Battalion earns international certificates
Safety office protects workers’ health, safety

The 415th Base Support Battalion recently proved it’s a good steward of the environment, while its safety office showed that they proactively protect the health and safety of their workforce.

The battalion earned the Environmental Management System according to International Standard Organization 14001:2004 certification in May. This is a three-year certification that is an international standard for environmental management and processes.

“We did this to prove that our system is properly implemented and working inside the 415th BSB,” said Hans Betzhold, 415th BSB Environmental Management Office chief. “This certification guarantees the good cooperation with authorities and increases our outward image.”

Also in May, the 415th BSB Safety Office and occupational health nurse garnered the international recognized Occupational Safety and Health Management System 18001:1999. This is also a three-year certification that states the office’s management system is proactively protecting the health and safety of its workforce.

“An OHSAS 18001 management system is a statement to your employees, customers, suppliers, stakeholders and community that your company has done everything in its power to reduce health and safety risks,” said Melissa A. Hastings, 415th BSB safety manager.

The battalion and its safety office worked for a year to meet the standards for their international certifications.

Henning von Knobelsdorff, from an environmental agency in Bonn, Germany, verified that the battalion met the criteria for the environmental standard and that its safety office met the health and safety standard.