Last modified Wed., March 04, 2009 - 04:48 PM
Originally created Thursday, March 5, 2009

NAS Jax wins fourth consecutive safety award

By Miriam Gallet, NAS Jax Public Affairs Officer

The May 2008 Recreational Safety Rodeo at NAS Jacksonville coincided with motorcycle safety awareness month. After a demonstration on defensive driving, rodeo organizers presented a simulated motorcycle accident with response by NAS Jacksonville Fire and Rescue personnel.

NAS Jacksonville earned its fourth consecutive Chief of Naval Operations Occupational Health Ashore Safety Award in the large installation category. Receiving the CNO Safety Ashore Award for the fourth straight year, a record for any Navy activity, is a strong endorsement of the station's impressive safety program and employees' total adoption and integration in a strong safety culture. Earning the prestigious award continues the station's long history of safety excellence.

"This is certainly a top honor for NAS Jax. We're all extremely proud of our safety programs and this award showcases the commitment to safety that our military and civilian personnel bring to work everyday. They do an outstanding job of proactively fostering a culture of safety in the workplace," stated Capt. Jack Scorby Jr., NAS Jacksonville commanding officer.

"It's important to note that in order for these programs to be successful, all hands must participate and take responsibility for their actions and the actions of their coworkers. I am extremely proud because this is our fourth consecutive CNO Safety Ashore Award. This tells me that NAS Jax personnel are vigilant and constantly embrace occupational health and safety as an integral part of their job while carrying out a fast-paced operational schedule," continued Scorby.

According to NAS Jacksonville Safety Manager Ron Williamson, the main reason the station continues to have an exceptional safety program is because NAS Jax has a safety culture that stresses safety in all of its operations.

"We have very strong support for safety within our command leadership. Additionally, our department heads, supervisors and employees have embraced safety, totally," Williamson explained.

"Several categories of mishaps showed marked improvement from the previous year. The military and civilian on-duty case rate dropped from 2.45 in 2007 to 1.88 in 2008, a 23 percent reduction," he continued.

"Also, we have set a goal of Occupational Safety and Health Administration Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) "Star" status for NAS Jacksonville, and have completed Stage 1 of our Challenge Program heading toward "Star" status in VPP. Along with a strong occupational safety and health program, we strive for a strong traffic safety program through our annual Recreational Safety Rodeo; defensive driving classes and motorcycle safety training class for beginning riders, experienced riders and for riders of Sport bikes," Williamson added.

Other initiatives that contributed to the overall success of the base safety program include a successful fire prevention program; disaster preparedness drills; an ergonomic program; ordnance/explosives safety program; recreational safety program; Click It or Ticket campaigns, driver improvement classes and a medical surveillance program for civilian employees.

The award will be presented at the 17th annual Safety Professional Development Conference in San Diego March 17.