Talk:Chem395:February 22 discussion

This is the location for the first meeting of the Environmental Committee of Acme Chemical Company as part of the Chemistry 395 role playing scenario.

Date and time

Based on previous schedules, I'd suggest we meet at 2:00-3:00pm on Wednesday.

Agenda

The recent incident on the plant. Take a look at the newspaper story if you haven't seen it. The EPA people come here on Friday to look at environmental aspects of the incident, and I'd like your thoughts on what we should tell them. Bob will introduce this.

How can we put our environmental plans onto the fast track? I'd like to be able to tell the Chamber of Commerce folks next week that we are really a responsible company, and our plans should help. The main plans include looking at:

• Design for the environment (DFE)
• ISO 14000

In this meeting I'd like Chris to take the lead in talking about DFE, and Jesse should handle ISO 14000.

Discussion

We're about to start. If you have a minute, take a look at [this newspaper story - not good! Once everyone's here, I'll get the ball rolling then ask Bob to say a bit about what happened. Walkerma 13:57, 27 February 2008 (EST)

OK, let's get started. We have the press sensationalizing our recent incident, OSHA fining us, and now the EPA is breathing down our neck. We first have to figure out what to do. Jesse, Chris, are you here now? Walkerma 14:03, 27 February 2008 (EST)

I'm here Murphy44 14:02, 27 February 2008 (EST)

Here!J-Fed 14:04, 27 February 2008 (EST)

I feel we need to figure out what happened and what concerns if any the towns people should have and report this to the public so they know. Murphy44 14:06, 27 February 2008 (EST)

We could also plug our green project and let the people know that we are doing everything in our power to protect our workers and the surrounding environmentMurphy44 14:07, 27 February 2008 (EST)

myspacebardoesntwork!!!Ineedtoswitchcomputers.J-Fed 14:08, 27 February 2008 (EST)

We had an explosion in the reactor V388, while running the DMBTFE process. We introduced formal hazard assessments after the 1998 incident, but for some reason we missed this scenario. We're still figuring out the cause (see homework 2). Bob Johnson 14:08, 27 February 2008 (EST)

So, what do we tell the EPA? Walkerma 14:09, 27 February 2008 (EST)

This I feel is where we really need to push our new green initiative. After this incident the EPA will be watching us very closely so the greener we can be the faster we can regain their trust and prove to them that we really do have the environment in our best interest. Murphy44 14:11, 27 February 2008 (EST)

Yes, very true, we need all the brownie points we can get. Walkerma 14:13, 27 February 2008 (EST)

I feel that this could be a great way to jump on the EPA's Design for the environment project Murphy44 14:14, 27 February 2008 (EST)

Yes, I agree. The ISO certification that we are going for and the new initiatives the company is heading towards need to be put out to the public. The sooner we can become green, the better future the company has. J-Fed 14:15, 27 February 2008 (EST) 14:13, 27 February 2008 (EST)

I think we can tell them that in the short term we will make DMBTFE a priority for a fresh hazard assessment. Then over the next year or two, we can start work on making a greener version of this process, since I believe we're supposed to be getting orders for this compound for the next few years. Bob Johnson 14:15, 27 February 2008 (EST)

This sounds like a smart course of action Bob, the public also should know that DMTFE is our priority and is being reassessed as well. Murphy44 14:16, 27 February 2008 (EST)

OK, sounds good. I want to fast track these initiatives. At the last meeting we talked about Design for the Environment and ISO 14000. I'd like to have a provisional report on each by by March 21, and the final draft by Friday April 11, 2008. Can we do that? Walkerma 14:18, 27 February 2008 (EST)

Yes I will work on getting a committee together today to start researching what needs to be done for DFE project Murphy44 14:21, 27 February 2008 (EST)

Good point. Review the process and try to make it better. ISO 14000 is a series of standards, and guideline reference documents, which cover the following

   Environmental Management Systems
   Environmental Auditing
   Eco Labeling
   Life Cycle Assessment
   Environmental Aspects in Product Standards
   Environmental Performance Evaluation J-Fed 14:20, 27 February 2008 (EST)

Mine is on the ISO 14000? J-Fed 14:21, 27 February 2008 (EST)

I can gather the necessary people and materials, yes. How long is the report? J-Fed 14:22, 27 February 2008 (EST)

Yeah boss, what do you want to know from us in our reports? Murphy44 14:23, 27 February 2008 (EST)

Chris, it would be great if you can take on Design for the environment? Jesse, thanks for doing ISO 14000. It will be only around 1000 words, but it needs to be convincing. Walkerma 14:24, 27 February 2008 (EST)

Excellent that sounds very feasible to me a great step in the right direction. DFE has a great Integrated Environmental Management Systems (IEMS) Partnership that I think would fit ACME well. Murphy44 14:26, 27 February 2008 (EST)

In time we could even strive towards becoming a IEMS lead organization, then the EPA would be embracing us instead of breathing down our necksMurphy44 14:28, 27 February 2008 (EST)

Just that website? Do you want any other particular sources or anything? can w include any other information we feel is relevant? J-Fed 14:29, 27 February 2008 (EST)

(Sorry my phone rang) You will need to lay out the case, and explain how much it will cost (figuring out the time of all participants), then justify that cost with your projections. If it makes a net loss on paper, you have to show what "intangibles" such as good will would result. Walkerma 14:29, 27 February 2008 (EST)

You should include a simple budget break down - I can help you with that. Walkerma 14:30, 27 February 2008 (EST)

