July 6, 2004
Dear Vendor/Supplier:
General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (Niceville), Inc. (GD-OTS, Healdsburg) is committed to implementing an Environmental Health & Safety Management System (EHSMS). This effort is focused on incorporating environmental health and safety into all aspects of our products, processes and activities. These efforts are intended to comply with the voluntary standards of ISO 14001 & OSHAS 18001. GD-OTS, Healdsburg's environmental health and safety policy provides the framework for the EHSMS (see Enclosure). Currently, GD-OTS, Healdsburg is working towards worldwide registration under the new international standards for environmental health and safety management system, ISO 14001 & OSHAS 18001.
ISO 14001 & OSHAS 18001 are voluntary standards that identify the elements of an EHSMS necessary for an organization to effectively manage its impact on the environmental health and safety of its products, processes and activities. The ultimate objective of these standards is to integrate EHSMS into an organization's overall business processes and systems so that environmental health and safety considerations are a routine factor in business decisions, recognizing that good environmental health and safety management makes good business sense.
GD-OTS, Healdsburg's commitment to environmental health and safety leadership includes doing business with suppliers and vendors that view environmental, and health and safety as a central business responsibility. Our contracts require that you comply with all applicable EH&S laws and regulations in the work you do for GD-OTS, Healdsburg.The company is investigating opportunities to further integrate sound environmental health and safety management practices throughout its supply and vendor chain.
GD-OTS, Healdsburg encourages you to align your EHSMS with the requirements of ISO 14001 and OSHAS 18001 and to pursue registration under these international standards. This message comes in light of the increasing worldwide interest in environmental health and safety affairs and as part of GD-OTS, Healdsburg's overall 14001/18001 strategy. We are interested in doing business with responsible suppliers and vendors that have integrated sound EH&S practices into all elements of their business.We also believe that 14001/18001 registrations can be of benefit to you and your organization.
What are ISO 14001 and OSHAS 18001?
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has been working for several years on the development of a series of standards on environmental management systems which are patterned after the now familiar ISO 9000 standards on Quality. The Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series specification (OHSAS 18001) was developed as an occupational health and safety system standard against which their management systems can be assessed and certified. These standards (ISO and OHSAS) have been designed to focus on the management system which organizations employ to assure sound EH&S business practices. They are initiatives intended to benefit industry around the world by establishing a basis with consistency and commitment to environmental health and safety quality. In addition, it is thought the ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 standards, rather than multiple national standards, will reduce the potential for environmental health and safety trade barriers.
The first standard in this series, ISO 14001, was released in September of 1996 and OSHAS 18001 in 1999. Together, they focus on the elements of an organization's Environmental Health and Safety Management System (EHSMS) and a voluntary registration process similar to that employed with ISO 9000 for Quality Management Systems.
The EHSMS and Management Team at GD-OTS, Healdsburg encourage your company, as a key vendor or supplier to us to pursue registration under these international standards. It makes good business sense.
If you have any questions or would like further information regarding GD-OTS, Healdsburg's efforts at registration under the ISO 14001 & OSHAS 18001 standards, please direct your inquiries to our Environmental Health and Safety Management System Representative, Mike Scrobonia at (707) 473-2244.
Rich Schroeder
General Manager
General Dynamics OTS - Healdsburg Operations
Environmental, Health, & Safety Policy
General Dynamics OTS (Niceville), Inc. - Healdsburg Operations is committed to protecting human health, natural resources, and the environment of our community. This dedication reaches beyond compliance with the law to encompass the integration of sound environmental, health, and safety practices into our business planning, decisions and execution of our processes. It is our commitment to:
w Comply with all applicable environmental, health, and safety laws and regulations; apply responsible standards where laws and regulations do not exist; and comply with other environmental, health and safety requirements to which General Dynamics subscribes.
w Use manufacturing processes that do not adversely impact the environment, while continually improving our processes and technologies to
o minimize waste;
o reduce air, water, and other pollution;
o minimize health and safety risks; and
o dispose of waste safely and responsibly.
w Conserve our natural resources by reusing and recycling materials, purchasing recycled materials, and using recyclable packaging and other materials.
w Actively educate our employees in the use of leading environmental, health, and safety work practices and equipment.
w Encourage our employees to have respect for the environment and the welfare of others.
w Require employees to follow this policy and report all concerns to GD-OTS Management,
w Respond promptly to issues and concerns brought to Management attention.
w Conduct periodic audits of GD-OTS conformance with this policy and measure the progress of our performance against the established goals, objectives and targets.
GD-OTS Healdsburg's defense products help to ensure that those who serve in defense of our country will return home safely. This policy is intended to ensure that all GD-OTS Healdsburg employees also return home safely, while having an active role in protecting the environment and keeping each other safe in the workplace.