An organization should ensure that all individuals who work for or on behalf of it are aware of the requirements of the EMS and the importance of adhering to the organization's environmental policy. These individuals should also be made aware of the organization's significant environmental aspects and resulting impacts, and how their work activites relate to them. Finally, they should be made aware of the benefits of improved environmental performance and the consequences of deviating from the EMS requirements.

Region 7 has developed a comprehensive procedure to ensure that all employees, on-site contractors and grantees are properly trained in EMS concepts. Through this procedure, we provide general awareness training to all new employees, onsite contractors and grantees that introduces them to basic EMS and Safety and Health Management System (SHMS) concepts and how they are implemented in the Region's two managment systems. In addition, all employees and on-site contractors and grantees receive periodic EMS refresher training that reinforces the basic concepts and provides an update on EMS changes from the previous cycle. Finally, individuals who perform duties specifically related to the on-going maintenance of the management system (i.e., auditors and management program leads) receive periodic competency training related to those duties. If you have questions about the Region's operational controls, please contact the Region 7 Interim EMS Coordinator, David Pratt.

• Operating Procedure for Awareness and Competence Training of the Region 7 EMS (PDF)(7 pp, 40 K, February 3, 2010)
• Refresher Training for the Region 7 EMS, FY 2014-2015 (PDF)(10 pp, 889 K)
• Safety, Health, and Environmental Management System General Awareness Training for Region 7 (PDF)(41 pp, 3 MB, 03/09/2015)