Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Achieves OSHA "Star" Status

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNS) held a special ceremony to celebrate its membership as a "Star" site in the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) March 25. More than one thousand shipyard employees and local citizens attended.

PNS earned "Star" status, OSHA's top safety classification, after undergoing a rigorous OSHA audit showing that its safety programs and practices reached high levels of excellence in workplace health and safety and an accident rate well below the national average.

"In a most complex environment, a look at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard's safety program is very telling," said Vice Adm. Phillip M. Balisle, commander, the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA). "One sees a safety program that in the last several years has reduced injury compensation costs by more than $1.5 million, that has earned the Secretary of the Navy's and Chief of Naval Operations Installation Excellence Awards for Safety and that has made Portsmouth the safest of our Navy's four safety-conscious shipyards."

"I see an organization whose lifeblood program--its safety program--is making great strides. It is taking care of its people and those people in turn are producing our ships at lower costs, on short timelines, and at a standard setting quality of excellence," Balisle said.

He added, "Portsmouth, in its 'One Shipyard' capacity, is the lead yard for the 688 Class submarine, and you are propagating many of those good practices far beyond your fence line. As the commander of the NAVSEA, my message is this: Bravo Zulu. You've got it right! You're setting a great standard for yourselves, for your fellow shipyards, for NAVSEA, and in fact, for all those in the Department of Defense that look at this 'Star' award, and say, if we want to treat safety correctly, lets go visit those folks at PNS."

"One Shipyard" is NAVSEA's maintenance approach that leverages the resources and infrastructure of the Navy's public and private shipyards to sustain fleet readines while providing workforce stability and safety.

"Eighteen months ago, inspired by a rousing VPP kickoff ceremony, we embarked on a journey of personal ownership for our safety performance to protect our greatest resource--our workforce," said Capt. Jonathan Iverson, PNS Commander. "Today we are being recognized for significant improvements in our safety practices. To the dedicated men and women of Portsmouth Naval Shipyard--hats off for a job well done!"

The shipyard kicked off its VPP in September 2003. Since then, there have been numerous meetings, safety awareness programs, articles and training implemented. Successful safety initiatives include the "find-it-fix it" program, personal responsibility for safety, more involvement by supervisors and safety specialists, PNS's safety hotline to report unsafe practices, safety suggestion boxes and incentives for shop safety and safe workers.

"As a 'Star' site you serve as a model for excellence in safety and health," said Jonathan Snare, Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA. "We are pleased to recognize your outstanding achievement. Just 18 months ago, you made your commitment to aim for VPP. I'm delighted to present the flag that proclaims your success. Congratulations on your achievement! You've demonstrated that you have what it takes to achieve superior results."

PNS reduced its lost workday rate by approximately 50 percent, and had a 10 percent decrease in injuries each year while going down the VPP path. PNS has rates for serious injuries that are 23 percent below the industry average for shipbuilding and repair. The total injury and illnesses are one-third lower than the industry average.

Connie DeWitte, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Safety, added, "What a remarkable achievement. The Secretary of the Navy and I are extremely proud of the entire shipyard team: the leadership, the safety staff, and especially the men and women of the waterfront working to embed safety into all that you do. Look at the rewards, look at the results."

DeWitte visited the PNS less than two years ago to present the Secretary of the Navy's Safety Award. "I was quite impressed then," said DeWitte. "What is significant is that you started out with already excellent results and improved on those. You are the shining light, someone we will call on for assistance... The fact you have done this from an already good program shows that this is achievable across the Navy and Marine Corps globally. Congratulations on a job extremely well done," she said.

Capt. McCoy, NAVSEA Assistant Deputy Commander of Industrial Operations, and former PNS Commander, was also proud of the shipyard accomplishment, "Today this team has set the standard for safety performance for the entire United States Navy to follow. I am incredibly proud and in awe of your accomplishments--well done!"

Paul O'Connor, president of the Federal Employees Metal Trades Council representing the workforce, stated that he was proud, but not surprised that the PNS team achieved "Star" status in just 18 months. He further explained that the Shipyard is number one in the repair and modernization of 688 Class submarine in both cost and schedule.

O'Connor said, "VPP is supported and fostered by management and labor, but it's you, the men and women who have dedicated yourselves and devoted your energy on the ships, in the shops, in all the industrial areas on the shipyard that have made the difference. You all have earned this shipyard VPP 'Star' status. Congratulations!"

The three other naval shipyard sites include Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility in Bremerton, Wash.; Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and IMF in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; and Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Va.

Under the "One Shipyard" initiative, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard is exporting lessons learned and successful processes to streamline the way forward to "Star" status for the other naval shipyards. The safety of the workforce is a shared responsibility of all naval shipyards.

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