AN
ORGANISATION ACHIEVE TEN STEP ACTION PLAN FOR IMPLEMENTING ISO 14001 are:-
Step
1: Define Organization's Goals for EMS: The first step in EMS planning is to
decide why you are pursuing the development of an EMS. Are you trying to
improve your environmental performance (e.g., compliance with regulations or
prevent pollution.
Step
2: Secure Top Management Commitment: One of the most critical steps in the
planning process is gaining top management's commitment to support EMS
development and implementation. Management must first understand the benefits
of an EMS and what it will take to put an EMS in place. To develop this
understanding, explain the strengths and limitations of your current approach
and how those limitations can affect the organization's financial and
environmental performances. Management also has a role in ensuring that the
goals for the EMS are clear and consistent with other organizational goals.
Management's commitment should be communicated across the organization.
Step
3: Select an EMS Champion: Not all small or medium-sized organizations have the
luxury of choosing among multiple candidates, but your choice of project
champion is critical. The champion should have the necessary authority, an
understanding of the organization, and project management skills.
Step
4: Build an Implementation Team: A team with representatives from key
management functions (such as engineering, finance, human resources, production
and/or service) can identify and assess issues, opportunities, and existing
processes. Include contractors, suppliers or other external parties as part of
the project team, where appropriate. The team will need to meet regularly,
especially in the early stages of the project. A cross-functional team can help
to ensure that procedures are practical and effective, and can build commitment
to, and "ownership" of, the EMS.
Step
5: Hold Kick-Off Meeting: Once the team has been selected, hold a kick-off
meeting to discuss the organization's objectives in implementing an EMS, the
initial steps that need to be taken and the roles of team members. If possible,
get top management to describe its commitment to the EMS at this meeting. The
kick-off meeting is also a good opportunity to provide some EMS training for
team members.
Step
6: Conduct Preliminary Review: The next step is for the team to conduct a
preliminary review of your current compliance and other environmental
programs/systems, and to compare these against the criteria for your EMS. Evaluate
your organization's structure, procedures, policies, environmental impacts,
training programs and other factors.
Step
7: Prepare Budget and Schedule: Based on the results of the preliminary review,
prepare a project plan and budget. The plan should describe in detail what key
actions are needed, who will be responsible, what resources are needed, and
when the work will be completed. Keep the plan flexible, but set some stretch
goals. Think about how you will maintain project focus and momentum over time.
Step
8: Secure Resources, Assistance: The plan and budget should be reviewed and
approved by top management. In some cases, there may be outside funding or
other types of assistance that you can use from a trade association, a state technical
assistance office, etc.
Step
9: Involve Employees: Ownership of the EMS will be greatly enhanced by
meaningful employee involvement in the EMS development process. Employees are a
great source of knowledge on environmental, and health and safety issues
related to their work areas as well as on the effectiveness of current
processes and procedures. These employees can help the project team in drafting
procedures.
Step
10: Monitor and Communicate Progress: As you build the EMS, be sure to
regularly monitor your progress against the goals and project plan, and
communicate this progress within the organization. Be sure to communicate the
accomplishments that have been made and describe what happens next. Build on
small successes. Be sure to keep top management informed and engaged,
especially if additional resources might be required.
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