PCD achieves 2-million man-hours without a lost-time injury

Pueblo Chemical Depot (PCD), located near Pueblo, Colorado, is one of two U.S. Army installations that stores chemical weapons.

And on Jan. 25, 2023, PCD surpassed 2-million man-hours without a lost-time injury, a feat that has never been reached at the facility.

“It's a huge accomplishment, because we have a robust workforce, and we have different processes working in tandem across the installation. We work on everything from public works, to moving chemical munitions and explosives and working with other entities including the Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (PCAAP), which handles the munitions processing,” said Col. Jason Lacroix, who is the commander of PCD. "It's a keystone achievement in occupational safety and health at any installation. To achieve that many hours without a lost-time injury is very notable. It's a rarity.”

Randy Wojtala, who is PCD’s safety and occupational health manager, echoes Lacroix.

"Our last recorded lost-time was Feb. 1, 2021,” Wojtala said. "I've been in the safety business for 25 plus years, and it is rare to achieve one million hours let alone two million hours.”

PCD reports to the U.S. Army Chemical Materials Activity and is responsible for the safe and secure storage of the chemical weapons stockpile in Colorado until it is destroyed later this year.

The PCD stockpile was originally comprised of 2,600 tons of mustard agent contained in approximately 780,000 munitions. It takes all 350 members of its workforce banding together as a unit to remain safe, keep the public and environment safe, as well as properly storing and moving the remaining stockpile to PCAPP for final destruction.

“If we keep focused on our proactive safety culture, I believe we can achieve three million hours by this time next year,” Wojtala said. “I am confident that we can continue to operate without a lost-time injury as we complete our mission.”

Sheila Johnson, the deputy commander of PCD, attributes this incredible feat to the installation’s workforce.

“It takes each, and every employee with a commitment to completing the mission and completing it safely, and that includes looking out for each other in every activity whether it be moving rounds or walking down the sidewalk,” Johnson said.

PCD is among more than a dozen installations in the Joint Munitions Command’s organic industrial base.