News

542nd CSW unit first at Robins to receive VPP gold site status

  • Published
  • By Wayne Crenshaw
  • 78th ABW/PA
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE,Ga. --  When it comes to safety, the 542nd Combat Sustainment Wing Operations Management Branch has struck gold.

The 53-person office is the first at Robins to win the coveted Gold Site Safety Status. It's a step toward the goal of having the entire wing get the designation, which is an initiative of the base's Voluntary Protection Program.

"It's something we've worked on for some time and I'm proud especially to be the first to plant the Gold Site flag," said Elza "Bubba" Fowler IV, the wing's safety manager.

Once all the wings have Gold Site status, then the base would meet the criteria to reach the ultimate goal, which is to be declared a Star site by Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The Star designation is OSHA's top recognition for work sites that go above normal safety standards, said Lew Jarrell, a member of the VPP team in the 542nd CSW.

He said the 542nd CSW is tentatively aiming to have at least the majority of the wing reach Gold Site Status by December, 2009. At that point the team would seek to have the entire wing designated a Gold Site.

The 542nd CSW/OM got the Gold Site status after an inspection by a team that included representatives from Savannah River Site, American Federal Government Employees 987, 78th Air Base Wing Ergonomics Office, and Johns Manville Inc., a Macon company that is an OSHA Star site.

Mr. Jarrell said there is actually a higher goal than either the Gold Site or the Star designations.

"The goal is not to get the Gold Site, that is a great thing, but the goal is for people to come in, work and go home the same way they came in," he said.

Although 542nd CSW/OM is an administrative office, there are plenty of hazards that can cause injury, Mr. Fowler noted. The leading cause of office hazards, by far, is falls. About half the reported injuries in the 542nd CSW last year was due to falls, and that's only the ones that were reported. Falls have resulted in broken legs and broken ribs, he said. The wing registered 17 falls last year, which was down from 19 the previous year. Falls amount to about half of all injuries in the wing.

To reduce falls, the safety team has started a campaign that includes reminding people to use hand rails on stairs and not to rush. They also post signs in places where falls occur, alerting people to the number of falls that have occurred in that area. They also have created a poster that reads "WANTED: 'Jack the Tripper' At Large" to warn people of the dangers of falls.

Mr. Fowler noted that other offices' hazards included paper cutters, paper shedders, objects where heads can bump, and poor ergonomics in the work area that can lead to carpel tunnel syndrome or other physical problems.

The office has a traffic light that lights yellow when someone has been injured on the job, and red when someone has been killed. It is currently on green to indicate no recent injuries.

Linda Fountain, chief of the Capabilities and Integration Branch of the 542 CSW/OMI, said the Gold Site program is not just another initiative.

"Our employees have taken a personal interest in VPP not only at work but also at home," she said. "Employees come in after the weekend citing examples of where they have used VPP training at home, specifically in the area of Operational Risk Management. Everyone has embraced the elements of VPP and has actively worked to ensure OM received Gold Safe Site status. The employees feel a sense of accomplishment in knowing the great efforts they put forth have been recognized."

Col. Joseph Veneziano, commander of the 542nd CSW, said the Management Operations Branch has been a "benchmark" for the VPP program.

"These employees have exemplified dedication to each other as fellow wingman and embraced the VPP program," he said. "I have been extremely impressed with their commitment to the safety and health of our Wing."