Are you looking for a tool to help your company manage environmental requirements? Check out the free resources on AGC’s EMS Toolkit. AGC now provides construction companies with a new online toolkit with resources for developing an environmental program or an environmental management system (EMS) that supports environmental compliance and the achievement of company objectives or environmental goals. The EMS Toolkit provides two guides for developing environmental programs or management systems, links to government and other resources and case studies. All of the resources are free to download and use. The first guide is a short, reader-friendly overview of developing an environmental program with tips demonstrating three levels of complexity depending on what would best suit an individual company: the Environmental Program Guide. The second guide is an in-depth resource that gives instruction on developing a comprehensive environmental management system (EMS): the AGC EMS Guide.
Representatives from Ames Construction, Granite Construction, Lane Construction and Zachry Construction debut the new Environmental Program Guide during a panel discussion moderated by a volunteer from Clark Construction. Location: 2014 AGC Contractors Environmental Conference.
AGC member volunteers added valuable input to the development of both guides to help construction firms adopt environmental programs. AGC members developed the draft 2014 Environmental Program Guide, and a panel of members introduced the guide at AGC Contractors Environmental Conference on June 12-13, 2014. The Environmental Program Guide is centered on the concept of an EMS, as well. It contains guidelines for several areas, including policy, legal, resources, training, and document control and auditing, as well as EMS design considerations and a self-assessment tool for organizations. The guide acknowledges that different contractors have varying needs of a management program depending on their size, the nature of the work they perform, and environmental risk associated with the work. A task force of AGC members developed the comprehensive AGC EMS Guide with input from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2004. This is the first time the AGC EMS Guide is available free of charge. The AGC EMS Guide provides guidance on developing a robust EMS that aligns with the most widely adopted EMS industry standard: ISO 14001:2004. (ISO 14001 is undergoing revision and a new version is expected in 2015.) AGC recognizes that ISO certification is not common, or even necessary, for most EMSs in the construction industry; a contractor can use the AGC EMS Guide without pursuing certification. The AGC EMS Guide also provides templates a contractor can customize to suit their company. AGC hopes members will find the EMS Toolkit a helpful resource; and AGC will continue to develop the resources provided. If you have any questions, please contact AGC’s Melinda Tomaino at tomainom@agc.org or (703) 837-5415.