4.5 Checking and Corrective Action
4.5.1 Monitoring and Measurement
PW has established and maintains procedures to monitor and measure the
key characteristics of its operations and activities that can have a
significant impact on the environment and/or the health and safety of
its employees.
Monitoring and measurement is necessary to verify the exercise of operational control, to evaluate the PW performance in achieving its objectives and targets, and to provide input for management decisions. Environmental Operating Certificates provide information to assist in execution of the operational controls at the organizational level. At the environmental management program level, metrics are developed to identify the monitoring and measurement for assessing achievement of PW objectives and targets. Examples of items monitored include reduction in hazardous substance spills, reduction in air emissions, toxic air releases, hazardous wastes generated, and inventories of hazardous chemicals. Procedures for reporting of information for monitoring purposes are contained in pertinent chapters or appendices of Fort Lewis Regulation 200-1, environmental operating certificates, and in various environmental management plans.
Monitoring and measuring equipment is calibrated and maintained according to established procedures (see PW procedure EMS-245, Maintenance and Calibration of Monitoring and Measuring Equipment, available on the PW Intranet). These procedures include provisions for record keeping. A log of all monitoring and test equipment is maintained in each PW Division as appropriate.
PW procedures for monitoring and measurement include the periodic evaluation of compliance with relevant environmental legislation, regulations and other requirements (see PW procedure EMS-250, Monitoring and Measurement, available on the PW Intranet). A compliance inspection team in ENRD conducts periodic compliance inspections at the organizational level. Every three years, Fort Lewis (including PW) undergoes an external environmental compliance assessment (the Army's Environmental Compliance Assessment System). In addition, local, state and federal regulatory agencies make announced and unannounced inspections of Fort Lewis. Results of all inspections and assessments and audits are used to generate management reports such as the Installation Status Report for use by PW and Garrison senior management. These results also provide input for EMS management reviews.