Putting safety in your hands

KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, New Mexico -- Safety in the workplace has long been an issue in private industry, and that is not different in the Department of Defense. Air Force Materiel Command, including Team Kirtland, is involved in a new program, with the entire Air Force soon to follow, to minimize job site accidents and recognize superior performances in health and safety.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration established the Voluntary Protection Program in order to promote the safety of workers through active employee involvement. The program has been around since the 1980s in private industry and the Air Force recently became involved. AFMC already implemented VPP at five bases and the remaining AFMC bases are currently implementing the program.

The Air Force has work-related injury and illness rates below those of private industry but VPP will help to lower those rates even more, said Howard Bailey, Nuclear Weapons Center Safety office occupational safety and health specialist. Private companies that participate in the program have shown considerable decreases in workplace mishaps.

Kevin McDowell, also of NWC Safety, said that the secretary of defense mandated a 50 percent decrease in work-related incidents several years ago and that in 2005 there was a mandate for a 75 reduction in mishaps.

The key to VPP is employee involvement and ownership in the program, Mr. Bailey said. Ultimately, he said, VPP is taking the work of safety offices and putting that responsibility into the hands of employees while safety offices consult and facilitate safety programs. Under VPP, there will be a safety steering committee where best practices regarding safety will be implemented.

Mr. Bailey and Mr. McDowell said that VPP stays very close in line with the wingman mentality of Airmen looking out for one another because the program requires peer pressure in areas of safety to keep co-workers safe. Mr. Bailey said the program benefits everyone involved because employees are helping to keep everyone in the workplace safe.

During the first week of August, there will be an engagement visit that will serve as an advisement for commanders and personnel on base on what VPP is and what participating in the program means for the base. Two weeks later there will be an assessment visit that will consist of surveys, interviews and tours of facilities by VPP Star Site representatives accompanied by Air Force personnel. The initial visits will only affect NWC organizations.

Under VPP, there are levels that sites can achieve based on performance. Once a site achieves Star status, employees are eligible to become representatives that take part in inspection visits at other locations.

"The great thing about VPP is that you are evaluated by your peers," Mr. McDowell said.

Mr. Bailey said that between now and August there will be training sessions and education about the program and how to keep the workplace safe. He said that the Star Program typically takes three years to obtain.

Mr. McDowell said that the goal is for all units, including tenant units and contractors, to become Star Sites. Participating private industry sites have already seen great reduction in work-related accidents.

For more information about VPP and representative training, contact Mr. Bailey at 846-9088 or Mr. McDowell at 853-0269.