Puget Sound Shipyard Receives Navy's Top Safety Honor

Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Donald C. Winter announced April 18 that the Northwest Regional Maintenance Center (NWRMC), Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PSNS & IMF) won the Fiscal Year 2005 SECNAV Award for Achievement in Safety Ashore in the large industrial activity category. The annual award is presented to Navy and Marine Corps shore activities based on the overall quality of their Occupational Safety and Health Programs.

“The significance of senior leadership’s role in promoting operational excellence through adherence to effective risk management and hazard reduction principles is made evident by the achievements of this year’s winners,” said Winter. “I extend my personal congratulations to this year’s winners who have distinguished themselves by demonstrating proactive safety programs that have contributed to their mission success.” PSNS & IMF personnel, management, and labor unions have worked together to improve the command’s safety culture, which demonstrated the command’s commitment to a proactive safety program that contributes to the overall mission. The shipyard's safety milestones include a 56 percent reduction in injury rates since 2002, designation as a Voluntary Protection Program Star site by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and a Fall Protection program that is being used as the model for all Navy and Marine Corps Fall Protection programs. With more than 10,000 personnel based in Bremerton, Bangor and Everett, Wash., and detachments in San Diego and Boston, the commitment to safety by the command’s management, labor and employees has promoted a culture of safety throughout the Northwest Regional Maintenance Center.

By Patricia Hubler, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility Public Affairs