ESOHCAMP volunteer inspectors to impact community, benefit from participation Published May 19, 2009 By Meredith March 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- Hanscom's annual Environmental Safety and Occupational Health Compliance Assessment Management Program inspection will take place from June 1 to 5. The inspection is a five day, multimedia inspection and will be conducted internally, meaning Hanscom personnel will serve as inspectors. Internal ESOHCAMP teams have traditionally been composed of volunteer military members, Defense Department civilians and contractors -- some with either environmental, safety or occupational health professional backgrounds and others who are novices in their assigned area. All members of the Hanscom community are eligible and encouraged to volunteer as inspectors; no particular expertise is required. Volunteers can easily participate by obtaining approval from their supervisor. Individuals interested in learning about environmental regulations and promoting green practices will especially benefit from participating in the inspection, said Don Morris, Civil Engineering Environmental director. "This inspection offers participants a great opportunity to learn about environmental programs at Hanscom. Volunteers will have a chance to evaluate existing compliance, restoration, pollution prevention and conservation programs and offer suggestions for improvement," he said. Inspectors will compile an assessment of Hanscom's compliance with environmental, safety and occupational health laws and regulations. Based on the assessment, the ESOHCAMP team will then provide constructive feedback to applicable work centers so all findings can be corrected as soon as possible. The inspection team will also be looking for best management practices and will recognize units with excellent compliance programs. The long-lasting benefits of an environmentally-friendly and safe atmosphere make ESOHCAMP compliance a priority for the Hanscom community, said Col. Dave Orr, 66th Air Base Wing commander. "ESOHCAMP focuses on long-term sustainment of environmental and occupational safety that directly impacts the mission today and in the future," he said. "I thank our Hanscom members for their efforts to ready the installation for the Voluntary Protection Program assessment and hope that we again recognize the value-added of a solid ESOHCAMP program and come out to volunteer during our internal compliance assessment." ESOHCAMP evaluations are composed of multiple protocols, such as: air, hazardous materials, hazardous waste, natural resources, solid waste management, storage tanks, drinking water, wastewater and toxic substances including items such as lead based paint, asbestos, radon and other environmental contaminants, as well as safety and occupational health. For more information call the Environmental Management Office at (781) 377-2904 or (781) 377-4667.