TOBYHANNA ARMY DEPOT, Pa. -- Depot and tenant organization safety programs recently competed for the 2016 Safety Area of the Year Awards.
Three directorates and one tenant agency were recognized for their contributions to Tobyhanna's safety mission. The Systems Integration and Support (SIS) Directorate's Structural Repair and System Prep branches earned first place in the Heavy Industrial Area; the C4ISR Directorate's Information Systems Support Section claimed the Medium/Light Industrial Area; the Production Engineering Directorate's Avionics and Sensors Engineering Branch took top honors in the Administrative Area, and the Logistics Support Activity Packaging, Storage and Containerization Center (LOGSA PSCC) earned the Tenant Activity Award.
The annual awards acknowledge cost centers that have outstanding safety programs and individuals whose performances have best supported the depot's safety mission. Each of the four safety programs boast similar attributes, while embracing a team attitude to encourage safe practices in their respective area.
Daily inspections of the work area and posting of Safety Star Point bulletins were mentioned in all of the nomination packages. The same goes for seeking out and reporting hazards using well established methods. Each organization also uses regular meetings to keep personnel informed, reinforcing the depot's objective of safety first.
John Mayatte, LOGSA PSCC chief, said the center's safety success has been dependent on focusing on the big picture.
"Our employees are actively involved in every aspect of our safety program," he said. "Whether in our testing lab or out in the field, they set the example by wearing personal protective equipment and adhering to all safety procedures." Employees have also been vigilant in identifying potential safety hazards and submitting near-miss reports, performing preventative maintenance and equipment inspections, conducting quarterly safety inspections and participating in regular safety meetings.
Though LOGSA PSCC is a small depot activity, safety remains a central focus for the employees and is ingrained into the organization's culture.
"Our employees are the cornerstone of our safety program," said Mayatte. "We value and act on their input and ensure they receive proper safety training. A safe work environment means that our employees can focus on their primary mission to support Army readiness."
According to the nomination package for the Avionics and Sensors Engineering Branch, employees in the area have used a similar philosophy to mitigate potential injury. Branch Chief Jim Scrobola said the most significant risk is from slips, trips and falls, and occasional clutter in work areas. Employees use 6S procedures to straighten and then sustain the area, and supervisors perform walk-arounds to spot clutter and address any issues on the spot.
"The consciousness of safety and concern for their fellow workers motivate branch personnel to ensure that processes and products are safe," said Scrobola. One example of this was identifying the improper orientation of a posted evacuation plan, potentially saving time and lives in the event of an emergency.
Housed in a 77,000 square-foot facility, the Structural Repair and System Prep branches are home to various processes that inherently present safety risks. A proactive approach by supervisors ensures all employees wear proper PPE while performing tasks and leading by example while on the shop floor maintains a safe work environment.
All employees in these two branches receive yearly physicals and a variety of safety training to stay up-to-speed on tasks ranging from respiratory, HAZMAT, overhead crane, high reach, pallet jack, and STAR4D (Spray Technique Analysis and Research for Defense) blast and painting. Start-up meetings each morning keep employees abreast of assignments and safety reminders.
"The easiest way to increase safety is to say something about an existing or potential problem as soon as you see it," said Howie Slinger, chief of the System Prep Branch. "We use our Safety Star Points to look for safety issues and perform weekly eyewash inspections. It's an honor to be named a Safety Area of the Year when you consider the heavily industrial nature of the many things going on in our building at one time."
Each area recognized as a Safety Area of the Year utilizes a wide range of resources to keep their safety record clean. For the Information Systems Support Branch, that record has been spotless for 2,717 days, or more than seven years without an injury, reportable or recordable incident. Branch Chief Dennis Redding said that an open line of communication between employees and their supervision plays a vital role in continuing the streak.
"The entire cost center takes great pride in its safety record and knowing that we have ensured the safety of our coworkers during this period," he said, adding that employee reporting has led to fixes in inadequate lighting, water spills from a leaky roof, blocked pathways and tripping hazards from cracked flooring.
Tobyhanna Army Depot is a recognized leader in providing world-class logistics support for command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems across the Department of Defense. Tobyhanna's Corporate Philosophy, dedicated work force and electronics expertise ensure the depot is the Joint C4ISR provider of choice for all branches of the Armed Forces and industry partners.
Tobyhanna's unparalleled capabilities include full-spectrum logistics support for sustainment, overhaul and repair, fabrication and manufacturing, engineering design and development, systems integration, post production software support, technology insertion, modification, foreign military sales and global field support to our Joint Warfighters.
About 3,200 personnel are employed at Tobyhanna, which is located in the Pocono Mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania. Tobyhanna Army Depot is part of the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command. Headquartered at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, the command's mission is to research, develop, acquire, field and sustain communications, command, control computer, intelligence, electronic warfare and sensors capabilities for the Armed Forces.
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