Program assesses Vance

  • Published
  • By Bob Farrell
  • Public Affairs
Vance Air Force Base, Okla. --  The Environmental Safety and Occupational Health Compliance Assessment and Management Program unfortunately isn't more than a mouthful to most people.
People hear the acronym "ESOHCAMP" every year, but all too often don't really understand, or care about, its meaning.
Vance completed an ESOHCAMP assessment Sept 22.
"This was our own internal inspection, designed to prevent or deter potential violations," said Natalie Stennis, Computer Sciences Corporation environmental branch manager for Vance AFB. "The inspectors looked at the total program to keep the base compliant concerning local, state and federal regulations concerning environmental, safety and occupational health issues. It attempts to help keep the base on track to ensure we do not incur any enforcement actions such as notices of violations or consent decrees."
Areas inspected included air, water quality, wastewater, hazardous waste, natural and cultural resources, fuels, solid waste, occupational health, toxic materials, storage procedures for hazardous waste, and other environmental and safety and occupational health management issues. Basically, it inspected areas that affect people in their everyday lives, things that could harm them if left gone unnoticed.
However, Team Vance members don't have to worry for now. The recent inspection showed there were no significant or major findings at Vance. Those items found deficient are easily corrected locally.
"Through use of the assessment checklist, managers will be able to break down their assessments into smaller, more manageable internal assessment schedules. Meeting requirements of the ongoing environmental management system and minimizing risks improves overall knowledge of the program," said Robert Brinkley, environmental management system coordinator.
ESOHCAMP was designed by the Air Force to ensure environmental, safety and occupational health standards at each base are in compliance. The primary objectives are to improve environmental, safety and occupational health compliance and management and to build financial programs and budgets to support the program. While Headquarters Air Education and Training Command conducts external assessments every three years, each base conducts an internal assessment annually during the two remaining years.
The next AETC ESOHCAMP at Vance is in 2008. For more information, call Mr. Brinkley at 7526.