COMMUNICATING COMMUNICATING YOUR EMSYOUR EMS

Jeffrey A. SitlerJeffrey A. SitlerEnvironmental Compliance ManagerEnvironmental Compliance Manager

Office of Environmental Health and SafetyOffice of Environmental Health and Safety

• Management perspectives - understanding Management perspectives - understanding the need for EMS the need for EMS

• The importance of management buy-in and The importance of management buy-in and guidanceguidance

• How to convey the EMS message to all How to convey the EMS message to all staff members staff members

TOPICS TO BE COVEREDTOPICS TO BE COVERED

Management PerspectivesManagement PerspectivesUnderstanding the need for EMS Understanding the need for EMS

How did we sell EMS at How did we sell EMS at UVA?UVA?

University of Rhode University of Rhode IslandIsland

$800,000$800,000

Boston UniversityBoston University

$750,000$750,000

BrownBrown

$500,000$500,000

University of HawaiiUniversity of Hawaii

$1,700,000$1,700,000

University of University of VirginiaVirginia

$29,989.29 $29,989.29

Compliance with Compliance with RegulationsRegulations

Compliance issues at UVACompliance issues at UVA Over 1,000 laboratories – Wastes Over 1,000 laboratories – Wastes

(chemical, radiological, general) (chemical, radiological, general) Emissions to Air - Many PermitsEmissions to Air - Many Permits Stormwater Discharges - PermitsStormwater Discharges - Permits +300,000 gallons of petroleum stored +300,000 gallons of petroleum stored

on siteon site Ever growing list of regulations and Ever growing list of regulations and

responsibilitiesresponsibilities

Objectives With Potential Cost Objectives With Potential Cost SavingsSavings

Waste ReductionWaste Reduction Water Use ReductionWater Use Reduction Energy Use ReductionEnergy Use Reduction Material Use ReductionMaterial Use Reduction Etc.Etc.

Sustainable and Community Sustainable and Community Based ObjectivesBased Objectives

• Link With Other Dept’s Sustainable GoalsLink With Other Dept’s Sustainable Goals• Increase Environmental Awareness and Increase Environmental Awareness and

Education Across Campus and Local Education Across Campus and Local CommunityCommunity

RECOGNITIONRECOGNITION

The Importance of Management The Importance of Management Buy-in and GuidanceBuy-in and Guidance

Complex

Man

agem

ent S

tructu

re

Complex

Man

agem

ent S

tructu

re Only the Only the management management understands understands the inner the inner workings of the workings of the university university managementmanagement

Campus wide initiatives require action from the Campus wide initiatives require action from the top, i.e., Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissionstop, i.e., Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions

How do we convey the EMS How do we convey the EMS message to all staff members? message to all staff members?

• UVA Steering CommitteeUVA Steering Committee• Department Level Implementation MeetingsDepartment Level Implementation Meetings• Hands-on implementation with individualsHands-on implementation with individuals• Technology – WEB Pages, Email, etc.Technology – WEB Pages, Email, etc.• VEEP - RecognitionVEEP - Recognition• Incorporate EMS in Employee orientationIncorporate EMS in Employee orientation• Incorporate EMS in UVA’s Sustainability Incorporate EMS in UVA’s Sustainability

InitiativeInitiative• Community MeetingsCommunity Meetings• EMS PartnershipsEMS Partnerships

Community-Wide Programs Community-Wide Programs

And GoalsAnd Goals

Communication is Essential to:

EMSEMS

Implement EMSImplement EMSSustain EMSSustain EMSFuture plansFuture plansReview and ImproveReview and ImproveAFFECT CHANGEAFFECT CHANGE

PLAN

CHECK

ACT

DO

EMS IS A ChallengeEMS IS A Challenge

But the Rewards Are Worth the Effort

EMS