2008 ESOHCAMP tests Ellsworth compliance Published June 19, 2008 By Staff Sgt. Joshua Stevens 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. -- The tri-annual, external Environmental, Safety and Occupational Health Compliance Assessment and Management Program review will span from June 23 to 27, assessing many base areas and programs in order to find and correct regulatory non-compliance of environmental standards. Ellsworth was last evaluated by an ESOHCAMP team in 2005. The 2005 assessments covered 11 environmental programs and 13 occupational health programs, said Jerry Styles, 28th Civil Engineer Squadron Water Quality program manager. We passed in all categories and our Waste and Wastewater program even scored as "Benchmark" for its innovations toward efficiency and compliance. The 2008 assessment will be carried out by various agencies and individuals. "There will be a total of 10 ESOHCAMP team members evaluating seven environmental and 10 occupational health programs," Mr. Styles said. The team will consist of Air Combat Command personnel, contractors and other Air Force members from across the command. ESOHCAMP serves as a preventive analysis in order to ensure compliance before local, state and federal regulatory inspections. "The base receives at least four inspections per year on its different environmental programs; the ESOHCAMP assessments will definitely ensure a positive outcome during the inspections," Mr. Styles said. Areas of the base which the evaluation concentrates most on are Hazardous Materials and Waste, Air Quality, Pollution Prevention, Solid Waste, Water Quality, Chemical Hazards, Hazardous Communication, Personal Protective Equipment and the Respiratory Protection Program. If any discrepancies are found, they will need to be corrected as soon as possible, Mr. Styles said. Of course, timetables may be extended depending on the fix, money, project design and construction, but all discrepancies are tracked until completion. Although ESOHCAMP only occurs every three years, individual unit assessments are conducted on a regular basis. Unit environmental coordinators do monthly assessments of their shops, squadron representatives look at each shop quarterly, group representatives look at each shop twice a year, and, annually, the environmental flight evaluates each shop, Mr. Styles said. Testing this often ensures compliance for regulatory inspections and favorable ESOHCAMP evaluations. The 28 CES will showcase many of Ellsworth's successes to team evaluators. "The Ellsworth environmental team is leading the way for Air Combat Command and the Air Force by developing the command-standard Environmental Safety and Occupational Health Management System program," said Jens Christensen, 28 CES ESOHMS program manager. "The ESOHMS cleared the way for Ellsworth to become the first Air Force installation to obtain membership in the Environmental Protection Agency's Performance Track Program. The flight has also developed innovative tools on their Web site such as customized disposal plans unique to each shop so personnel have easy access to the information they need to complete their mission and comply with multitudes of rules and regulations." Keeping Ellsworth in check is a team effort, conducted by all members of the base. Compliance is not just gearing-up for the ESOHCAMP assessments, it is something we strive to practice everyday at Ellsworth, Mr. Styles said. "The hard work of the Ellsworth team and the Environmental Flight are recognized by Air Combat Command headquarters; we've received command awards three years running for environmental excellence," Mr. Christensen said. The 2008 ESOHCAMP results will be released during the team's out brief June 26. For more information, contact the 28 CES at (605) 385-2674.