Environmental Management System
What is an Environmental Management System (EMS)?
An Environmental Management System (EMS) is an integrated organized set of policies and procedures under which the University can remain compliant with applicable environmental regulations, and in addition, manage and lessen our impacts on the environment, thereby improving the University's overall environmental performance. This may sound complicated, but the concept is relatively simple. As coordinated teams, Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) and each department at the University systematically and regularly evaluate the department’s operations for environmental regulatory compliance and environmental impacts. Operations are modified as necessary to meet the requirements of the regulations. Identified environmental impacts are ranked and investigated to find ways to prevent, lessen, or eliminate these impacts. An integral part of the EMS is the detailed systematic control of all documents including policies, procedures, training records, reports, permits, and all other relevant environmental information.
The EMS plays a key role in the University's sustainabiltiy intiatiave by systematically working with departments and helping them to find ways to reduce their impacts on the environment. The University already has many pieces of an effective EMS in place. The University's recycling and energy programs have won numerous awards for effectiveness. Individual University departments have already made efforts to minimize their unique impacts on the environment by buying more environmentally friendly chemicals or minimizing quantities purchased.
Lastly, in 2007 the Board of Visitors has established that all new building construction at UVa will be LEED certified. The goal of the EMS is to pull all of these unique pieces together into one centralized system, enhancing our effectiveness in managing our overall environmental performance.
The historic Rotunda at UVa.
The University's ash silo at the main heat plant.
In addition to sustainability efforts, the EMS also focuses on compliance. EHS already spends a considerable amount of effort keeping UVa compliant with current regulations. Our faculty, staff, and students routinely complete training courses in many subjects including stormwater pollution prevention; biological, chemical, and radiation safety; asbestos and lead paint management; workplace safety; air pollution management, and others as necessary relating to their specific jobs.
EMS is not something new; industries have been using EMS for many years to manage their environmental impacts and regulatory compliance. Chemical plants, power companies, factories, cities, mills, marinas, landfills, and many other businesses utilize EMSs. The EMS requires that these facilities take a close look at their operations and determine ways they can improve efficiency and reduce impacts on the environment. In some cases, these improvements may result in cost savings through actions such as reductions in waste generation and energy consumption.
The overall goal of an EMS is continual improvement. An EMS is not something you merely implement and walk away. The University's EMS will require continual evaluation of the University's activities to ensure the University is doing as much as possible to reduce its impact on the environment and to remain environmentally compliant. At an operation as large and diverse as UVa, this is no small feat.
Contact EHS with Environmental Management System related questions or comments at storm-water@virginia.edu.
EHS Environmental Management System website questions or comments should be directed to Jess Wenger at jsw6d@virginia.edu or 982-5540.
