Serious about VPP: 76th CMXG sets aggressive goals, will apply for ‘Star’ status

Published April 11, 2011
By Brandice J. O'Brien
Tinker Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- They endorse "Safety first because accidents last." But, the 76th Commodities Maintenance Group's stance on safety is much more than a slogan; it's a lifestyle.
More than 100 employees, management and senior leaders encourage safety in their daily activities and strive to achieve aggressive Voluntary Protection Program goals. By May, officials said they intend to apply for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration "Star" site honor, which means OSHA has recognized the commodities maintenance group's measures to create a safe and healthy worksite.

"Our workforce represents a huge capability to the Department of Defense, their work can be inherently dangerous and their safety must be my No. 1 priority," said Col. Herbert Phillips, 76th CMXG commander and VPP co-chair for the group. "VPP is really about harnessing the power of our 2,400 employees and their 4,800 eyes, and focusing on identifying hazards and improving safety practices."

The colonel said the importance of safety has resonated with the group and their goals and achievements clearly reflect their efforts.

Since he arrived here in July 2009, Colonel Phillips said the group's total case incident rate, or TCIR, was a full point above their industry standard. While there were peaks and valleys in the number of incidents that occurred, it has consistently decreased and is currently well below their industry standard.

In January 2010 and 2011, the colonel set TCIR rate goals for the group several points below their industry standard.

"The goals we set were somewhat of a stretch goal, which was to decrease mishaps by 20 percent," the colonel said. "We threw that out there and we are the only group that said we'd reduce it by 20 percent. In 2010, we missed it by .1 point."

One way the group has lowered the number of incidents is by researching one type of injury at a time. By identifying and studying the root cause of why injuries occur, the group could better formulate ways to prevent it. The group has since reduced the number of eye injuries and drill mishaps and is working on the strains and sprains' issue.

To achieve a respectable TCIR and interest in VPP, the group also provides training and education and uses a recognition program to praise good behavior and communication.
"Programs come and go; I've been out here since the mid-1990s and I've seen things come and go," said Steve Delk, VPP co-chair for the group, VPP union representative and volunteer safety representative. "The flavor of the month is really hard to beat. It's very difficult to overcome that and you have to have buy-in on all sides. But, it appears to me that we are turning the corner and people are truly beginning to believe in this program."

The commodities maintenance group has that buy-in and the increase in volunteer safety representatives is proof. A year ago, there were no more than four representatives. Today there are more than 75.

"Being a VSR allows me to not only improve working conditions in my squadron, but it also allows me to relay safety hazards and concerns from the floor directly to the highest levels of management in the 76th CMXG so that they can be quickly resolved," said Damen Burris, an aircraft sheet metal mechanic in the 551st Commodities Maintenance Squadron. He's been a representative for a little more than a year.
Kandra Dodge, a VSR since August 2008, agreed.

"I take pride in being involved in the VPP program," said the electronic equipment repairer with the 550th Commodities Maintenance Squadron. "I think it is the best program we have to influence everyone's daily thought process about safety."
Despite their accomplishments, the colonel said the group isn't at 100-percent participation.

"We still have some growing to do with involvement," Colonel Phillips said. "But, it's growing everyday and it's pretty strong."

Achieving "Star" status could help with that. Following the group's evaluation by the Air Force Materiel Command Safety Office during a staff-assisted visit in August 2010, the colonel said they've applied the tips garnered and aim to have their application in by May.