The Leader - Autumn 2015 online

VOLUME 2, ISSUE 4, AUTUMN 2015IHNATZEARRADCTTIRVAEININGBOOSTS PROJECT SAFETY



Check Out VPPPA’s New Website!Get feedback from G et the most out of your membership • Update your site’s roster, profile, companyother members through in our exclusive, members-only information and communicationthe new “Member access areas: preferences online. It’s also easier than everForum” feature. • The login process is very user friendly, and to register yourself or multiple people at your site for a conference or webinar you can now create your own user ID or use your email address to login • Get feedback from other members through • Search and view best practices online the new “Member Forum” feature. Reach • Upload/download presentations from our out to the safety and health community webinars and conferences for advice on implementing creative safety • Members will now be able to view issues of solutions at your site The Leader online • Search the member directories for specific • Browse our members-only job board companies in VPP and view their contact Questions? Contact [email protected] information. • Search the vendor/product directory for for more information on utilizing these safety products or companies specializing in features. VPP tools and services THE LEADER vpppa.org 3

LTHEEADER CONTENTSVOL 2. ISSUE 4 AUTUMN 2015cover14Interactive Hazard features factor. More specifically, how many of Training Boosts the incidents were preventable withProject Safety 18Fatality and better awareness? When we talk about Catastrophic preventable fatalities, catastrophicOne challenge faced by companies Event Prevention events or even recordable injuries,is getting employee safety training there was a risk present that was notto stick. Several VPP-approved sites If at some point on your safety accurately perceived. The focus of thisare employing interactive training improvement journey, human article will be to more deeply exploremethods to encourage a higher level performance becomes an issue, you those reasons.of engagement, improve training shouldn’t have any trouble justifyingoversight and strengthen project safety your efforts to improve it. If you want High Risk low Riskculture. Interactive training methods— to tackle the human performanceoften referred to as simulator, mock-up slice of the safety pie, you may needor scenario-based training—immerse to prove to the organization that youemployees in an environment they are on the right track. To do this, youcan experience, rather than read will need to go back through the injuryabout. During interactive training, and unplanned event reports for theemployees can walk through a mock last year or two with key membersworksite, handle model equipment of the organization. By doing this,and practice hazard scenarios. Key you will be able to determine howsafety messages are brought to life and many of the incidents had a humanpaired with experience in a controlled performance issue as a contributingenvironment. For projects where workingwith dangerous materials is common,interactive training equips employeeswith the tools and experience to avoidworkplace incidents.4 THE LEADER vpppa.org

features continued 28Operational www.vpppa.org Mismatch and24Innovation Incident Prevention VPPPA National Board of Directors Award Winner Many times, people are lulled into the ChairpersonWashington River Protection Solutions belief that because no one has gotten Mike Maddox, NuStar Energy, LP(WRPS), the U.S. Department of hurt, the workplace is safe enough. IEnergy’s Tank Operations contractor have two fundamental problems with Vice Chairpersonat the 586-square-mile Hanford Site that: 1) Is there ever really a point where Mike Guillory, SGE, The Brock Groupin south-central Washington state, a worksite is “safe enough?” and 2) Thereceived the VPP Innovation Award absence of injury does not indicate the Treasurerfor a revolutionary surveying tool presence of safety. Just because no one Chris Adolfson, Idaho National Laboratorythat reduces workers’ exposure has gotten injured does not mean thatto radiation by 50 percent. WRPS there is not the potential for someone to Secretarydesigned, fabricated and deployed suffer an injury. Organizations that feel Terry Schulte, NuStar Energy, LPa tool that reduces worker exposure they are secure due to their “incident-while surveying long-length pieces free streak” are often the ones at the Director from a Site With a Collectiveof equipment used to retrieve highly greatest risk. Success does not always Bargaining Agentradioactive and chemical waste from indicate a lack of failure, sometimes Don Johnson, Phillips 66Hanford’s tank farms. there is a degree of luck involved. Director from a Site Without a Collectivesections 32OSHA’s Top Bargaining Agent 10 Violations Rob Henson, LyondellBasellGLOBAL SAFETY AND 6 HEALTH WATCH Do you know what 2015’s most Director from a DOE-VPP Site frequent violations were, according to Stacy Thursby, Washington Closure HanfordMAGAZINE RECOGNITION 7 OSHA? Has your company been guilty of any of these? Director from a VPP Contractor/WASHINGTON UPDATE 8 Construction Site Look for these topics highlighted in the Richard McConnell, Austin IndustrialSTATE-PLAN MONITOR 10 top right corner of each section. at LyondellBasellCONFERENCE WRAP-UP— 12 G overnment Director-at-Large ANNUAL NATIONAL Bill Harkins, Chevron Phillips VPPPA CONFERENCE M embership Chemical CompanyMEMBER INFO CORNER 33 H ealth Director-at-Large J.A. Rodriguez, Jr., CSP, SGE , Raytheon Business Technical Services Company LLC Outreach Director-at-Large Kristyn Grow, CSP, CHMM, SGEMEMBER SPOTLIGHT 34 Cintas CorporationVPPPA CHAPTER ROUND-UPS 36 Director-at-Large Kimberly Watson, SouthwireCALENDAR OF EVENTS 40 Editor Sarah Neely, VPPPA, Inc. Editorial Mission The Leader (ISSN 1081-261X) is published quarterly for VPPPA members. The Leader delivers articles from members for members, safety and health best practices, developments in the field of occupational safety and health, association activities, educational and networking opportunities and the latest VPP approvals. Subscriptions are available for members as part of their membership benefits and at a 50 percent discount beyond the complimentary allotment. The nonmember subscription rate is $25 a year. Ideas and opinions expressed within The Leader represent the independent views of the authors. Postmaster >> Please send address changes to: VPPPA, Inc. • 7600-E Leesburg Pike • Ste. 100 Falls Church, VA 22043-2004 VPPPA, Inc., the premier global safety and health organization, is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization that promotes advances in worker safety and health excellence through best practices and cooperative efforts among workers, employers, the government and communities.INFOGRAPHIC CORNER 42 THE LEADER vpppa.org 5

