ANNISTON ARMY DEPOT, Ala. -- On July 24, a large group of individuals entered a shop in the Nichols Industrial Complex looking for issues. Among them were representatives from the Directorate of Risk Management, Industrial Hygiene, the Fire and Emergency Services Division Directorate of Engineering and Quality and the Directorate of Public Works.
Joined by Depot Commander Col. Brent Bolander and Sgt. Maj. Jeffrey Marcon, it was the first inspection by the depot's Target Zero team.
Each Wednesday, the team visits a shop or office looking for violations in safety, environmental compliance, fire prevention or other areas detracting from a healthy work environment.
To-date, the team has inspected all or part of 13 buildings on the installation, noting issues specific to the shop or potentially systemic problems.
These issues are prioritized, assigned to the proper organizations for resolution and then tracked through each subsequent Target Zero meeting.
"It is all about accountability," said Ron Levy, the depot's acting safety manager. "If there are findings during an inspection, the supervisor will have to brief that issue, so the commander knows it is being fixed."
Susie Vernon, a depot safety specialist, said the inspectors have seen a number of issues repeated in different shop areas. Among them are:
•,Housekeeping - particularly a need to turn in old equipment
•,Extension cords used as permanent wiring
•,Ergonomic issues, such as proper use of lifting devices
•,Broken chairs in use
•,Cracked or broken flooring which may be a slip or trip hazard.
"Getting the right people together in the same room at the same time has helped to get the necessary repairs to the work areas we have visited," said Vernon.
The program began when Rachael Long, an intern for the Safety Office, visited Red River Army Depot in June for training. There, she accompanied the depot leadership on inspections and saw the results. She was so impressed, she brought the idea to Bruce Williams, director of Risk Management, and Levy upon her return.
"The timing was good because the Safety Office was looking for ideas on how to improve the safety program and this idea quickly rose to the top of the list," said Long.
Mark Brooks, a depot industrial hygienist, said the inspections are a good way for employees to get involved in the safety of their shop by bringing issues to the attention of the team.
"If shop personnel know of on-going issues - whether it be safety, IH, production, environmental, etc. - they are have difficulty resolving, the inspection is a prime opportunity to bring issues forward and get a response," he said.
Brooks said the team's makeup, with people from a variety of organizations, allows for a lot of cross-function knowledge to be used when inspecting a work area.
Many organizations represented on the inspection team, such as the Fire and Emergency Services Division, prepare for each visit by researching the building they will enter, getting to know its primary function and important information about the structure.
"Prior to an inspection, the fire protection specialists look at the building being inspected and determine what the occupancy is," said Michael Payne, a depot fire protection specialist. "We also answer important questions, such as whether it is an industrial occupancy, business occupancy, storage occupancy, or other use. This determination drives how the National Fire Protection Association 101, the Life Safety Code, will apply to the building being inspected."
The fire protection specialist who inspects the building with the team uses a checklist to determine if the right equipment is in place and if flammable materials are stored correctly in each work area.
This inspection is performed from the outside of the building in, beginning with a determination of whether or not there is enough clearance outside the building for firefighting equipment to be effective.
Each member of the Target Zero team uses a similar process - working methodically through the building or work area to determine whether or not compliance issues are present and how significant those findings are.
Terry Winn, an environmental inspector for the depot's Directorate of Risk Management, said his primary focus in any inspection is to make sure the depot's Red Book policies are followed.
This often includes ensuring chemicals are labeled correctly, hazardous waste containers are properly closed per the Resources Conservation and Recovery Act and employees are following proper procedures for cleaning spills and blast media.
However, Winn emphasized they are also there as a resource for the employees.
"We are available to answer any questions or provide guidance on any environmental issue you need assistance with," said Winn.
The inspections are attracting attention among the shops not yet visited.
Vernon said many employees and supervisors have gone from dreading an inspection to looking forward to it.
"This is the beginning of a culture change for our shops," she said.
The change can be credited, in part to the visible improvements made in some of the buildings.
"The inspection has been beneficial in the Component Cleaning and Painting Branch," said Anthony Hulsey, a painter supervisor. "It has increased awareness in the shop of the importance of safety and it shows management support from the top down."
Some of the issues identified are easily fixed - such as the heaters found to be too close to the paint station in the Optics Branch, which were simply removed. Others require the assistance of different organizations on depot.
The Optics Branch's tritium room was one such situation. There, lights were being turned on at the breaker and temporary wiring was powering work stations.
Now, thanks to the assistance of the depot's Directorate of Public Works, light switches are available in that work area as well as proper power supplies at work stations.
The depot commander is pleased to be part of the inspection process and encourages employees to be involved and proactive.
"I am excited about the implementation of the Target Zero program - one of many facets to address a proactive approach to a safe work environment. We strive to create and sustain a work environment and atmosphere that is injury and accident free and ultimately improve our cultural awareness and actions pertaining to doing things safely," said Bolander. "One incident or near-miss, is one too many. It places you, our workforce, in potential harm's way and increases our costs. So, I encourage and challenge the entire workforce to assume personal responsibility and practice a safe work environment."
Bolander has seen signs of improvement in the industrial area, but says there is still more to do.
"Employees are beginning to make changes. But, there is still room for more," he said. "I am confident we can achieve our goal of zero accidents and injuries."
Though the focus of the Target Zero inspections is currently in the shop areas, Levy is quick to point out the team could be seen in an administrative office at any time.
"We are on our way to your area soon," he said.
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