NAS Jax wins third consecutive safety award

The award was presented to NAS Jax Safety Officer Ron Williamson and NAS Jax Deputy Safety Officer Dave Colburn by Naval Safety Center Deputy Commander Col. Mark Vanous March 11 in Norfolk, Va. The award continues the station's long history of safety excellence.

"This is a significant honor to have won this award against the extremely tough competition of other large installations," said Scorby. "To be recognized for our work and safety initiatives by the Chief of Naval Operations three years in a row is a monumental accomplishment and representative of the hard work and commitment that our Sailors, civilians and contractors aboard the station maintain 24/7."

"Safely accomplishing our mission is our number one priority at NAS Jacksonville. We pride ourselves in keeping safety at the forefront while meeting the pressing and immediate demands of the warfighter and the Navy's enduring mission of forward presence in order to win the war on terror," added Scorby.

"This award speaks loudly about our capabilities to safeguard our people and resources while maintaining an aggressive and effective safety program. I salute and congratulate everyone involved with this unprecedented accomplishment."

NAS Jax continues to ensure safety is priority in the way the base does business each and every day.

During the past five years, NAS Jax saw a significant number of civilian mishaps drop from 44 in fiscal year 2003 to 19 in fiscal year 2007. During that same time, government motor vehicle accidents also decreased by half.

The base was also accepted into the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Challenge Program as part of the three-step process to VPP certification.

The VVP programs have changed the way the safety program is

NAS Jax wins third consecutive safety awarddelivered aboard the station and now functions throughout the station departments and tenant commands. Every new employee is given the VPP Action Guide to complete which includes 15 assigned areas for demonstrating and understanding the station's safety program.

The station reported no formal written reports to the OSHA of unsafe/unhealthy working conditions during fiscal year 2007. 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; Navy Occupational Safety and Health program; motor vehicle safety program which includes continuous motorcycle training classes, Click It or Ticket campaigns, driver improvement classes and the annual Traffic Safety/Recreational and Off-Duty Safety Rodeo; and a medical surveillance program for civilian employees.

The Safety Department also conducts bi-yearly all-hands safety stand downs covering a variety of topics including traffic, recreational and seasonal safety. Together these programs worked to prevent injuries and further improve work efficiency throughout the station.

"This is a great achievement for NAS Jax. The receiving of this award is a testament to the fact that the personnel at NAS Jax continue to work safely and the safety culture at the station is very much alive and well and not just a short term action," said NAS Jax Safety Officer Ron Williamson.

"By earning this award, we are now eligible to compete for the next two Secretary of the Navy Safety Awards."