude. People now recognize “Green Lights” and what they represent. The practice is a key part of our EMS and serves to integrate our various green efforts and messages into our overall ISMS.