Safety Alliance – a continuous journey Published Feb. 6, 2015 By Jenny Gordon Robins Public Affairs ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Since the formation of the Robins Air Force Base Alliance last fall, the shared commitment of maintaining a safe and healthy work environment across the base has gained momentum. This joint effort involves the base, the OSHA Atlanta-East Area Office, the American Federal of Government Employees Local 987 and the International Association of Firefighters Local F-107. "We're looking forward this year to this alliance bringing more traction to get the workforce together for a safer environment," said Bryant Aaron, Voluntary Protection Program representative with AFGE Local 987. In support of the Alliance, the installation and ALC safety offices, along with VPP professionals meet twice a month with union safety and VPP partners to work on communication efforts and ongoing training for supervisors and employees on occupational health and safety, as well as outreach. It's critical to know how to recognize workplace hazards and report them so safety issues can be immediately identified and resolved. When employees see a hazard at work, they can inform their supervisors and use the online Hazard Reporting Tool. The HRT is an employee-friendly site, accessible via an icon on their desktop. Employees can log on any time and submit a report with their name or anonymously. The Installation Safety Office reviews each concern and an investigator is assigned. Employees can check the tool to get real-time status updates of each issue as they're processed through the system. Installation and ALC safety office members and installation VPP, along with union and VPP partners, are also regularly visiting work sites as part of the Quest for Zero Surge - an effort designed to continually build rapport with employees and supervisors while looking for and eliminating workplace hazards. "It's important that we be seen in the workplace working together and eliminating hazards," said Scott Eck, Installation chief of safety. "In order for the Alliance to be successful and grow, there has to be continued involvement which shows a concerted team effort at all levels. We must embrace our successes and failures, learn from them, implement changes as needed and then look for another opportunity to improve workplace safety and health." The Alliance is about coming together and working toward a common goal. "This Alliance will also give safety and union partners the opportunity to highlight what has been accomplished," said Sean Johnson, Installation VPP manager. On communication, safety reps agreed that it's not enough to just address a safety concern. It must be constantly communicated so that supervisors and employees are engaged throughout the process. James Hogan, ALC chief of safety, said its yearlong campaign with enhanced supervisor safety training will benefit the workforce when it comes to identifying hazards in their respective areas. There are also efforts to standardize roll calls so employees can receive real-time information on safety incidents. "We want to incorporate safety, VPP workforces and leadership to identify hazards prior to them becoming an incident. We're also trying to include what we do safety-wise in order to help mechanics in the complex achieve the 'Art of the Possible,' said Hogan, referring to the Air Force Sustainment Center's standardized systems approach. With open communication established between management, VPP and union partners, the time has come to move forward. "It's time to make a change for the future," said Aaron. "Robins has everything we need. It's a city in itself - we can solve our own problems if everyone at the table takes it seriously."