global safety and health watchSmoke and MirrorsBY CHARLIE DOSS, GOVERNMENT O n September 18, the U.S. (particularly ischemic heart disease and stroke)AFFAIRS MANAGER, VPPPA Environmental Protection Agency and certain types of cancer. This compounds (EPA) revealed that German the dangers associated with numerousEstimates vary because carmaker Volkswagen (VW) had used software respiratory diseases caused or exacerbated byof the tangential effects in almost a half million diesel-fueled vehicles air pollution. As a result, WHO estimated thatof NOx on health, but one in the U.S. to circumvent its nitrogen oxide in 2012, one in eight deaths across the planet,estimate puts annual U.S. (NOx) emissions requirements. The software or 7 million people, were the result of airearly deaths due to NOx could detect when the vehicle was being tested pollution. Deaths and illnesses associated withemissions from all sources for emissions and cut power and performance air pollution disproportionately affect low andat 58,000. in order to pass, reverting to its default state in middle-income nations. This is largely due to normal driving conditions. As a result, NOx the indoor use of coal and particularly timber emissions from these vehicles on the road were as a fuel source in some regions. 10 to 40 times the limit currently allowed under federal regulations. VW then revealed This issue cannot be dismissed in wealthy that the same measures were used in at least 11 nations, however. In the context of the U.S., million vehicles worldwide. a more recent study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) found that The company’s chief executive subsequently 200,000 people die every year from air stepped down and its remaining management pollution. Road transportation, mainly from prepared for penalties that could easily vehicle emissions, was the worst culprit, measure in the billions of dollars, outside of causing 53,000 premature deaths, followed potential class action lawsuits and criminal closely by electrical power generation at proceedings, by setting aside $7.3 billion. 52,000. Regional variations follow what you The uproar over Volkswagen’s scandal has might expect: residential sources of pollution brought up discussions about the effects of are greater on the East Coast; industrial air pollution on health. Recent policy debates pollution is highest in the Midwest; refinery have focused on air pollution’s contribution emissions were greatest along the Gulf Coast; to global climate change, but it continues to and shipping-related pollution peaked on have severe and widespread consequences for the West Coast. One of the study’s authors public health. suggested that the reason why road pollution accounts for the most deaths is relatively NOx itself is harmful as a lung irritant. simple: vehicles are concentrated in the most However, it indirectly contributes to many heavily-populated areas, and slower traffic, other illnesses by combining with other by its very nature, exposes the highest levels pollutants to form smog. Estimates vary of exhaust to the greatest number of people. because of the tangential effects of NOx on health, but one estimate puts annual U.S. With such a wide scale betrayal of early deaths due to NOx emissions at 58,000. public trust by VW, the world’s number Health officials in Europe are even more one carmaker in terms of sales, many other concerned about the VW revelations because governments are launching their own of the relatively widespread adoption of diesel investigations. Questions have been raised vehicles across the continent. about whether there were any attempts to blow the whistle on this massive scheme to More broadly, air pollution is one of the circumvent regulations. Clearing the air of leading causes of death globally. The World suspicion will be difficult as consumers and Health Organization (WHO) cites recent regulators begin to doubt whether other studies that have found a more robust link companies have been evading standards meant than previously understood between air to protect public health. pollutant exposure and cardiovascular diseases6 THE LEADER vpppa.org

THE 2015 EDDIE & OZZIE AWARDSThe Leader Recognized forEditorial ExcellenceHONORABLE MENTION V PPPA’s quarterly magazine, The to the Federal Railroad Administration and Leader, was nominated for a national private railroad companies looking to improve Folio award for editorial excellence! their safety practices. The full article can be The annual awards program—spanning all viewed as a feature article at www.vpppa.org. corners of the magazine publishing industry— recognizes the very best in editorial and design. There are several well-known associations It’s the most comprehensive and prestigious who entered the awards, as well as many awards program of its kind in the industry. commercial publications. Some other finalists in the nonprofit sector included: AARP, ASAE, The Leader article, “Railroad Track Safety— HR Magazine, US Green Building Council, Safest in Decades, More Improvements on Rotary International, NRA Publications, the Horizon,” was selected from nearly 3,000 American Heart Association and many more. entries by a panel of more than 300 judges as a Some other finalists in the commercial sector contender for the coveted Folio “Eddie” Award. were The Harvard Business Review, POLITICO, Six other publications were also finalists in the The Atlantic, National Geographic and Time. nonprofit category. VPPPA will continue providing high-caliber, The article ran in the summer 2014 issue informative articles to members and we hope of the magazine and has also been circulated to be recognized again in the future. THE LEADER vpppa.org 7

