Environmental Management Systems: Tools
We have developed a proprietary software application called First Environment /E.D.G.E™ that supports EH&S management systems. When the application is linked into a Geographic Information System (GIS) application, relevant information from multiple sources regarding a particular facility’s locations or operations can be consolidated and easily accessed.
The application is a tool for the identification, evaluation and management of environmental aspects and impacts and health and safety risks associated with an organization’s activities, products, or services. The software consists of four linked segments for entering data, each segment representing a vital facet of the EMS.
Much of the data to be input is in the form of pop-down menus and checkboxes, which can be customized to the client’s specific circumstances and also ensures consistency across the facility or organization. Once the information has been entered into the application, it may be sorted in various ways for review and evaluation.
E.D.G.E. is designed to support management systems that conform to the ISO 14001-1996 International Standard for Environmental Management Systems (ISO 14001) but can be easily modified to support health and safety systems or integrated systems. The application is particularly helpful for facilities or medium sized corporations as it operates in the Microsoft windows environment and uses MS Access and ArcView applications.
We have developed an aspect impact database that facilitates the collection and management of EMS information in an efficient and consistent manner. The database allows information regarding divisions or function areas, activities, products and services, aspects and impacts and significance to be readily entered, updated, sorted,and reported in a user-friendly electronic environment.
Aspect Impact Database
Separate modules allow the user to effectively track non-conformances and implemented resolutions, as well as objective and targets and their associated EMS programs. We can customize the database to fit any industry by developing additional modules to support industry-specific regulatoryrequirements. The database is linked to a GIS application so that the information in the database can be illustrated graphically.
