Environmental Management System
The Laboratory’s Environmental Management System (EMS) is fully integrated into the Laboratory’s Integrated Safety Management System (ISMS). The Laboratory’s EMS is based on ISO14001:2004 standards and applicable DOE directives.
The Laboratory’s EMS is effective according to the EMS Self-Assessment performed on December 14, 2010. Environmental aspects do not drastically change at the Laboratory. However, there are systems in place to adequately detect new environmental aspects and impacts should they arise.
The Laboratory has an Environmental Management System Steering Committee that consists of researchers, safety personnel, facilities personnel, transportation and procurement personnel. This group is tasked with recommending energy savings goals and the prevention of pollution for the Laboratory. These recommendations are tracked in a database (Ames Laboratory Corrective Action Tracking System – ALCATS) for completeness. Energy usage was determined to be the significant aspect (largest impact on the environment) for the Laboratory. The Laboratory has taken measures (i.e. facility upgrades, education, reduced lighting strategies) to reduce energy and continues to look at other areas of energy conservation.
Links to related documents:
Charter 10200.001, Environmental Management System Steering Committee
Guide 10200.006, EMS Awareness Training
Guide 10200.009, Environmental Management System
Plan 10200.016, Rev 1, ISMS and Worker Safety and Health Program Description
