Original Date: 02/10/2003
Revision Date: 01/18/2007

Based on past compliance with the State of Alabama’s laws and regulations, internal proactive environmental policies and procedures, and experience in preparing and receiving ISO 9000 certification, Bender Shipbuilding and Repair Company, Inc. is positioned to satisfy the requirements for ISO 14000 environmental certification.

For the past 10 years, Bender Shipbuilding and Repair Company, Inc. has had operating permits from the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) for the clean air and water acts and the federal solid and hazardous waste laws. ADEM administers the state environmental laws and regulations that are equivalent to Federal standards. With these permits in hand and the experience of ISO 9001 certification, Bender is now pursuing the goal of being one of the first U.S. shipyards to receive ISO 14000 environmental certification.

ISO 14000 requires an organization to have an environmental policy fully supported by senior management and outlining the policies of the company to the staff and to the public. The policy must clarify compliance with environmental legislation that may affect the organization and stress a commitment to continuous improvement. Certification also requires the development of Significant Environmental Aspects (SEAs), defined as any element of an organization’s activities, products, or services that can interact with the environment. This requires identification of any activity, product, or service that may be a source of potential environmental pollutants. The company must report quantities of releases and waste for each source, environmental impact, evaluation of impact, and documentation.

Bender has a management review team, made up of senior level officers and managers, who meet monthly to review and sign off policies and procedures, review waste cost and impacts, establish training criteria for all employees, review inspection logs and continuous process improvement initiatives, and oversee the safety and environmental awards program. All employees and on-site subcontractors receive training, which is updated continuously and provided regularly. A team of safety and quality assurance inspectors performs yard surveys and inspections, reports discrepancies, evaluates severity, and meets with the review board for action. Significant environmental activities are being studied in the areas of abrasive blasting, pressure washing, spray painting, and oil transfer. Waste minimization throughout the shipyard is constantly reviewed for storage, disposal, and reuse as well as the introduction of new products and new technology to minimize environmental pollutants.

Bender’s final hurdle is implementing the SEA portion of the ISO 14000 certification requirements, at which time the company can begin internal audits and arrange for certification. Bender expects to benefit from ISO 14000 certification by improving its competitive advantage in the global marketplace and creating a safe and green environment for its employees and community.

For more information see the Point of Contact for this survey.