ESOHCAMP inspection begins

  • Published
  • By Courtesy of 325th Civil Engineering Squadron
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The 325th Fighter Wing Civil Engineer Squadron Natural Resources Management Element is taking the lead on preparing Tyndall for an Environmental, Safety and Occupational Health Compliance Assessment and Management Program (ESOHCAMP) inspection set for Aug. 10-14.

The ESOHCAMP inspection team, whose members are composed primarily of personnel from Headquarters Air Education Training Command and other Air Force bases, will be reviewing Tyndall's Environmental Management System with an emphasis on environmental, safety and occupational health programs to determine how the base is complying with Federal, State and local regulations and permits, as well as Air Force instructions.

Unlike an Operational Readiness Inspection, the ESOHCAMP team is not here to "give out tickets" for problems they might find. The goal is to help Team Tyndall find and correct problems that could cause or contribute to regulatory violations, possibly including fines, if State or Federal regulatory agency inspectors were to make the findings. If resources are needed to help correct a deficiency, the ESOHCAMP Team can help validate the problem and lend support to a request for resources.

"Every shop on base - both wing and tenant commands - whose job involves any part of the ESOH process has the potential to be looked at," said Lt. Col. Keith A. Welch, Commander of the 325Civil Engineer Squadron.

ESOHCAMP audits, which are required for all installations by the Department of Defense, assess the base in areas ranging from hazardous materials, water and air issues to cultural and natural resources. The assessment is a snap-shot-in-time of how well Team Tyndall is performing its ESOH duties.

"For example, any shop that handles hazardous materials or hazardous waste, which includes a lot of locations here at Tyndall, is eligible to be visited by the ESOHCAMP Team," said Lt. Col. Welch. "Even the Youth Center is not exempt from a visit by the inspectors. Solid waste disposal and recycling will also be reviewed, probably including what we refer to as "dumpster diving" - sorting through dumpsters to determine if there are items in the trash that should have been disposed of in a different manner. We never know where they plan to visit until after they arrive, so every area on base is a potential target."

In most instances, problems identified by the ESOHCAMP Team are corrected very quickly, often before the ESOHCAMP Team even leaves Tyndall. If a more complicated solution is needed that cannot be implemented immediately, the Natural Resources Element works with the unit responsible for the finding to provide guidance and track the progress of corrective action.

"These ESOHCAMP audits are especially valuable if they help identify and correct a problem that might otherwise result in a regulatory agency action. Regulatory actions for violations can impact the mission, and no one wants that." said Lt. Col. Welch.

"We have a lot of people around the base working very hard to make sure Tyndall is ready for the visit," said Lt. Col. Welch. "Folks from the Natural Resources Element have been working since early May with Unit Environmental Coordinators and facility managers from all the organizations on base to identify any shortcomings we can correct prior to the inspection."

"Team Tyndall has a long history of excellent environmental stewardship and a great safety and worker health protection record. From the Wing Commander to the people in the shops, all members of Team Tyndall are very supportive of accomplishing our mission while still protecting our workers and the fantastic coastal environment we enjoy," said Lt. Col. Welch.