Eielson strives for VPP star status

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Janine Thibault
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Eielson Air Force Base recently became involved in the Voluntary Protection Program which encourages Airmen and civilian workers to practice safe habits and remain vigilant for possible workplace hazards.

The Department of Defense VPP Center of Excellence gap analysis team inspected different units looking for strengths and weaknesses over the last two weeks. By informing units where they excel or fail, the center is helping to set them up for success for a future inspection by the Occupational Safety and Hazard Administration.

The VPP recognition program ensures both civilians and military on base are held to the same standards. The safety office uses the VPP program as well as the current safety program to ensure guidelines are met.

"This addition to the pre-existing program has taken our safety efforts from excellent to world-class," said Patrick Wilson, 354th Fighter Wing safety office VPP manager.

The Air Force started pursuing VPP-level safety and occupational health performance in 2006. Upon successful completion of the VPP, Eielson will be rewarded with star status which will exempt the organization from unannounced inspections. To date, eight DoD installations and sites have earned VPP Star status.

An important step to earning star status is that employees must report any potential safety hazards to a supervisor or someone in charge of the area with the safety concern, even if it is not their workplace.

"Everyone must be responsible and have ownership for all hazards on base, from the lowest ranking Airman and civilian to the highest ranking officer, everyone must have ownership of safety," said Mr. Wilson.

In comparison to other bases involved, Eielson is leading the way in safety by testing out new boots designed to eliminate slips and trips. Due to the climate, Eielson is a unique base that needs such specialized equipment.

Test boots have already been used by maintenance Airmen to get feedback so the results can be taken to the manufacturer. They will be able to eliminate or add features as needed to create the best boot possible for Eielson's Airmen and the rest of the Air Force.

Another new addition to improve the program is having each squadron represented by a safety committee. Each committee determines safety issues, concerns and suggestions that will be brought up to commanders in the group committee. The group committee will in turn compile and deliver the information at future VPP integration team meetings.

"If taken seriously both on and off duty, our organizational culture will become self-correcting and not tolerate incidents as 'a cost of doing business'," said Vance Lineberger, Pentagon deputy for safety office of the deputy assistant secretary of defense.

The electronic tool, which is used as a tracking method to achieve VPP status, has 243 tasks that must be accomplished. Once all these elements are completed, the DoD VPP Team of Excellence will be called back to reevaluate Eielson to confirm the base is prepared for a final inspection from OSHA.

A passing mark from OSHA will earn the base a star status which allows the base to go without unannounced inspections as long as reports show that Eielson has maintained safety standards.

With time on the job, people may develop unsafe habits and shortcuts that could hurt them. Although an unsafe habit may not have hurt them before, complacency is not a mark of good safety.

"We don't want them to just be safe on the job but also take these habits home with them for their dependents and families to use," said Mr. Wilson.

The safety office has launched a safety hotline at 377-SAFE(7233). Callers can leave an anonymous detailed description from anybody who has seen a hazard, knows of a near miss, or has safety concerns or questions. A response will be given within two working days.

"The more people are cognizant of safety and occupational health hazards, the more likely we are to recognize a hazard and correct it before it causes an injury or illness. Injuries and occupational illnesses reduce productivity and directly impact an organization's ability to complete their mission," said Mr. Lineberger.

Preventable mishaps cause an individual unnecessary harm as well as drain resources and negatively affect readiness. The base's participation in VPP will not only attempt to prepare the base for upcoming inspections but also decrease injury and illness rates leading to a safer place to live and work.