RCRA Corrective Action Lean Effort
In an effort to improve the efficiency of the RCRA Corrective Action Cleanup Program, an analysis was led by EPA Regional 3 and 7 using the Lean process improvement system. Lean refers to a collection of principles and methods that focus on the systematic identification and elimination of non-value added activity involved in producing a product or delivering a service to customers.
RCRA Facility Investigation (RFI)
The first process selected for efficiency improvement within the Corrective Action program was the RCRA Facility Investigation (RFI), which surveys the nature and extent of contamination at a facility. It was determined that by removing various redundant steps within the RFI process and frontloading goals and expectations through a "Corrective Action Framework" (CAF), significant time savings can potentially be achieved. Currently, this process is being piloted in all EPA regions. Consistent with the Lean process, many of the tools below are living documents and will be updated as the implementation progresses. Below are the steps and tools used to create a CAF:
Setting Up a Corrective Action Framework Meeting
- CAF Guide (PDF) (3pp, 185Kb) – explains the RFI Lean process and should be distributed to all parties before the CAF meeting.
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CAF Meeting Agenda (PDF) (5pp, 201Kb) – a customizable document allowing the project managers to focus on the goals and expectations for facility investigation.
Drafting the Corrective Action Framework
- CAF Template (PDF) (10pp, 346Kb) - summarizes the goals and expectations discussed during the CAF meeting.