ESOHCAMP assessment completed Published July 1, 2010 By Maj. Nancie Margetis 183rd Public Affairs ABRAHAM LINCOLN CAPITAL AIRPORT, Illinois -- The past few months the unit prepared for yet another inspection, the ESOHCAMP. Although it is actually an assessment, the unit once again demonstrated their professionalism and dedication receiving only two major write-ups. ESOHCAMP stands for Environmental, Safety, Occupational Health, Compliant Assessment and Management Program. The assessment considered 106 major environmental, occupational health, occupational safety, and weapons compliance categories, or protocols. Each protocol identifies several items: key Federal regulations; compliance concerns typical of State/local regulations; or Department of Defense (DOD), U.S. Air Force (USAF), and/or Air National Guard (ANG) regulations/instructions. A team of seven personnel from Science Applications International Corporation, contracted by National Guard Bureau, conducted a four-day environmental, safety and occupational health (ESOH) compliance assessment of the 183rd FW May 17-21. According to Lt. Col. Deborah Hamrick, Environmental Manager and team lead for the assessment, the ESOHCAMP is required once every three years and is conducted by an outside contractor. "It shows us where we are at in compliance in case a regulator would show up for a no-notice compliance inspection," she said. The base received only two major deficiencies in Environmental. Hamrick commented on the write-ups the unit received, "A major write-up is something that violates Federal, State and/or local regulations. The average write-ups that occur in the Guard right now are 15-20 major write-ups." She continued to add, "As stated by the contractor we (183rd FW) will receive our conformance certificate for Environmental Management Systems (EMS). We are only the second Guard base to receive conformance." Senior Master Sgt. Brian Willoughby, the unit's safety manager also played a vital role in the assessment. "There were two areas in safety that were assessed: occupational safety (otherwise known as "ground") and weapons safety. Occupational safety received 14 write-ups, one defined as serious, and 13 in the 'other' category. Weapons safety received only two minor write-ups," stated Willoughby. Overall, both Hamrick and Willoughby agreed that the unit is doing a great job when it comes to being good environmental stewards and paying attention to occupational and ground weapons safety. Hamrick would still like to remind us that, "Environmental is accomplished by all shops and personnel and I appreciate all the hard work." Willoughby dittos that, "Safety is also the responsibility for all personnel and sections. We need to continue in all areas so we stay prepared for our next inspection/assessment."