washington update Deputy Assistant Jordan Barab Highlights VPP’s This is not the first time OSHA has referred Secretary of Labor for Important Role in the Safety and to VPP sites as ambassadors. In addition to Occupational Safety Health Community their stellar safety records, these locations and Health Jordan dedicate themselves to making their industries Barab addresses VPPPA At the Voluntary Protection Programs and communities safer. Through the Special conference attendees Participants’ Association’s (VPPPA) national Government Employee (SGE) Program, during the Opening conference, attendees heard from government experts at VPP sites share their knowledge and General Session. officials about the importance of sharing the experience with OSHA on onsite VPP audits. successes of VPP. Recently, OSHA coordinated with the VPPPA BY CHARLIE DOSS, to improve the program by making better use GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS MANAGER, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for of SGEs. Under the new guidelines, SGEs may VPPPA, INC. Occupational Safety and Health Jordan assist with the review of new VPP applications Barab spoke to attendees about VPP’s and existing sites’ annual self-evaluations. In addition to their decades of success and its importance to the Another key change is that employees at stellar safety records, agency and country as a whole, “We created Department of Defense (DoD) VPP sites these locations dedicate VPP, OSHA created VPP, over 30 years ago may now become SGEs. DoD utilizes VPP at themselves to making and we are committed to maintaining it. We dozens of sites to ensure mission readiness by their industries and created it because we thought we needed, reducing injuries and illnesses, which Assistant communities safer. and in fact this country needed, a cadre Secretary Michaels and Barab highlighted in of companies that go above and beyond, a recent visit to the Carderock Naval Surface8 THE LEADER vpppa.org that really set an example for all other Warfare Center in Maryland for its VPP companies.” Through VPP, management approval ceremony. and labor unite to comprehensively address workplace safety at 2,200 worksites across He then shifted to recent budget concerns as the U.S. These locations have injury and his speech progressed. The federal government illness rates approximately 50 percent below shutdown in 2013 and the effects of the average for their industry. To Barab, sequestration, limitations on spending that were VPP’s innovative solutions help to serve as intended as a temporary incentive for a much “a model as we walk around the country, broader budget deal, created a backlog of VPP site as we speak around the country, [Assistant re-approvals and delayed OSHA’s efforts to admit Secretary of Labor Dr. David Michaels] and new sites into the programs. Barab reassured VPP I and our staff, on the importance of safety sites that the agency is making efforts to fix these programs. You are the living example of that. problems, “For the past several years, almost all of You are the ambassadors.” our regions have managed to process all of their scheduled re-approvals and have room for a few new applicants as well. We have a lot of work to do with that, we have a way to go before we can actually get to the point that all of our regions can feel free and have the resources to admit the number of new participants we’d like to admit every year, but we are making progress on that. And that is good news considering the budget constraints that we have.” “We are counting on your creativity and your passion as a hallmark of this group to help us through this puzzle.” He continued, “Which is why I ask you, our VPP sites, to do even more. In terms of educating our political leaders and our social leaders about the importance of safety and health and the importance of what the Occupational Safety and Health Administration does, and the importance of the VPP program.” Outside of the administration of the program, Barab went on to stress how VPP fits into OSHA’s overall mission, “We’re still faced

with 12 fatalities a day across the country. And that’s why, since 2010, I’ve been the Congressman Gene Green addressesAgain, it’s much better than it was 20, 30, 40 Democratic lead on trying to authorize or put VPPPA conference attendees during theyears ago, but still far too high. All of these are into statute the VPP program.” Opening General Session.preventable. And with your help we can workto prevent more and more of these every year.” Rep. Green is referring to the VPP Act (H.R. THE LEADER vpppa.org 2500) which officially authorizes the programs, “The impact of VPP is much greater when providing stability through congressional action.you share your success stories and persuade The legislation has gained bipartisan supportothers to move toward a much improved and would allow OSHA to meet Secretary ofculture of safety. There is nothing more Labor Thomas Perez’s goal of increasing thepowerful than demonstrating to your peers the number of VPP sites in coming years.terrific results of safety and health managementsystems in terms of reduced injuries, decreased VPP participants are making their voicesabsenteeism, increased productivity, and heard on Capitol Hill through congressionalincreased profits.” outreach visits several times a year. In conjunction with the VPPPA National Adding to that, “We also challenge you to Board of Directors meeting on Novembereducate the political leaders of this country 17, 2015, VPP members will be visitingabout the importance of workplace safety, and congressional offices on November 18–19the crucial part that OSHA plays, and the to share their stories. If you are interested inunique and vital contribution that VPP makes.” taking part in future congressional outreach, either in Washington, D.C., or closer to In the cooperative spirit of VPP, Barab home, please contact the VPPPA nationalemphasized participants’ relationship with office at [email protected], orOSHA as an ongoing dialogue, “We all (703) 761-1146.have a tremendous opportunity to work onthis together, and add to the impact of thisprogram. So I invite and challenge all ofyou to help us improve how we administerthis important program, how we grow thisimportant program, and how we ensure itsviability and integrity, and how we, together,continue to lead American industry tocontinuously improve the conditions ofworking people in this country.” “It is important that your stories are told andtold again because they show what it takes todo the right thing and how you can benefit, notonly your companies, but also, more importantly,workers, from doing the right thing.”VPP Gains Support in CongressAttendees also heard from Congressman GeneGreen (D TX-29). A longtime championof VPP, Rep. Green received an award fromthe VPPPA National Board of Directors andshared why VPP is important to him and hisconstituents, “And in our district, whateverwe make, either the process or the product,is inherently volatile. So job safety is themost important thing. And that’s why I’vesupported the VPP program for so many yearsbecause those plants are the ones who will nothave those accidents that we have, becausethey know how important safety is, not onlyto their company but to the folks that workthere and for the families of those employeeswho work there. That’s why it’s so special. 9

state-plan monitorCOMPILED BY Arizona The new MVPP Advisory Group held itsCHARLIE DOSS, GOVERNMENT second meeting in June. The group’s firstAFFAIRS MANAGER, VPPPA, INC. There are currently 37 sites in the Arizona task is to decide how to best promote and state-plan program. New additions to the generate additional interest in the MVPP. Federal OSHA States program include Loven Contracting Inc. in There are currently three applications State-Plan States Flagstaff, Kitchell Contractors Inc. in Phoenix pending for the MVPP. The applicants are Public Sector Only and Mesquite Solar 1 Inc. in Tonopah. E&E Manufacturing (Plymouth), Marathon Pipe Line LLC (Woodhaven) and Marathon Hunter Douglas Horizontal Blinds was TT&R North Muskegon. re-approved for the program for the first time. Best practices cited included the use of shadow An MVPP re-approval celebration was held boards and Spanish language training. Frito-Lay at Huntsman in Auburn Hills. The event Distribution Center in Phoenix was re-approved was attended by MIOSHA Director Martha for the third time with its utilization of daily Yoder, MVPP Manager Sherry Scott, Specialist inspections and guarding cited as best practices. Kimmel, and other MIOSHA representatives. Finally, McCarthy Building Companies had three more sites qualify for approval. Star re-evaluations have been performed at Herman Miller’s Midwest Distribution Michigan Facility (Holland) and Walbridge (Detroit). The reports for both these are currently being The number of sites in the Michigan Voluntary reviewed. Huntsman, Auburn Hills has been Protection Program (MVPP) remains steady re-approved for participation in the MVPP. at 28, with 26 Star and two construction (MVPP/C) sites. There are currently no Rising The Fall 2015 MVPP Mentors Meeting Star (Merit) sites in the MVPP. was held in Lansing on October 28, 2015. Additionally, MIOSHA also plans to hold an Michigan OSHA (MIOSHA) has been active MVPP Informational Workshop at the end in the promotion of the MVPP with MVPP of 2015. Specialist Doug Kimmel giving an update on the program at the regional update session at the “Like” us on Facebook and follow us on VPPPA annual national conference. In addition, Twitter www.twitter.com/mi_osha. For Specialist Kimmel has delivered presentations further details on the MVPP, please to the attendees of the Ford Land Construction contact Doug Kimmel, MVPP specialist, at Contractors Safety meeting as well as to (231) 546-2366, or visit the MIOSHA individual companies including Worthington website at www.michigan.gov/miosha. Specialty Processing (Jackson). Nevada Nevada’s VPP currently has 10 active sites. New applications were received from Cintas Corporation, Starbucks Coffee Roasting, and Copper Mountain Sites #2 & #3. Nevada OSHA and the SCATS (Safety Consultation and Training) are developing a new structure for cooperative programs in Program Development & Projects which will require Safety and Health Recognition Program (SHARP) approval before an application for VPP is recognized. Nevada is developing an opportunity for each site to produce one special government employee (SGE).Columbia Vista Saw Mill in Vancouver celebrates its star ceremony. Washington Washington State VPP currently has 32 sites. Recent new sites include: Starbucks Coffee Company—Kent Flexible Plant (Kent) and Trident Seafoods Pier 91 (Seattle). Recent re-approvals include: Monsanto Company (Othello), Georgia-Pacific Packaging (Olympia),10 THE LEADER vpppa.org

