ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md.- The U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command and Tobyhanna Army Depot were recognized in this year's Army Materiel Command Annual Safety Awards at the division- and installation -levels for their implementation of exemplary safety and occupational health programs executed during fiscal year 2010.
CECOM won this year's division-level AMC Exceptional Organizational Safety Award for the command's safety and occupational health achievements this past year.
At the installation level, Tobyhanna Army Depot, also a CECOM organization, won the Industrial Operations Safety Award for exemplary safety and occupational health program.
In addition, Tobyhanna was named a 'Star Site' by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration through the OSHA Voluntary Protection Program for having injury rates below industry averages and program elements meeting VPP requirements consecutively for the past 10 years, according to Alice Kearney, CECOM safety and occupational health manager.
The VPP, an OSHA cooperative program, recognizes private and federal agencies that have implemented effective safety and health management systems and maintain injury and illness rates below national Bureau of Labor Statistics averages for their respective industries. VPP encourages participation in safety initiatives at all levels.
Tobyhanna reports reveal accident rates that are 66 percent below industry standards. Last fiscal year, Tobyhanna produced a cost avoidance of more than $5 million by reducing injuries and illnesses; returning personnel to work more quickly; and continually improving the safety and health culture, according to CECOM Directorate for Safety reports.
"Congratulations to Tobyhanna for their achievements," said Steve Hart, director, CECOM Directorate for Safety. "Tobyhanna [Army Depot] has an exceptional safety and occupational health program. We're proud of Tobyhanna and all of our safety branches in CECOM for their dedication and hard work throughout the year."
Each year the Army Materiel Command and the U.S. Army recognizes organizations for their Safety and Occupational Health initiatives. CECOM and Tobyhanna Army Depot have seen a continuous reduction in injury and illness rates for more than three years.
During fiscal year 2010, the CECOM Directorate for Safety was able to provide system safety engineering, radiological, and occupational safety support and expertise to the Department of Defense, Army, Navy, Air Force, and additional federal agencies, said Cynthia Massengale, CECOM safety and occupational health manager.
Tobyhanna is continually developing and implementing innovative safety and wellness programs that have aided with a healthier workforce, fewer injuries, increased involvement in the safety and occupational health program, said Kearney. The Army depot was recertified as an OSHA VPP Star site in 2010, a certification they have held consistently for 10 years.
AMC winners will advance to the Headquarters Department of Army level to compete in the All-Army competition. Army winners will be announced March 2011.
AMC safety award recipients include:
Individual Excellence in Safety
-Ms. Bonnie Lewis, Red River Army Depot, Texarkana, Texas
Excellence in Explosives Safety Awards:
-Division Level -Joint Munitions Command, Rock Island, Ill.
-Brigade Level-McAlester Army Ammunition Plant, McAlester, Okla.
-Battalion Level-Radford Army Ammunition Plant, Radford, Va.
Exceptional Organization Safety Awards:
-Division Level- U.S. Army CECOM LCMC, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md.
-Installation Level-Tooele Army Depot, Tooele, Utah
-Brigade level-Umatilla Chemical Depot, Hermiston, Ore.
-Battalion Level-Sierra Army Depot, Herlong, Calif.
-Company Level- Anniston Army Depot Department of Public Works, Anniston, Ala.
Industrial Operations Safety Awards:
-Division Level-U.S. Army TACOM LCMC, Warren, Mich.
-Installation Level-Tobyhanna Army Depot, Tobyhanna, Pa.
-Brigade Level-Watervliet Arsenal, Watervliet, N.Y.
-Battalion Level-Anniston Defense Munitions Center, Anniston, Ala.
-Company Level-TACOM LCMC GSMM Maintenance Support Team, Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.
-Detachment Level-TACOM LCMC Transportation Support Team, Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.
Social Sharing