ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

CHECKING AND CORRECTIVE ACTION
The focus of any EMS is continual improvement. NASA is committed to continual improvement as evidenced by its EMS checking and corrective action processes. Opportunities for improvement in operations and management are brought to light through a process whereby problems are identified and the underlying causes are investigated, corrective and preventive actions are identified and implemented, and actions are tracked and their effectiveness is verified.

Monitoring and Measurement
One way in which the effectiveness of the NASA EMS is checked, is through monitoring of key activities and tracking of performance in relation to goals set during the planning phase. Centers are responsible for establishing and maintaining documented procedures to track, monitor, and measure the key characteristics of operations associated with EMS objectives and targets and high priority environmental aspects. Examples of procedures include:

• Standard Operating Procedures,
• Performance Plans, and
• Inspection Records.

Nonconformance, Corrective, and Preventive action
Following completion of an internal or external audit, a NASA Center may identify areas for improvement in: the operation of the system, the documentation of the EMS, or in environmental performance. In keeping with the initial goals of the management system, Centers strive to minimize nonconformance. Centers establish and maintain procedures for assigning responsibility and authority for identifying, handling, and investigating nonconformances.

As an example, a NASA Center may be required to change or update a process element of their EMS or provide additional training following a report of nonconformance. The identification of the problem allows NASA to work to develop a solution, correct the problem, and prevent reoccurrence.

Records
Records are maintained as part of the NASA EMS to ensure that it is implemented as designed. Each NASA Center maintains and manages records of EMS performance. Types of records that are maintained at the Centers include:

• Legal, regulatory, and other requirements;
• Results of environmental aspects identification;
• Reports of progress towards meeting objectives and targets;
• Training records;
• EMS audit reports;
• Reports of nonconformities and corrective and preventive actions taken;
• Results of management reviews;
• Communication logs of communication with external parties; and
• Equipment calibration records.

EMS Audit
NASA has a formal Agency-wide audit program in order to assess the EMS at each Center. NASA uses the audit to assess actual performance against identified policies, programs, objectives, and targets. The program provides feedback on EMS performance to each Center and is used at the NASA-wide level to assess performance and to identify issues possibly requiring an Agency-wide approach. EMS audit results are used in the Management Review process.

Centers also internally review their EMSs to encourage continual improvement. NASA conducts a compliance audit program in conjunction with the NASA-wide EMS audit program. Centers conduct a variety of compliance review and monitoring programs as a component of their monitoring and measurement activities.

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