contacting each state >>General Electric Power and Water—River Road Alaska Michigan South CarolinaGenerating Plant (Vancouver). Bill Nickerson Doug Kimmel Sharon Dumit VPP Coordinator MVPP Specialist VPP Coordinator Ceremonies were held for Starbucks Coffee Phone: (907) 269-4948 Phone: (231) 546-2366 Phone: (803) 896-7788Company—Kent Flexible Plant (Kent), Trident www.labor.state.ak.us/lss/ Sherry Scott www.scosha.llronline.comSeafoods Pier 91 (Seattle), General Electric oshhome.htm MVPP ManagerPower and Water—River Road Generating Plant Phone: (517) 322-5817 Tennessee(Vancouver), Columbia Vista (Vancouver). Arizona www.michigan.gov/mvpp David Blessman Jessie Atencio VPP Manager Recent onsite evaluations conducted Assistant Director Minnesota Phone: (615) 253-6890with reports in process: Phillips 66 Pipeline Phone: (520) 220-4222 Ryan Nosan www.state.tn.us/labor-wfd/(Tacoma), Weyerhaeuser Coastal Operations www.ica.state.az.us/ MNSTAR VPP Coordinator vppStar.html(Aberdeen), CMC Biologics (Bothell), ADOSH/ADOSH_main.aspx Phone: (651) 284-5120Honeywell Electronic Materials (Spokane). www.doli.state.mn.us/ Utah California mnStar.html Holly Lawrence In March, participants in Washington State Iraj Pourmehraban VPP ManagerVPP presented information on how to build Cal/VPP & PSM Manager Nevada Phone: (801) 530-6494a safety culture at the 3rd Annual Voluntary Phone: (510) 622-1080 Jess Lankford www.laborcommission.Protection Programs Seminar in Tumwater. www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/cal_ VPP Coordinator utah.gov/divisions/UOSH/Over 160 employers and employees were on vpp/cal_vpp_index.html Phone: (702) 486-9046 VPPprogram.htmlhand to learn how to improve their workplaces. www.dirweb.state.nv.us Hawaii Vermont Sessions included: Clayton Chun New Mexico Daniel Whipple• A Workplace Injury Can Change Manager Melissa Barker VPP Coordinator Phone: (808) 586-9110 VPP Coordinator Phone: (802) 828-5084 Your Life Forever labor.hawaii.gov/hiosh Phone: (505) 222-9595 www.labor.vermont.gov/ Matt Pomerinke www.nmenv.state. vosha Papermaker and Safety Rep, KapStone Paper Indiana nm.us/Ohsb_Website/ and Packaging Corporation Beth A. Gonzalez ComplianceAssistance/VPP. Virginia• A Journey to Safety Excellence VPP Team Leader htm Milford Stern Jim Norris and Robbie Rotz Indiana Dept. of Labor VPP Coordinator Risk Management Specialists, WA Phone: (317) 607-6778 North Carolina Phone: (540) 562-3580 Labor & Industries www.in.gov/dol/vpp.htm LaMont Smith www.doli.virginia.gov/vosh_• How Involved is Your Company in Safety? Recognition Program coop/vosh_vpp.html Ron Huggins PhD, CIH, CSP Iowa Manager EHS Manager, Schweitzer Engineering Shashi Patel Phone: (919) 807-2909 Washington Laboratories, Inc. VPP Coordinator www.nclabor.com/osha/osh. John Geppert• Demonstrating Management Commitment Phone: (515) 281-6369 htm VPP Manager Terry J. Schulte www.iowaworkforce.org/ Phone: (360) 902-5496 National VPPPA Board of Directors and HSE labor/iosh Oregon www.lni.wa.gov/safety/ Manager, NuStar Energy Mark E. Hurliman, CSHM topics/atoz/vpp/default.asp• Building an Organizational Safety Culture Kentucky VPP/SHARP Program Lyle Eiseman Joe Giles Manager Wyoming Operating Group Director Lean Innovation, VPP Program Administrator Phone: (541) 776-6016 Karin Schubert Mortenson Construction Phone: (502) 564-4089 www.cbs.state.or.us/osha/ Consultation Supervisor Representatives from Washington State VPP labor.ky.gov/dows/ subjects/vpp.htm Phone: (307) 777-7710sites presented information about VPP during oshp/doet/partnership/ www.wyomingworkforce.a workshop at the Washington State Governors pages/VPP---Voluntary- Puerto Rico org/employers-and-Industrial Safety and Health Conference in Protection-Partnership.aspx Ilza Roman businesses/osha/Pages/Tacoma, October 7–8, 2015. Director safety-and-health- On October 14th, representatives from Maryland Phone: (787) 754-2171 compliance.aspxWashington State VPP sites attended a Cynthia L. Wheeler www.dtrh.gobierno.prnetworking meeting hosted by Nucor Steel in VPP CoordinatorSeattle. Networking meetings are held twice Phone: (410) 527-4473a year at Washington State VPP sites as an www.dllr.state.md.us/labor/opportunity to ask questions and share best mosh/vpp.shtmlpractices. This meeting included a tour of thefacility and sessions on employee engagement, For additional information and up-to-date contacts, please visitradiation for non-nuclear worksites and www.vpppa.org/chapters/contacts.cfmsustaining VPP. THE LEADER vpppa.org 11

