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NEMS Activities
NEMS Activities List
An environmental activity is a broad term for any activity, operation, product, process, or service that can interact with the environment or public health. In line with the ISO 14001 standard process for Environmental Management Systems, the NEMS has established a list of NIH Environmental Activities that have potential impact on the environment. The NEMS Activities list works hand in hand with the concepts of NIH Environmental Aspects and Impacts, as shown in this example:
Example: Cage washing is an example of a NEMS “Activity.” The Activity of cage washing is linked to the “Aspect” of water consumption, because water consumption is a means by which cage washing interacts with the environment. One potential environmental “Impact” of cage washing is natural resource (water) depletion, which is caused by the water consumption Aspect of the cage washing Activity.
By identifying these Activities, Aspects, and Impacts, the NEMS provides a framework for addressing them and minimizing potential negative impacts.
NEMS Activities are listed below:
| ANIMAL CARE | BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING | BULK CHEMICAL STORAGE/ GAITHERSBURG WAREHOUSE | CLINICAL CENTER/HOSPITAL | FACILITY CONSTRUCTION/ RENOVATION/DECOMMISSIONING |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Animal Husbandry Animal Surgery Bedding Storage, and Disposal Cage Washing Feeding Food Storage | Instrument Fabrication Instrument Loaner and Maintenance Operation | Receiving and Distribution of Chemicals Onsite Storage | Biological Materials Use, Storage and Transportation Chemical Use, Storage and Transportation Imaging (x-ray, CAT scans, etc.) Morgue and Autopsy Occupational Medicine Services Patient Care Patient Transportation Radioactive Isotope Use, Storage, and Transportation Surgery Testing Vaccine Programs | Campus Master Planning Decommissioning Demolition Laboratory moves New Building Construction New Building Design Pre-Project Planning Renovation Site Work (digging, grading, paving, etc.) Toxic Material Removal (asbestos, lead-based paint, etc.) Use of Port-a-potties and trailers Utilities Work |
| FACILITY OPERATIONS | FIRE ACTIVITIES | FOOD SERVICE AND SALES | FUEL STORAGE AND TRANSFER | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Building Maintenance HVAC for NIH Campus HVAC for residences Operation of Buildings Operation of Co-generation Unit Operation of Utility Plant Substations Use of Boilers Use of Chillers Use of Cooling Towers Use of Emergency Generators (portable/stationary) | Detonation Chamber Use Emergency Response Activities Evacuation Explosion Fire Fighting Fire Training Haz Mat Response and Clean-Up Maintenance of fire equipment and systems Vehicles (washing, etc.) | Cleaning Cooking Dish Washing Grease Storage and Traps Heating Receiving to Loading Docks Refrigeration Styrofoam Use | Bulk Fuel Storage (USTs, ASTs, and temp tanks) Bulk Fuel Transfer During Fill/Dispensing Operations Re-Fueling of Vehicles LABORATORIES Bio-containment (Levels 2, 3 & 4) Biological Materials Use, Storage and Transportation Chemical Use, Storage and Transportation Computer Use Decontamination and sterilization DI System (Deionized Water) Equipment Cooling Fume Hood Use Heavy Metals Use (dental lab) Human Tissue Pathology/Histology Imaging (x-ray, CAT scans, etc.) Lab Equipment Purchase and Use Maintenance of equipment Photodevelopment Radioactive Isotope Use, Storage, and Transportation Refrigeration Tissue Culture Use of electromagnetic radiation equipment Vacuum pumps Waste Handling | |
| LANDSCAPING AND GROUNDS MAINTENANCE | MAIL SERVICES/ SHIPPING | MOTORPOOL/USE OF VEHICLES | OFFICES | PERSONAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest Conservation Ice and Snow Control Irrigation Landscape Construction and Plantings Parking Lot Maintenance Pest Management Storm Water Management (structures) Stream Bank Stabilization Tree and Stump and Removal Turf Maintenance | Animal Shipping and Receiving Biological Screening Magnatometer/X-ray Package Shipping and Receiving Use of Vehicles | Commercial Vehicle Inspection Parking of Vehicles Transportation within NIH Transportation to NIH Use of Construction Vehicles and Equipment | Use of Bathrooms Use of Office Equipment (computers, copiers, fax machines, printers) | Moving Furniture and Equipment Receiving and Surplusing of Furniture and Equipment Store and Process Furniture and Equipment |
| PHARMACY | PROCUREMENT | RENTAL BUILDINGS | SECURITY | SHOP ACTIVITIES |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drug Dispensing Operations | Procurement of Chemicals Procurement of Computers Procurement of Equipment Procurement of Office Supplies | Real Estate Acquisition and Leasing | Dog Care Vehicle Inspection Weapons Cleaning | Electrical Work Fabrication Metal Working Painting Plumbing Refrigeration Solvent Use Woodworking |