DOE/ORO/2327 Oak Ridge Reservation Annual Site Environmental ...

Oak Ridge Reservation
5.2.1.7 Checking
Monitoring and Measurement
UT-Battelle has developed monitoring and measurement processes for each operation or activity that
can have a significant impact on the environment. Several SBMS subject areas include requirements for
managers to establish performance objectives, indicators, and targets; conduct performance assessments
to collect data and monitor progress; and evaluate the data to identify strengths and weaknesses in
performance and areas for improvement.
EMS Assessments
Several methods are used by UT-Battelle to evaluate compliance with legal and other environmental
requirements. Most of the compliance evaluation activities are implemented by the EMS or are a part of
line organization assessment activities. Should a nonconformance be identified, the ORNL issues
management process requires that any regulatory or management system nonconformance be reviewed
for cause and corrective and/or preventive action developed. These actions are then implemented and
tracked to completion.
The SBMS Assessments subject area requires organizations to perform periodic environmental
assessments that cover both legal and other requirements and requires management system owners to
conduct annual self-assessments of their systems to ensure the systems are effective and are continually
improving.
UT-Battelle also uses the results from numerous external compliance inspections conducted by
regulators to verify compliance with requirements. In addition to regulatory compliance assessments,
there are internal and external EMS assessments performed annually to ensure that the UT-Battelle EMS
continues to conform to ISO requirements. In 2009, an internal audit and an external surveillance audit
were conducted and verified that the EMS continued to conform to ISO 14001:2004. In addition the
Office of Management and Budget’s Environmental Stewardship Program gave UT-Battelle a green EMS
scorecard rating on implementation of EO 13423, Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and
Transportation Management, indicating full implementation of EO 13423 requirements. In addition to
verifying conformance, these management system assessments also identify continual improvement
opportunities.
5.2.2 Environmental Management System for the TRU Waste Processing Center
The EMS for activities at the TWPC was registered to the ISO 14001:2004 Standard by NSF
International Strategic Registrations, Ltd., in May 2008. NSF International Strategic Registrations, Ltd.,
conducted a Surveillance Audit for the WAI EMS program in May 2009, and again no nonconformances
or issues were identified and several significant practices were noted. The WAI TWPC EMS and ISMS
are integrated to provide a unified strategy for the management of resources; the control and reduction of
risks; and the establishment and achievement of the organization's environment, safety, and health goals.
The EMS and ISMS are incorporated into the Integrated Safety Management Description Plan, and both
strive for continual improvement through a “plan-do-check-act” cycle.
The WAI EMS incorporates applicable environmental laws, DOE orders, and other requirements (i.e.,
directives and federal, state, and local laws) through the WAI Contract Requirements Document and
Regulatory Management Plan, which dictates how the various requirements are incorporated into TWPC
subject area documents (procedures and guidelines). Through environmental program personnel and EMS
representatives, the EMS assists the line organizations in identifying and addressing environmental issues
in accordance with the EMS requirements.
Environmental aspects are elements of an organization’s activities, products, or services that can
interact with the environment. WAI has identified environmental aspects associated with TWPC
activities, products, and services at both the project and activity level and has identified waste
management activities, air emissions, storm water contamination, and pollution prevention as potentially
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