31STNATAIONSANFNCEOTANUYF&LEARHEEVLNACLPTEHPPA Conference Wrap-upO n August 24–27, 2015, in educational opportunities for attendees to 1 Workshops were packed Grapevine, TX, more than 2,500 learn about best practices, management throughout the conference safety & health professionals commitment, employee involvement and as attendees seized theconvened at the 31st Annual National VPPPA other tracks. Workshop speakers ranged opportunity to take knowledgeSafety & Health Conference. Attendees from from motivational speakers to workers at back to their sites by learningseven countries, 49 states, Washington, D.C. VPP sites, and each had a story to share about new best practicesand Puerto Rico all gathered at the Gaylord that left attendees motivated and eager to and technology, increasingTexan Convention Center for four days bring knowledge and guidance they learned employee engagement,of workshops and an opening and closing back to their sites. listening to cautionarysession, to further their knowledge of safety tales and revamping their& health practices. Additionally, the VPPPA A new event this year, Casino Night training programsconference was honored to host more than offered attendees a chance to network, as140 Department of Defense employees from well as an opportunity to test their card- 2 Attendees try their luck at oneall branches of the military. playing skills. Poker, blackjack, craps and of the poker tables during roulette were the featured games of the Casino Night for a chance to The Opening General Session featured night, and attendees tried their luck to win win prizesspeakers including Congressman Gene tickets that could be turned in for raffleGreen from the 29th District of Texas and drawings. The closing reception featured a 3 Former Dallas Cowboy stara lead sponsor of the VPP Act; Jordan wide variety of activities including caricature Daryl “Moose” Johnston signsBarab, deputy assistant secretary of labor for artists, henna and airbrush tattoos, a autographs and poses for photosOSHA; and Peter Cella, president and CEO magician, a mechanical bull, a DJ, a wild with attendees after the Closingof Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP. west photo booth and a live steer. The General SessionThe second part of the Opening General Texan theme was completed with smokedSession featured the motivating story of barbeque, which provided a great last night 4 V PPPA Chairman Mike MaddoxJim Davidson, who fell down an 80 foot for the conference. presents an award at thecrevasse and had to climb out alone, beating Opening General Session tothe odds of surviving. His story was featured The Closing General Session featured Congressman Gene Green inon the Animal Planet series “I Shouldn’t Daryl “Moose” Johnston, former Dallas appreciation for his long-standingBe Alive,” and he shared it with conference Cowboy and current analyst for the NFL on and continued support of theattendees during the general session and a Fox. Daryl spoke about safety in football and Voluntary Protection Programsprivate screening of the episode. his experience in being a part of a team. He took questions at the end and stayed after to 5 Motivational speaker Jim The exhibit hall featured a record- sign autographs and take pictures. It was a Davidson captures the attentionbreaking 250 exhibiting companies and great ending to a very successful conference! of attendees with his story ofeight product theater workshops. Exhibitors perseverance and survivalshowcased their products to the attendees Thank you to everyone who attended thethrough displays and demonstrations. The 31st annual conference and we look forward 6 Congressman Gene Greenexhibit hall remained packed throughout to seeing you next year at the Gaylord Palms (center left), lead sponsor of thethe conference, with attendees eager to see Convention Center, August 29–September VPP Act (H.R. 2500) is joined bythe latest and greatest products designed for 1, 2016, at the 32nd Annual National Deputy Assistant Secretary ofworkplace safety and health. VPPPA Safety & Health Conference! Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Jordan Barab (center An extra day of workshops was added to To view conference photos, check out right), VPPPA Chairman Mikethe schedule this year, allowing for more our Flickr account at www.flickr.com/ Maddox (right) and VPPPA Vice photos/135680172@N03/ Chairman Mike Guillory (left) at the Board of Directors Reception 7 Attendees take in the Exhibit hall activities and meet VPPPA vendor companies12 THE LEADER vpppa.org

1 2 3 4 5 The exhibit hall7 featured a record- breaking 250 exhibiting companies and eight product theater workshops. 6 THE LEADER vpppa.org 13

BY CHRIS CANTWELL MANAGER OF ENVIRONMENT, SAFETY AND HEALTH BECHTEL NUCLEAR, SECURITY & ENVIRONMENTAL14 THE LEADER vpppa.org

HAZARDInteractiveTRAINING Boosts Project Safety One challenge faced by companies today is getting employee safety training to stick. Several VPP-approved sites are employing interactive training methods to encourage a higher level of engagement, improve training oversight and strengthen project safety culture. THE LEADER vpppa.org 15

