On September 13, 2021, representatives from the U.S Army Corps of Engineers Safety and Occupational Health Office and the National Science Foundation Office of Polar Programs met to formally begin a working relationship to support global operations and construction efforts including in polar regions supported by NSF.
Both USACE and NSF share similar strategic goals to invest in innovation, engineering, and science. This agreement combines the dynamic experience and depth of knowledge of each organization. This new agreement encourages the synergetic effect of pooling effective techniques pursuant to operations in sub-zero and / or extreme conditions.
“I believe this collaborative partnership between our two safety-focused organizations will lead to mission and program risk-mitigating improvements, and will be a strong and lasting relationship,” said Jon Fentress, OPP safety and occupational health manager.
“Both our organizations are often tasked to complete uniquely challenging projects in extreme environments. Beyond the technical safety support needed because of expected increases in research and construction over the next few years, we truly get to learn from each other. This partnership builds a bench of safety professionals who can perform successfully in extreme environments,” Fentress continued.
“Environments where established safety requirements will not always cover the broad list of life-threatening hazards present, and where creativity in risk control is crucial to support the mission. As a former USACE safety professional myself, I look forward to this continued partnership with an organization that I know, personally, has a world-class safety management system,” said Fentress.
This partnership greatly expands the network and experience of safety professionals which will lead to more innovative approaches to risk analysis and proven risk management for operations in unique working conditions. The target focus will be on programs for operations under extreme environments, e.g. polar climates on land, sea and air.
“The types of projects the NSF and USACE complete all require careful, strategic planning to ensure all potential risks are carefully assessed and mitigated to an acceptable level,” said Mark Atkins, USACE safety and occupational health chief.
“When done correctly planning ensures the success of each project. If we fail to adequately plan our risks, we are planning to fail. I embrace this new partnership with open arms because it provides each organization an opportunity to learn from each other and ensure our SOH programs stay innovative and continue our path to greater world class SOH programs, said Atkins.”
Partnerships with other organizations, like the one with NSF, are critical for USACE to continue to deliver its mission of providing high quality projects on time and safely.
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