RE: The real definition -Reply

["Ralph E. Cooper, Ph.D." <rec3@po.cwru.edu>]

At 03:40 PM 5/5/97 -0400, David Williams wrote:

>What is important is getting
>individuals to think about P2 opportunities as part of their jobs and to 
>collectively make progress toward reducing all forms of pollution from
>manufacturing and R&D activities.

>In many respects, P2 has been a failure because those charged with
>promoting it have not been able to effectively demonstrate that it is just
>plain old good business and should not be viewed any differently than
>any other business function, such as paying taxes or performing QA/QC
>on raw materials.  Integrating P2 into business functions and not having it
>administered and championed as a separate, stand-alone program and
>process is probably the only way that the full benefits of this powerful
>idea will be realized.
>
>There are countless opportunities for integrating P2, as well as other
>EH&S issues, into business functions.  The key to success is identifying
>and seizing those opportunities.
>
>David Williams - Project Manager
>American Home Products Corporation
>1 Campus Drive
>Parsippany, NJ  07054
>(201) 683-2269
>Williad7@ahp.com 
>
I must second David's remarks.  To continue as a success, environmental
issues have to become a part of day-to-day management and supervisory
thinking, just as production, maintenance, employee performance,
profitability, etc.

I have been asked by entrepreneurs whether they should hire someone and give
them the EHS function.  I suggest that it will fail because they will not
listen to a newcomer!  Rather, take the trusted senior employee they talk
with daily, give them EHS and a clear P2 mandate, remove all other
responsibilities (except golf or fishing with the chairman), and provide
them with a fairly broad authority, and the program has taken the first
several steps toward great success.

Ralph

 
Ralph E. Cooper, Ph.D.
3475 Norwood, Suite N
Shaker Heights, OH 44122-4975
e-mail:	rec3@po.cwru.edu
Voice:	216-991-6837 (w/voice mail)
Fax:	216-991-6849