Ok,that sounds great! I'll get to work on that right away. If we find a sample of documents (budget ides etc) for this, can we use them at all?J-Fed 14:31, 27 February 2008 (EST)

Excellent I'm looking forward to getting the ball rolling towards Acme becoming integrated into the EPA's IEMS. Murphy44 14:34, 27 February 2008 (EST)

Sent through e-mail correct? lol J-Fed 14:32, 27 February 2008 (EST)

Include as many sources as you like! Those sources are just one starting place for each. For budgets, make sure you make it applicable to Acme. Send it to me via email. Walkerma 14:34, 27 February 2008 (EST)

Ok =]J-Fed 14:34, 27 February 2008 (EST)

OK then, email is the medium, I will keep you posted with any new news on this reportMurphy44 14:36, 27 February 2008 (EST)

Later on, after it's finished, I'd like it to end up here. Walkerma 14:35, 27 February 2008 (EST)

• Any numbers available currently that we can use to get started on this? J-Fed 14:36, 27 February 2008 (EST)

Would you also like my report to end up there? Or is there another destination for which you would like to see it? Murphy44 14:37, 27 February 2008 (EST)

The link that was just posted says ISO 14001. Is my paper on ISO 14000 alone or am I including some of the other ones? J-Fed 14:38, 27 February 2008 (EST)

The case we have to make is for ACME correct? I have to apply the ISO 14000 standards to the company, its profits, processes etc right? J-Fed 14:41, 27 February 2008 (EST)

Dr. Walker?

(My reply didn't post for some reason, sorry)

Chris, your report will have a separate page. I'll get an outline budget done very soon. Yes, it's very much tailored for Acme.

Chris, can you outline how we might be able to start a DFE program? Or do you need more time to research it? Can you give us an idea how you'll organize the task force? Walkerma 14:45, 27 February 2008 (EST)

This information is Directly off the EPA's Integrated Environmental Management Systems Partnership web site. Murphy44 14:46, 27 February 2008 (EST)

"DfE's IEMS can help companies, associations, federal agencies, and other organizations continue to meet environmental goals while becoming more competitive in the marketplace. Specifically, implementing an IEMS can help your organization:

• Consider and select cleaner technologies.

• Better manage the risk associated with using hazardous chemicals, both regulated and unregulated.

• Evaluate process and materials flows.

• Reduce cross-media environmental impacts.

• Use energy and other resources more efficiently.

• Practice extended product and process responsibility.

• Integrate environment and worker safety and health requirements.

• Conduct substitutes assessments that include full cost accounting."

OK, Chris, can you apply that more specifically to our situation at Acme? Walkerma 14:47, 27 February 2008 (EST)

Am I doing just ISO 14001 or all of the ISO 14000 standards? J-Fed 14:48, 27 February 2008 (EST)

Jesse, we'll discuss that part later. Walkerma 14:51, 27 February 2008 (EST)

Okies J-Fed 14:52, 27 February 2008 (EST)

Yes Sir, The above bulleted items are what need to be accomplished with in ACME to move towards this goal of IEMS. I would like to organize a task force broken down into teams of two that will be responsible to researching each of the above tasks and how to go about moving Acme in these directions. I would like to head up this task force and oversee the decisions being made to assure that they are both in compliance with the EPA's standards and in the best interest of this company. This project is to begin no later then March 21, 2008 when the initial report has been completed and approved by yourself. Murphy44 14:52, 27 February 2008 (EST)

OK, Chris. Feel free to create any pages you like in order to organize things, such as Chem395:DFE task forces, just make sure you put "Chem395:" in front of the name. Jesse, can you tell us your thoughts on ISO14001 for Acme, if you've had time to gather those thoughts? (Any other 14000s can come later) Walkerma 14:55, 27 February 2008 (EST)

Ok. My thoughts on the certification are that the ISO 14001 standard is welcomed for detailing the managerial/ work "arrangements" enable corporations to exercise effective control over the implementation of environmental policies. For ACME, the putative (money)benefits of these "arrangements" include the identification of the obstacles blocking policy implementation - organizational barriers, specification of realistic and monitorable goals and the means to align policies and programs with those goals, as well as the chemical processes ACME uses. The ISO 14001 outlines "risk avoidance" and places an emphasis on innovation and creativity. The ISO 14001 for ACME needs to incorporate participatory and more flexible systems of management. J-Fed 15:01, 27 February 2008 (EST)

Before we close, let me mention Martin asked me to organize a pilot trial of the "green" version of the TAC process for March. We lost the DTQ contract, so we have a six day slot available. Meanwhile, I'll get started on DMBTFE in the lab. Bob Johnson 15:03, 27 February 2008 (EST)

Thanks guys! Was that "flexible management" comment a dig at me, Jesse? Just joking! Let's end the meeting there, then, and email me any questions about the Acme case presentation. Walkerma 15:04, 27 February 2008 (EST)

A couple of non-Acme things:

• I'll be posting homework #3 late tonight, it's due at the end of next week.
• Jennifer Mitchell has written a wonderful guide to writing a paper, designed for this course! I'll post that soon. You should start work on writing your paper soon.

Do you have any questions? Walkerma 15:04, 27 February 2008 (EST)

None at this time, thanks for the email with Unit 5 slides attached. Murphy44 15:05, 27 February 2008 (EST)

Nope, thank you!! =] Have a great day! J-Fed 15:05, 27 February 2008 (EST)

Also, our next discussion is on Friday at 4pm, and will cover manufacturing (Unit 5). Walkerma 15:06, 27 February 2008 (EST)