Tinker VPP units striving toward ‘Star’ status Published April 29, 2010 By Brandice J. Armstrong Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Seven base organizations are reaching for the stars. They are striving for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Voluntary Protection Program "Star" status. OSHA's highest distinction is presented to organizations that demonstrate, through the cooperation of management, union and government personnel, a safe and healthy work environment. Independent of one another, each of the organizations has implemented methods, including the "Game Plan" challenge, to put safety into practice and reduce the number of work-related injuries and illnesses. While some are in advanced stages of the Star-status quest, others are in the preliminary phase. "Obtaining Star status is a big deal, difficult to obtain and very few companies have achieved this recognition," said Donna Quijano-Butner, 76th AMXG Integrated Design Team for Management and VPP program manager. "As we strive for Star status, we are making our workplaces better by taking care of each other, increasing moral and improving our production by involving our employees." The remaining six units include 72nd Air Base Wing; 76th Commodities Maintenance Group; 76th Propulsion Maintenance Group; 76th Software Maintenance Group and 76th Maintenance Wing staff offices; 76th Maintenance Support Group; and the Combined Wings and Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center staff offices. Ms. Quijano-Butner said she estimates it will be 2015 before her unit will apply for Star status. In the meantime, they are working on lowering the total case incident rate and days away/restricted/transferred by 15 percent each calendar year by encouraging better communication between employees, supervisors and managers. "VPP is not going away, our efforts will not be in vain," she said. The 72nd ABW will apply for Star status as soon as October. Results will be known two to six months after the evaluation. Chris Weston, 72nd ABW VPP IDT Management co-chair, said the wing has fulfilled several of its requirements including a mentorship with an already Star-certified company. The wing has a mentorship with Edmond Post Office. "A lot of the requirements have to be in place for at least a year and the injury rate has to be below half of the industry standard for three years before you can even be accepted," Mr. Weston said. "VPP is a culture change. You have to change people's mind on how we do things." Since 2007, Mr. Weston said the injury rate has fallen at least 25 percent. The unit accomplished the feat by installing flashing lights at the crosswalks, fixing potholes and encouraging employees to call a hotline to report hazards. Col. Scott Merrell, 72nd ABW vice commander said doing small things to improve the safety and reduce wherever possible is really the bottom line. "We have to remember that while achieving Star status is nice, it's only a by-product of what we really want here at Tinker, and across the Air Force, for that matter, which is a safe and healthy work force that's able to continue to generate airpower for the nation," the colonel said. Two American Federation of Government Employees Local 916 personnel agreed and said their union organization is a strong supporter of VPP at Tinker. "VPP at Tinker has seen many changes over the past three years," said Ty Norton, American Federation of Government Employees Local 916 Base VPP representative. "Our injury rates have showed a steady decline. I have seen pockets of positive culture change. This tells me the program is heading in the right direction." "As a union, the only thing more important than preserving the careers of the employees is keeping the employees safe," said Craig Barron, 72nd ABW VPP steward. One way units are getting the word out on VPP is through the "Game Plan," an employee-participative incentive program. Game Plan challenges Tinker employees to incorporate safety into their everyday lives. Participants, who do so by completing 80 percent of the suggested challenges within a six-month session, will receive four hours off and a certificate of completion. Personnel can only receive time-off allotment during the six-month period. Several organizations introduced the program as early as October 2009. Organized in a booklet, the program offers 32 safety-related activities that employees can participate in, plus an additional 11 challenges for supervisors. Activities include "chair a safety meeting in your work area," "participate in a community outreach program" and "assist a new employee in understanding the OC-ALC safety program and specific job hazards." When an activity is sufficiently completed, an employee must have a supervisor, unit safety representative, VPP shop representative or base safety professional sign off on it. Ms. Quijano-Butner said since March 31, her unit has distributed more than 500 Game Plan pamphlets. Mr. Weston said the wing has handed out nearly 300 packets and received back two. Norman Wagner, employee representative for the 76th SMXG and 76th MXW staff offices VPP Steering Group Committee, said his unit has distributed more than 250 Game Plan packets and received approximately 10 completed pamphlets. They are in the midst of pursuing Star status. Earlier this month, two representatives from the unit's mentor, Valero Ardmore Refinery in Ardmore, visited the unit and will soon return for the mock audit. "The importance of gaining Star status is that OSHA recognizes that we provide a safe work place for our employees and that those employees had a voice in the process," Mr. Wagner said. Harold Davis, VPP coordinator for the 76th MXSG, said his unit isn't up to scheduling a mock audit yet, but has visited the Valero refinery for their perspective of how to get the work force fully engaged in VPP. "We are fine tuning the safety programs we have on hand and are implementing new safety programs that are unique to this type of work," Mr. Davis said. "Also, we are actively promoting employee participation and their awareness of hazards in and around their work environment." The unit has made significant strides to improve safety. Mr. Davis said the total case incident rate has been reduced by 23 percent and days away/restricted/transferred has decreased 28 percent since July 2009. Additionally, the group has an active 'Near Miss' program that allows 76th MXSG personnel to report hazards. The hazards are researched by the unit's integrated design teams, who ultimately determine resolutions and relay the information back to the unit affected by the issue. Mr. Davis said the process allows "us to reach a large number of people and get the preventative message out without the impact of an actual injury." "Through the cooperation of Shawn Petty, 76th MXSG VPP co-chair, Heather Hill, VPP member and the diligence of Eric Hanninen, safety representative, the 76th MXSG has performed the mammoth task of tear down and installation of Bldg. 9001 without any loss days due to injury in more than a year," Mr. Davis said. The 76th MXSG has distributed roughly 10 Game Plan packets, none have yet been returned. The 76th CMXG has a staff-appointed visit scheduled with the Air Force Materiel Command Safety Office for July. After that visit, they'll have a better understanding of where they fall in the application process. But, right now, their goal is a 20 percent mishap-reduction rate, said Joe Kessinger, 76th CMXG VPP IDT Management representative, Steven Delk, 76th CMXG VPP IDT AFGE Local 916 representative, and Garry Stotts, 76th CMXG VPP IDT Employee representative. To accomplish VPP goals, the commodities maintenance group is educating and training the work force to be more safety conscious, encouraging safety conversations between personnel, supervisors and management. They have also brainstormed a mishap reduction plan and recognizing employees who are serious about safety. "Cross-talk is one of the most valuable tools that we have to foster new ideas, materials, tools and process improvements," Mr. Kessinger said. "We're working toward a better future for our workers and warfighters in the field." Roughly 150 Game Plan packets were handed out and three have since been returned. Jim Bligh, 76th PMXG VPP Group Steering Committee co-chair, Ericka Thompson, 76th PMXG IDT member, and Greg Tunnell, 76th PMXG IDT member, said they don't expect their unit to apply for Star status until 2012, but in the meantime, the unit is making exceptional progress. Roughly 550 Game Plan packets have been distributed and 20 were returned. Additionally, Valero, the unit's mentor, visits each quarter. "Everyone needs to be involved to achieve Star status, and the education and awareness of the Air Force Occupational Safety and Health program is essential to the successful of the Voluntary Protection Program," Mr. Bligh said. The AFOSH program is designed to keep the work force healthy and safe, but also aims to protect the facility.