KEEP YOUR EMS MANUAL SIMPLE

Organizations that develop and implement a Biosolids Environmental Management System (EMS) to meet the National Biosolids Partnerships EMS for Biosolids expectations are required to prepare documentation to describe their EMS. This description includes the policy, practices, operating instructions and other supporting documents and records required for the EMS. An “EMS Manual” is typically used to provide and/or reference this information.An effective EMS Manual can be useful in describing EMS processes and procedures and their interaction. Documented EMS procedures help in describing how the EMS functions so the EMS principles can be applied consistently throughout the organization. EMS records, a sub-set of the EMS documentation, are useful in assessing EMS effectiveness and demonstrating conformance with requirements.Too often, organizations that develop an environmental management system prepare long and involved EMS procedures that are too complex to understand and follow, or do not truly represent what is actually being done. The keys to preparing effective EMS documentation are to make the documents simple and ensure they reflect actual practices.This paper will discuss how to prepare a useful EMS Manual for describing how the environmental management system functions and how to maintain records needed to ensure the EMS functions effectively.