Employees learn more in a safe, secure environment where they can learn from real examples that they are likely to encounter.Interactive training methods—often referred and chemical waste from Cold War nuclear but at ground level instead of two stories up, can to as simulator, mock-up or scenario- weapons production. prevent a drop or fall. based training—immerse employees in an environment they can experience, rather A New Respect for Training With interactive training, safety instructors than read about. During interactive training, have more opportunities to teach key lessons. employees can walk through a mock worksite, The construction workforce at SRR has more By observing employees during a live-training handle model equipment and practice hazard than 28 million hours without a lost-time injury. scenario, instructors can relay commands, scenarios. Key safety messages are brought to The last one occurred in 1998—17 years ago! observe reactions and pause simulations to life and paired with experience in a controlled provide feedback. This interaction increases environment. For projects where working with “The vast majority of folks appreciate the the number of ways instructors can identify dangerous materials is common, interactive hands-on opportunities and gain a new respect insufficiently trained employees. training equips employees with the tools and for the training,” Stavru said. “The genesis experience to avoid workplace incidents. of our mock-ups was in lifting practices. “What we do is dangerous,” explains Our work involves lots of it and we wanted Walter Carnes, project environmental, safety Transporting, packaging and storing hazardous a safe environment for our guys to practice and health (ES&H) manager at the Pueblo materials is fraught with challenges. When proper communication and coordination of Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant. employees can practice correct procedures in movement.” SRR employees participate in The plant, now in final testing before starting a hands-on simulation or mock-site, project role-playing scenarios, cooperating in mock operations, will destroy most of the United safety culture improves. Three Bechtel-affiliated radiological environments to lift and maneuver States’ remaining stockpile of mustard agent. projects; Savannah River Remediation (SRR) prop equipment. The plant’s multi-step process involves the in South Carolina, Pueblo Chemical Agent- dismantling, cleaning and rendering of World Destruction Pilot Plant in Colorado and the Many VPP sites are construction sites and War I and II-era chemical munitions for safe Waste Treatment Plant (WTP) in Washington, sites that require employees to interact with disposal. At all stages, employees must exercise deal with some of the world’s most volatile and hazardous materials. To improve their safety utmost caution and maintain strict discipline. dangerous substances on a daily basis, and safety and health management systems, some have culture and incident prevention are paramount. examined past workplace incidents for teachable ‘We Can Trust You to Work Safely’ moments. For projects that have adopted an “If we give people an opportunity for interactive approach to hazard training, using “We have to know that when you are on a job hands-on practice—in a safe environment, past incidents for training scenarios drive home site, we can trust you to work safely,” Carnes with no risk of injury—people will learn, but the consequences of neglecting safety. Allowing said. “Simulator training gives us confidence learn safely,” said David Stavru, construction trainees to navigate real-life examples with the because you’ve already safely performed these safety and health manager at SRR in South ability to “fail safely,” reinforces project safety tasks in front of an instructor.” Carolina. SRR is remediating radioactive culture. For example, installing a real-looking mock valve that weighs as much as the real thing, At Pueblo, employees undertake toxic area training and learn airlock procedures16 THE LEADER vpppa.org

that replicate conditions inside the facility. Most importantly, interactive training with real- When employeesThe project received VPP Star status for world examples educates participants about the can practice correctconstruction in 2009. In early 2015, Star implications of a workplace incident. procedures in a hands-onstatus was earned for the operations phase. simulation or mock“The key to earning and retaining Star VPP Star sites such as Hanford Waste site, project safetystatus is employee involvement,” said project Treatment Plant, Pueblo Chemical Agent- culture improves.manager Rick Holmes. “More than 120 team Destruction Pilot Plant and Savannah Rivermembers participated in the development Remediation have adopted these successful THE LEADER vpppa.orgof the Occupational Safety and Health practices and been recognized by OSHA and theAdministration’s application. This level of Department of Energy for exhibiting the highestengagement ensured an increasingly safe values in occupational safety and health.work environment in addition to achievingStar status.” Bechtel is among the most respected engineering, project management and There are many effective rote-learning construction companies in the world. We standtools available in today’s ES&H marketplace. apart for our ability to get the job done right—noHowever, many project managers say repetitive matter how big, how complex or how remote.classroom instruction can become tedious Bechtel operates through four global businessand lead to employee disconnect. In recent units that specialize in infrastructure; miningyears, a number of VPP Star-approved project and metals; nuclear, security and environmentalsites have accompanied traditional classroom and oil, gas and chemicals. Since its foundingtraining with interactive methods. in 1898, Bechtel has worked on more than 25,000 projects in 160 countries on all seven “You can buy off-the-shelf videos all day long. continents. Today, our 58,000 colleagues teamThey are quality-made and get the message with customers, partners and suppliers onacross,” said Dick Nugent, ES&H manager at diverse projects in nearly 40 countries. For morethe VPP Star-approved Waste Treatment Plant information, visit www.bechtel.com.(WTP) project, where the U.S. Departmentof Energy is building a complex of industrialbuildings to treat and immobilize liquidradioactive waste into glass-like logs. “However,what we’ve found over the years is that employeescan become kind of numb watching theseprofessional videos because they don’t alwaysrelate to the work we are doing,” Nugent said.Identifying Threats,Recommending ControlsIn the basketball-court-sized WTP hazardsimulator, trainees must identify threatsin carefully-staged environments andrecommend controls in timed exercises.Accompanied by an instructor, employeesobserve staged worksites and situations,evaluating each for gaps in safety coverageand suggesting improvements such as movinga ladder to a safer position or separatingflammable materials from heat sources.WTP received VPP Star status in 2011, theVPP “Superior” Star in 2012 and the Star ofExcellence in 2015. Interactive hazard training is an opportunityfor sites to get the most out of employee training,and cultivate a successful project safety and healthmanagement system. Employees can engage withtraining rather than reading or passively watchinga video. These methods improve instructorfeedback and assessment of employee proficiency. 17

