NAVAIR Depot, North Island created an Environmental Improvement Team (EIT) which is a key component of the continual improvement process. The EIT has been instrumental in a culture change that empowers all employees to improve the environment. The EIT includes representatives from Environmental, Safety, Equipment Management, Equipment Design, Facilities, Process Engineering, Materials Lab and Public Relations. The EIT provides links to all the shop and shop support areas to identify and assess environmental improvement projects, while ensuring that environmental and safety compliance are maintained. The duties of the EIT include:

• Identify improvement projects for environmental and safety compliance areas (satisfies Navy EQI).
• Identify improvement projects to reduce the major pollution streams identified in the P2 Plan.
• Review and provide feedback for the improvement projects identified by the shop areas (the loop is now closed between the environmental program and the shops by the structure of the EMS).
• Evaluate and prioritize all the proposed improvement projects
• Write detailed point papers that include a life cycle cost assessment (including compliance cost avoidance factors) for selected priority proposed improvements.
• Present point papers to management.
• Make budget decisions to implement the selected improvement projects when directed by functional area management, and upper management.

In the "old days," NAVAIR Depot North Island's Pollution Prevention Team selected projects for implementation without input from the shops. For example, the P2 Team decided to install a Cold Vaporization Unit (CVU) in a shop to recycle large volume process solutions. The effort was not successful. Shop personnel opposed the project based on their perception that their job was rebuilding components, not recycling rinse water. The end result was antagonism between shop personnel and the environmental staff.

Since the implementation of the EMS, the Environmental Improvement Team incorporates awareness of the perspectives of multiple organizations into the approach to new projects. This inclusive approach allows the Shops to participate as partners in continual improvement. The EIT presents proposed changes in terms of benefits for the Shop and for NAVAIR Depot North Island, based on awareness of potential production process impacts. Shop Personnel are encouraged to bring to the EIT ideas to reduce environmental impacts, cut costs, improve quality and make their jobs easier. For example, Shop staff requested purchase of a Laser Pointer for the paint spray gun. The EIT worked with them to purchase the equipment, arrange for training, and track the results. Everyone was pleased to learn that the Laser Pointer transfers 10% more paint to the part and produces a higher quality result, reducing the need for rework.

The synergy created by the Environmental Improvement Team has resulted in increased efficiency, cost savings, and improved product quality. These results highlight the benefits of the EMS

NAVAIR Depot North Island plans to align its EMS with its Quality Management System at which time the EIT will become the Process Improvement Team- tasked with a process-based approach to continuous improvement within an integrated management system.

NAVAIR provides advanced warfare technology to the American war fighter. Located in eight sites around the country, NAVAIR provides precision naval aviation technologies in sensors, aircraft, weapons, training, launch and recovery systems and communication. NAVAIR warfare technology is delivering transformational service to the Navy, to all other Department of Defense services, as well as military organizations of allies around the world.

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