Selecting a "Fenceline"
When an organization implements an EMS it has to make the decision where the EMS will apply. This area or operation is commonly referred to as the “fenceline”. An EMS can be applied to any operation or activity. There are a couple of factors that need to be taken into consideration. When the fenceline is established, the organization needs to only consider those activities, products or services that it can control and over which it can be expected to have an influence. This directly applies to the activity of identifying environmental aspects and impacts which is discussed later.
It has been the experience of some local governments to select an operation or department as a pilot fenceline. Starting with a smaller section of the organization can be more manageable. Lessons learned, keys to success and good practices can then be captured and applied as the scope of the EMS is expanded to additional operations in the organization.
It is critical to provide department managers in the fenceline with a clear understanding of the EMS process and its priority to the organization in order to gain their support in gathering information. In GETF's two EMS initiatives, many of the participants initially defined project fencelines that were too large and had to be scaled back. All of the participants recommended starting small, and adding more departments and facilities as EMS experience and expertise grows.
Lessons Learned
- Define a fenceline that is manageable
- Fully brief department managers on the EMS implementation process
Next - Identifying an Environmental Management Representative