FATALITY AND CATASTROPHIC EVENTPREVENTION18 THE LEADER vpppa.org

BY STEVE WILLIAMS,B.S. SENIOR INSIGHT DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST ACCELERATED DEVELOPMENT SYSTEMS, INC. HOUSTON, TEXASHuman Performance and relative to perception formation that we doCatastrophic Event Prevention know. For example, we know that we take in sensory input from the five senses: sight,I assume, since you are reading this, sound, taste, touch and smell. We knowthat you, like myself, have an interest that these form streams of information thatin improving safety and reducing the go into our brains. As you read this article,pain and suffering associated with the words on the page are forming a streaminjuries. Although applying engineering of information that enters your brain. Thesedesigns in ways that make safe operation words are being perceived by you to haveless dependent on error-free human greater or lesser value. If your cell phoneperformance is most desirable, we know rings while you are reading this, that is athat this is not always possible. This article second stream of incoming informationwill address some advanced aspects of and you will quickly decide which stream ofhuman safety performance, specifically, incoming information gets your attentionhow perceptions of risk are formed. or focus. One of the issues with people not accurately perceiving risk is not focusing If human performance becomes an attention where it needs to be.issue at some point on your safety journey,you shouldn’t have any trouble justifying Perceptual Biasyour efforts in that direction. If you wantto tackle the human performance slice of We also know that before perceptions arethe safety pie, you may need to prove to formed, the incoming streams seem tothe organization that you are on the right be filtered through things like emotion,track. To accomplish this, you will need to bias, our sense of urgency relative to ago back through the injury and unplanned particular task or situation and otherevent reports for the last year or two with factors. This might explain why a personkey members of the organization. might do something that is totally out of the norm for them and why they often By doing this, you will be able to cannot tell you later why they did whatdetermine how many had a human they did.performance issue as a contributingfactor. More specifically, how many were If you would like a simple example ofpreventable with better awareness? Once how an incoming information streamthis is done, you can begin to ask the might get filtered through bias and maybequestion: Awareness of what? even a little emotion, allow me to offer this. Imagine a horizontal line on a piecePerception Formation as the of paper with the word “good” writtenKey to Risk Recognition on the left side and the word “bad” written on the right side. I am going toIn my experience, when we talk about furnish you with two streams of incomingpreventable fatalities, catastrophic events information in the form of one wordor even recordable injuries, there was a risk each. My bet is that for most people inpresent that, for “whatever reason” was not the U.S., one of these words will go ontoaccurately perceived. the good side of the paper and the other will go to the bad side. The two words are I would be the first to agree the ways Democrats and Republicans.perceptions are formed is a complex issueand that there are things that we do notknow. On the other hand, there are things THE LEADER vpppa.org 19

High Risk low Risk Hopefully you can see from this deciding how that incoming information demonstration that those incoming might get filtered at a particular time. It We also know that before information streams are filtered through bias would probably be a mistake to believe that perceptions are formed, as our perceptions are formed. What has this these stay absolutely constant with people, the incoming streams got to do with safety? What if the bias in irrespective of what their stated priority for seem to be filtered through those filters were not political but was more safety might be. things like emotion, bias, along the lines of “it won’t happen to me?” our sense of urgency and And, what if that type of bias leads us to Perception Formation and Risk / other factors. routinely look at a task with less than certain Hazard Recognition data and make “best case assumptions?” FIGURE 1 What if that kind of thinking had been The third facet of perception formation might rewarded and reinforced for years by the be how that incoming information stream is highest levels of management? Shortly, I will categorized after being filtered to form the present a case study and ask you to draw your actual perception relative to risk. In other own conclusions. words, we have to focus on a particular task or situation to form an incoming information Confirmation Bias stream. If we are looking the other way at birds flying overhead, no risk perception For those not already familiar with the related to that task is formed. concept of confirmation bias, it suggests that we tend to see or perceive what we are For the streams where there is focus on expecting to see or perceive. A good example a specific task, the incoming information of this would be people in cars leaving a stop stream gets filtered (or mentally processed) sign only to collide with a motorcycle rider as we mentioned earlier, and that stream who had the right of way. In most cases, the seems to then flow into a perceptual category driver of the car will tell you that they simply relative to risk. To better understand this, we did not see the motorcycle. Why? They were might once again draw a horizontal line or expecting to see a car. Proportionally, these continuum with “high risk” on one side and type of accidents have become fewer in the “low risk” on the other side, with moderate last couple of decades. I would suggest that being somewhere in the middle. For any the reason for this is two-fold. First, there are particular task or situation we focus on, that more motorcycles on the road today so we incoming stream of information gets filtered have become more conditioned to accurately and a perception of the risk is formed that perceive their presence. Second, a large falls somewhere along our continuum (see number of the motorcycles today share the Figure 1). big twin type engine designs made popular by Harley Davidson. As you have no doubt Hopefully we can agree that when a heard, these big twins are often fitted with preventable fatality or a catastrophic event loud pipes which give car and truck drivers happens, there was in fact, risk present that a second stream of incoming information was not accurately perceived. Let me give (audio) with which to perceive their presence you a concrete example. In October of 2008, on the road. the Texas Gulf Coast was hit by Hurricane Ike. We knew this was going to be a serious On the subject of perceptions, so far we storm, there were even law enforcement have mentioned focus. Focus means choosing officers going door-to-door along the coast the correct incoming information stream and to warn people that they were under a mandatory evacuation. The law enforcement This TaskHigh Risk--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Low Risk ?20 THE LEADER vpppa.org

