Seven organizations embrace VPP Published Aug. 8, 2011 By Brandice J. O'Brien Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The Voluntary Protection Program is a widely-discussed topic. At Tinker, seven organizations have adopted the program and its personnel feverishly work to instill better safety practices and an overall culture change. 72nd Air Base Wing: The 72nd ABW is on the right track. In the past three years, the rate of accidents and injuries has fallen, and the wing is one step closer to applying for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's reputable "Star" status, an acknowledgment for practicing safe measures. More importantly, officials said, the wing has grasped the significance of the VPP message and has adapted it into their everyday lifestyle. 76th Aircraft Maintenance Group: They know the "Star" status is a commendable achievement, but it's not one they're currently pursuing. Instead, they're on a different mission. Before the 76th AMXG vies for the VPP and OSHA honor, officials said they want to make sure the group is the best it can be. They want the number of accidents and injuries significantly reduced. That's not to say they haven't already achieved an impressive feat, they just want to be better. 76th Commodities Maintenance Group: They endorse "Safety first because accidents last." But, the 76th CMXG's stance on safety is much more than that; it's a lifestyle. More than 100 employees, management and senior leaders encourage safety in their daily activities and strive to achieve aggressive VPP goals. By May, officials said they intend to apply for the OSHA "Star" site honor, which means OSHA recognizes the group's measures to create a safe and healthy worksite. 76th Maintenance Support Group: Officials from the 76th MXSG said their organization has a firm grasp on the importance of safety. It began well before the implementation of the VPP; but since adopting it, personnel have set their sights on an aggressive goal. Group officials said they want to achieve the OSHA's "Star" site honor, a status which means the 76th MXSG is recognized as a safe and healthy worksite. 76th Propulsion Maintenance Group: Slips, trips and falls are inevitable. But, since the launch of the 76th PMXG's VPP, the rate of such incidents is significantly reduced. If the trends hold steady or continue to decline, group officials said they intend to pursue the OSHA's coveted "Star" status by 2014. The group's Total Case Incident Rate hovers at 2.9 and its Days Away, Transferred, Restricted rate holds steady at 1.4. In both cases, the current rate is below the national average and the group's target by at least half a point. Officials said the rates are at their lowest points in three years. 76th Software Maintenance Group/76th Maintenance Wing Staff Offices: VPP is not "just another initiative" to the 76th SMXG/76th Maintenance Wing Staff Offices. It's a daily "way of life" and, when used with the wingman concept, the organization is changing the face of workplace safety to protect the workforce; the most valuable asset, officials said. Since adopting the program in 2006, the combined group -- which includes the offices of quality assurance, financial management, safety and management operations -- has gained significant employee and management buy-in, greatly reduced incidents and recently submitted an application for the prestigious "Star" site honor. Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center Combined Wing Staff Group: Their ultimate safety goal is no incidents, accidents or lost days. To achieve such an unprecedented feat, the OC-ALC Combined Wing Staff Group, which includes 11 home and staff offices, and the 448th Supply Chain Management Wing, has set aggressive fiscal-year goals, is changing the culture and encouraging participation in VPP.