2009 ESOHCAMP highlights Tyndall compliance Published Aug. 14, 2009 By Staff Sgt. Joshua Stevens 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Officials from Air Education and Training Command finished a week-long Environmental, Safety and Occupational Health Compliance Assessment and Management Program inspection during an out-brief at the 325th Air Control Squadron Auditorium Aug. 14. Teddy James, AETC Headquarters ESOHCAMP and environmental management system manager, delivered the out-brief to base leadership and management. "I have several assessors on my team who were here the last time Tyndall was inspected, and they feel the base is in much better shape," he said. "Of particular importance, Tyndall was recognized for being the very first base in AETC to receive zero findings against its hazardous materials programs -- the first." The ESOHCAMP inspection team reviewed Tyndall's EMS to determine how the base is complying with federal, state and local regulations and permits, as well as Air Force instructions. Overall, Tyndall received a healthy rating, with the majority of mark-ups landing in the minor category. Criteria used for this assessment include three categories of negative findings, significant, major and minor in addition to positive and management practice findings. Findings listed in all categories are calculated and used for an installation's overall rating. No findings at Tyndall were found to be "significant." Outstanding performers were showcased and awarded during the out-brief and include: Gary Gatewood, 325th Maintenance Group Gary Johnson, 325th MXG Roger Sweat, 325th Force Support Squadron Ted Broome, 325th Civil Engineer Squadron Edwin Wallace, 325th CES In addition, Senior Airman Amanda Stiffler, 325th Maintenance Squadron, was recognized as Best of the Assessment. Unlike an Operational Readiness Inspection, the ESOHCAMP team was not here to "give out tickets" for problems, but rather, with a goal of helping Team Tyndall find and correct problems that could cause or contribute to regulatory violations or fines. If resources are needed to help correct a deficiency, the ESOHCAMP team can help validate the problem and lend support to a request for resources, according to CES officials. The protocols evaluated include air emissions, cultural resources, hazardous waste, hazardous materials, water quality, solid waste, wastewater, natural resources, pesticides, petroleum, oil and lubricants, storage tanks, toxic substances, blood borne pathogens, confined space entry, ionizing radiation, hazardous communication, laboratory practices and other issues involving radon, polychlorinated biphenyls and asbestos. Many of these protocols across the base were recognized for zero findings, the only area of concern fell to documentation in management systems. Corrective actions are already underway. The base was also recognized for the AETC special interest item "use of florescent light bulbs." Tyndall's concentrated efforts to utilize them resulted in zero findings against the installation, Mr. James said. "I'm very proud and want to thank everyone who participated in this year's ESOHCAMP inspection, especially the key players and superior performers," said Col. Bradley McCoy, 325th Fighter Wing vice commander. "It's never easy to have an inspection team come to your base, but we've looked at our programs here often and early, and when the team came in, we got the results we knew we would. Any findings that were found simply give us the opportunity to make the base even better."