NAVFAC Washington Event Focuses on Contractor, Employee Safety

By James Johnson, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Public Affairs

PATUXENT RIVER, Md. (NNS) -- Contractors and vendors attended Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Washington's second annual 'Safety Symposium' aboard Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., April 14.

The symposium was divided into two sessions. The morning session focused on educating contractors and the afternoon focused on NAVFAC Washington employees. Both featured discussions from NAVFAC Washington safety personnel, mishap reviews, and award presentations.

"It's particularly important for our NAVFAC employees to know that leadership is engaged in this," said Ramé Hemstreet, NAVFAC Washington, commanding officer, host of the event. "It's a priority for us."

During the afternoon session, NAVFAC Washington employees were taught fall protection and medical issues, and were encouraged to actively participate in the safety 'Spot Check' program. The program is credited for helping to improve NAVFAC Washington's safety record during Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 and the first half of FY 2011.

A difference between this year's symposium and last year's, said Larry Carpenter, NAVFAC Washington safety director, is the emphasis on improving the safety record of subcontractors. Noting that most of the attendees were prime contractors, he said, "They're going to go back and say, 'if we want to work for the Navy in the future, we're going to have to really start taking a look at our subcontractors and making sure they're as good as we are, or we're not going to hire them, because if we hire bad subs, NAVFAC is not going to hire us.'"

A presentation showed how a contractor's safety record can influence their selection of a contract award. Bill Garrett, NAVFAC Atlantic command safety, explained that criteria had been developed through collaboration between NAVFAC acquisition and industry. The goal is to have a consistent process to assure NAVFAC is engaged in contracting with partners who have proved safety performance and proactive subcontractor management practices. The process has received positive feedback from contractors since it began in January 2011.

The presentation was a big help, as well as the opportunity to network with others in the industry, said Michael Phillips, of C.E.R. Inc. "We don't get an opportunity too often to talk to our friendly competitors. This industry is not rocket science, if you see a good idea, mimic it; whatever works, whatever gets safe results," he said.

Awards were presented to five contractors who completed work for NAVFAC Washington in FY 2010, in recognition of outstanding safety performance.