Seal Beach Receives Third SECNAV Safety Award

By Gregg Smith, Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach Public Affairs

SEAL BEACH, Calif. (NNS) -- Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach, Calif., was awarded the Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Safety and Excellence Award Sept. 8.

The annual award recognizes Navy and Marine Corps bases, ships and squadrons for their quality occupational safety and health programs.

The command was considered the safest Navy and Marine Corps base in the small industrial category. This is Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach's SECNAV safety award.

"Our full-time safety staff deserves a great deal of credit for their outstanding efforts," said Capt. Terry Auberry, the base's commanding officer. "But safety is an all-hands effort, and all personnel have again shown that we remain safety-focused 24/7."

Award criteria included mishap trend analysis, safety inspections, and special or unique safety initiatives above and beyond those already required by stringent Navy safety regulations.

Weapons station personnel have started innovative programs ranging from regular safety meetings and training, weekly command-level tracking of safety deficiencies, a monthly newsletter addressing safety tips and topics, vehicle and pedestrian traffic improvements and a concentrated effort to correct safety-related deficiencies.

"An award nomination is only as strong as its people," said Safety Installation Program Manager James Olinger. "People are only as strong as their willingness for change, and change is what the naval weapons station has accomplished."

The command is also involved in the Occupational, Safety and Health Administration's Voluntary Protection Program, which recognizes worksites and businesses that demonstrate continuing excellence in areas of health and safety, reducing mishaps and lost work days due to injuries. Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach is preparing to apply for star status within the program, which is the highest rating possible.

"The unique safety culture here at Seal Beach stems from our Voluntary Protection Program," said Marlo Valdez, a base safety specialist. "As a direct result, our Sailors and employees have a proactive mindset rather than being reactive when it comes to safety."

The awards will be presented during a special ceremony in Washington, D.C., in October 2010. The command also earned the right to fly the SECNAV's safety flag for the next year.