ISO 14001 4.3.3 Management Program Targets Achieved - Now what?

[Kimmy]

What does everyone do when the target for a set management program has been achieved? For instance, we set and achieved a goal to reduce a hazardous waste stream by a certain percentage. Do we now edit the goal to maintain that reduced level or do we remove the management program all together?

Thanks.

 

[db]

It all depends on you. I had one client who had a program to improve the cover on the metal chip dumpsters to prevent rain water runoff. Once that was completed to their satisfaction, they closed it and created a program for another aspect that was not as critical.

In your case, you have several choices. You could see if you can reduce it even more (continual improvement). You might also want to go into monitoring mode to ensure it stays down. Or you might want to look at alternative to get rid of the aspect altogether.

My doc says I have to lose weight. Once I get to my target weight. What do I do? I can try to lose even more, or I could monitor to make sure I don't gain any back, or I could monitor and also find some other health related goal. The important thing is to improve.

 

[insect warfare]

It all depends on you. I had one client who had a program to improve the cover on the metal chip dumpsters to prevent rain water runoff. Once that was completed to their satisfaction, they closed it and created a program for another aspect that was not as critical.

In your case, you have several choices. You could see if you can reduce it even more (continual improvement). You might also want to go into monitoring mode to ensure it stays down. Or you might want to look at alternative to get rid of the aspect altogether.

My doc says I have to lose weight. Once I get to my target weight. What do I do? I can try to lose even more, or I could monitor to make sure I don't gain any back, or I could monitor and also find some other health related goal. The important thing is to improve.

Nicely put, DB. Good advice indeed...

What does everyone do when the target for a set management program has been achieved? For instance, we set and achieved a goal to reduce a hazardous waste stream by a certain percentage. Do we now edit the goal to maintain that reduced level or do we remove the management program all together?

Thanks.

Like DB stated, some O&T's can be sustained or maintained. Others can be improved upon. But all of your O&T's should profit from an acceptable level of monitoring, and (where needed) action. But since you are dealing with things like hazardous waste, I would suggest that you ensure that you remain within legal compliance, and keep a watchful eye nonetheless in the event that past occurrences comes back to haunt you.

Brian

 

[db]

One other thing (I don't know why Brian's post reminded me of this). If you keep a matrix or an aspect list, make sure also update with the completion of your programs. ISO 14001 requires you to keep your aspect information up to date and updating the list is easily overlooked. And while you are at it, make it an agenda item in your Management Review meeting (assuming you use a meeting).

A lot of the standard is interconnected and you have to make your follow the connections.

 

[Kimmy]

Thanks for the responses everyone.