ESOHCAMP is here next week Published March 25, 2010 By Carroll Hale 452 AMW Environmental Mngt. MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, CALIF. -- The external ESOHCAMP is fast approaching. The 452nd Mission Support Group, Environmental Management Department, the 452nd Bioenvironmental/Public Health Flight, and 452nd Safety remind all March ARB personnel that during the week of Mar. 29 to Apr. 2, auditors will perform a basewide inspection of environmental, safety and occupational health items within most industrial-type shops. This includes all tenants, DoD base operations support contracted services (e.g. SSI/EMI, NCC, Airfield Management, etc.) and organizations performing industrial/administrative activities on March ARB. In a Mar. 5 Beacon newspaper article, we gave a long list of the environmental criteria to help you get ready. To summarize, it is crucial that you follow proper procedures for storage and usage of hazardous materials and handle and dispose of all waste products according to methods described in training classes and in your shop's environmental management continuity binders. OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY/ HEALTH For the occupational safety and health aspects of the ESOHCAMP inspection, the focus will be on Air Force occupational safety and health programs--employee occupational health and safety, individually and collectively: Supervisors, especially in our industrial shops (maintenance, civil engineering, flight operations, aerial ports, vehicle maintenance, transportation, fuels, etc.) must ensure their personnel receive specific job-related occupational health training and occupational medical examinations. In addition. supervisors must: - Document required annual occupational health and safety training (Hazard Communication [Haz Com], Hearing Conservation, Bloodborne Pathogen, Respiratory Protection, Radiation/Laser Protection and Safety, etc.) on AF Form 55, or an authorized electronic data system (e.g. GO-81, ARMS, MDRSS, etc.) - Ensure Occupational-Environmental Health Medical Exams are completed annually - usually with the Reserve Component Periodic Health Assessment (RCPHA--Military) scheduled by the 452 AMDS/Occupational Health Manager - Ensure new personnel (military and civilian) in-process with the 452nd Mission Support Group/Bioenvironmental-Occupational Health Flight at building 1213 - Ensure personnel on the Respiratory Protection Program accomplish their annual respirator fit test. - Notify the 452 MSG/Bioenvrionmental whenever new equipment, new chemicals or processes are needed so a health risk assessment can be done prior to employee actually beginning any work with an exposure risk - Ensure all shop-specific operating instructions, guidelines or plans (e.g. HazCom, Confined Space Entry, Respiratory Protection Program, Bloodborne Pathogen, etc.), are accurate, current and reviewed by Bioenvironmental each year. SAFETY For the safety aspect of the ESOHCAMP inspection, the inspectors will be checking facilities to ensure a safe working environment; employee records to determine whether employees are receiving the required safety training; and observing and interviewing employees to identify any safety violations, improper use of safety equipment, or inadequate training. Based on findings from the last external ESOHCAMP, shops can help reduce the number of safety findings by: - Replacing any worn or spliced power cords on equipment or power tools - Put all shields and guards in place on all equipment and power tools (several findings in 2007 were based on equipment that had been modified to remove the shields and guards that prevent personnel from placing any part of the body in the danger zone while the machine is in operation.) - Put in work orders for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) to be installed anywhere electrical receptacles are located in wet environments or in close proximity to plumbing fixtures - Properly store compressed gas cylinders--use tight chains or straps to secure all gas cylinders, large or small - Store flammable liquids in proper containers and keep closed except when in use - Don't store matches or lighters in the same locker as the flammables (flares, gasoline, etc.) - Ensure portable fire extinguishers have received monthly and annual inspections, which are documented on the tag attached to the extinguisher - Ensure your facility has received an annual inspection by the safety office - Make sure everyone's safety training records are up-to-date - Keep your MSDS current - Provide timely response to the weapons safety inspection reports