New DLA Distribution Anniston safety program keys in on accident prevention

By Mrs. Jennifer Bacchus (AMC)December 6, 2012

New DLA Distribution Anniston safety program keys in on accident prevention
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

ANNISTON ARMY DEPOT, Ala. -- DLA Distribution Anniston, Ala., has new safety personnel. Though Bea Holman and Barry Adderhold may be new to DLA, having transferred a few months ago, they are not new to safety.

Both bring with them years of safety experience and they are eager to share knowledge with their new coworkers.

The first order of business for the duo has been to fully train every employee on standards set by the Occupational Safety and Health Association.

From the top down, every member of the Distribution Anniston workforce is being given at least 10 hours of OSHA training. For most employees, the training covers the basics - personal protective equipment and how OSHA plays a part in the safety of each individual.

Distribution Anniston leadership, supervisors and safety monitors have completed 30 hours of training - giving them an overview of their safety responsibilities.

"This training has made the supervisors and the employees more aware of the hazards in their work areas," said Holman.

That awareness has increased calls to the Distribution Anniston safety office, something Holman and Adderhold hope continues.

"Our philosophy is that if an issue is very important to an employee, then it is important to us," said Adderhold.

"We use the phone calls as a teaching moment," added Holman. "When we look at the problem, we will tell them if it is a safety problem and why or if it is not a safety problem and why not."

Each step of the teaching process is also a piece of a culture change, which is important to achieving the Voluntary Protection Program Star.

Anniston Army Depot has set a goal of achieving the VPP Star and, as a tenant organization, Distribution Anniston is part of the process, since VPP is a fenceline-to-fenceline program.

In Distribution Anniston, the VPP culture change begins with the leadership. Lt. Col. Robert Rouse, Distribution Anniston's commander, and Paul McMillan, the deputy commander, have each taken the 30-hour OSHA training and both make sure they have on their proper protective equipment, down to the steel-toed boots, every time they step into a work area.

Recently, Distribution Anniston implemented mandatory tie-down for all DLA trucks transporting parts and equipment on the depot.

"That is a big thing for us," said McMillan. "It's taking the time to do things right. It's changing the culture."

Other safety changes implemented by Distribution Anniston include:

• A safety committee consisting of at least one employee from each division

• Job safety analyses of every process, which are done by the employee and their supervisor

• Material handling equipment certification for all forklift operators in DLA

• Crane certification

• Safety incentive program with incremental time-off awards

• Accident review boards

• Internal safety-grams