Communicating (Internally & Externally)
The EMS must include procedures for communicating between levels and functions inside the organization and for receiving, documenting and responding to communications form outside the organization. Employees throughout the entire organization will be involved in developing, implementing and maintaining the EMS. Consequently, effective internal communication requires mechanisms for information to flow top-down and bottom-up. You will also need to consider whether to communicate your significant environmental impacts to neighbors, community groups and document your decision.
- The EMS should include procedures for:
- Communicating internally between levels and functions within the organization
- Soliciting, receiving, documenting and responding to external communications
What gets communicated?
- Environmental policy to all employees (and available to the public)
- Objectives and targets
- Legal and other requirements
- Requirements to suppliers and contractors
- Roles and Responsibilities
What’s needed?
- Procedures for receiving, documenting and responding to relevant communication from external interested parties
- Procedures for internal communication between the various “levels and functions of the organizations”
Getting Started
- Build on existing lines of communication
- Who are our key internal and external stakeholders and what are their concerns?
- What do we need to communicate to them about our operations, management efforts and how can we best reach them?
- Plan messages that are simple, clear, and concise.