officers then left the area themselves. Most of FIGURE 2those people along the coast did as they weretold and left. However, seventy-two people Degree of Certaintymisjudged the level of risk, attempted to ride Highly Certain--------------------------------------Not Really Sureout the storm and died as a result. What Are We Assuming? Before I get into Accelerated Development Worst Case------------------------------------------------Best CaseSystems, Inc.’s case study, I need to letyou know that everything I will mention Have we considered all the incoming information streamshere, and more, is a matter of public record that might affect this task?and readily available if you care to dothe research. We are not giving away any accident investigation component primarily safety concern, but insisting that the worksecrets. I will begin by acknowledging that focused on conditions. This wound up being proceed without further review.our role in this transformation was not a particularly good fit since our processthat important. What turned this situation focused more on factors that influence human How Did It Work In Practice?around was what a few key people did with performance such as levels of awareness,what we had given them. impulse management and perceptual accuracy This created a more systematic approach or hazard recognition. than what had been happening in the past.The Case Study Previously, if a concern was raised, it was often So, how do we go about striving for more dismissed and the work proceeded unchecked.This study involves a large refinery in Texas accurate perceptions? This team consisted This new approach offered a systematic waythat had averaged a fatality a year for thirty of mostly hourly or union people with a to stop work. It was also now done in a wayyears. In addition to these thirty, fifteen management sponsor and a salaried safety that eliminated the chance of discipline formore people perished in a single explosion engineer on board. After we trained this insubordination since no one was refusing to doevent in 2005, bringing the total to forty- team, a few of the union people took these the job. The original complex model was short-five fatalities over a thirty year period (Curly, advanced concepts—levels of awareness, lived. It soon morphed into a much simpler2009). Another interesting fact: this facility impulse management and perceptual version with fewer parameters and in some cases,had implemented a conventional behavior- accuracy—and trained everyone in the plant the written instruments created were not usedbased safety (BBS) process ten years earlier in a four hour session. Since we have to at all. By this time, what was on the “Exceptionthat was still active. When implemented, limit the scope of this article, I will only be to Safe Work Practices” document was wellthat BBS process did reduce the recordable discussing enhancing perceptual accuracy, understood and there was always the option toinjuries, but apparently did nothing to lessen which was what the team deemed to be the get the “exception” paper signed if need be. Ithe rate of fatalities. I am a big advocate of most potent of these three concepts. After thought at first that this was bad news, but, theBBS methods and believe on a deep level reviewing the fatalities, they agreed that reality was that a simpler, less formal approachthat they should be an integral part of every all of them, and most of their recordable turned out to be something people were moresafety portfolio. But, I have to admit, BBS injuries, were preventable. They also likely to actually use in the field.has a limited capacity. These shortfalls are concluded that almost all had a humanparticularly visible in the area of enhancing performance component as a contributing The Idea of Ideal Complexityperceptual accuracy and other factors that factor. To better understand this question,influence the thinking that drives behavior the group formulated a rather complex risk This brings us to the idea of “ideal complexity.”such as levels of awareness and impulse- matrix/perception enhancement model Almost every organization has some sort ofdriven actions. which they called “Exception to Safe Work formal risk-assessment instrument or model Practices.” Below this rather complex model, they either designed or adopted to help people With forty-five fatalities in a thirty year they had wording which essentially stated better recognize, or more accurately perceive theperiod, we were dealing with a culture where that there was a concern for the way that level of risk. The question is, how often and tothere were very significant problems relative a certain job was being approached. The what degree are people in the field actually usingto people accurately perceiving risk, whether document went on to say that if the job it? The idea of “ideal complexity” therefore,it was a condition or behavior. We were could not be stopped for a deeper review, would mean a personal risk-recognition toolengaged in January of 2009 and, although the supervisor or manager of that job would that was complex enough to be effective andthat facility has changed owners, there has sign this “exception” document. By signing simple enough that people were actually usingnot been a fatality in a little over six years at the document, (which as far as I know it, especially those people who were typicallythe time this article was written in September never actually happened) that supervisor exposed to the most risk (hourly people).2015. To be accurate, it’s important to note or manager was acknowledging the seriousthat the United Steel Workers (USW) began The questions that arose most in the fieldtraining on their Triangle of Prevention were: What is our degree of certainty? What(T.O.P.) process at about the same time ourtraining began. The T.O.P. process is not onlyfocused on finding and correcting unsafeconditions proactively, there is an in-depth THE LEADER vpppa.org 21

FIGURE 3 Degree of Certainty Highly Certain------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Not Really SureWorst Case------------------------------W--h--a-t--A-r-e--W---e--A-s--s-u-m--i-n-g--?------------------------------- Best Case Have we considered all the incoming information streams that might affect this task?are we assuming? Have we considered all the The idea here is that the higher our people to see that where they get into trouble isincoming information streams that could affect degree of certainty about a situation, or routinely making best-case assumptions with athis job? (Jewell, 2009a) of being able to perform a task, the more low level of certainty, as depicted in Figure 5. we can allow ourselves to make “best case Later, some of our other teams put those assumptions.” (see Figure 4) The team at this refinery discovered thatquestions into graphic form as seen in Figure 2. they had a culture where it had become Conversely, the less certain we are about a routine not to consider all the factors that If you are an OSH professional, there situation or activity, the more we need to be could affect the completion of a task and tois a good chance that, at some point in considering worst-case scenarios. Some safety make best-case assumptions. In addition, thisyour career, you may be placed in a union professionals might argue that the safest thing was going on without the needed degree ofenvironment. When that happens, it is not to do is always insist on a very high degree of certainty relative to potential outcomes onunusual to hear some managers say that certainty and assume the worst-case scenario. tasks they were about to perform.some of the union’s safety concerns are That might be the safest option, and evendriven by a motive to slow down a job rather necessary on very high-risk tasks such as lifting It might be worth mentioning that not onlythan a concern for safety. While that may distillation towers into place. However, it is did the fatalities at this facility abruptly stop, thehave some validity in some organizations, in unrealistic and a very hard sell for day-to-day two years that followed implementation provedthis case, experiencing forty-five fatalities in activities, which is where most of the thirty to be the safest in the fifty-plus year history ofthirty years made that notion an easy one to fatalities in question happened. Parameters allow that refinery, which has since been sold (Rushing,push back against (see Figure 3). 2011). Having the USW’s T.O.P. incident investigation process no doubt helped, and weFIGURE 4 helped facilitate the team through the creation of an employee-designed advanced safety process Degree of Certainty that went deeper than BBS. The bulk of theHighly Certain--------------------------------------Not Really Sure credit belongs to a small group of what I consider to be exceptional union people. In addition, What Are We Assuming? this could not have happened without a fewWorst Case------------------------------------------------Best Case progressive-thinking and exceptional managers and engineers that helped create the right Have we considered all the incoming information streams environment for this change to take place. They that might affect this task? created a systematic way to openly challenge and refuse to act on some of these questionable perceptions and decisions and, more importantly, they used what they had created. We have deliberately left out the discussion about the explosion in 2005 that took 15 lives since there have been several articles and books written about that event. Suffice it to say, this too was preventable, had a human performance component and may in fact have22 THE LEADER vpppa.org

been prevented if this team’s risk perception FIGURE 5enhancement approach had been in use at thattime. If you would like to learn more about Degree of Certaintythe 2005 event, the book by Andrew Hopkins Highly Certain--------------------------------------Not Really Suretitled “Failure to Learn” explores factors thatled to that event in great detail. While I am not What Are We Assuming?convinced that all his conclusions are accurate, Worst Case------------------------------------------------Best Casethe actions and conditions leading up to theevent are well documented. Have we considered all the incoming information streams that might affect this task? The thirty fatalities which this discussionaddressed were a mixture of contractors 4. Rushing, C. (2011). Site Safety Engineer inand company people. What is interesting, performance reports to the Design andis that most of these fatalities happened on Implementation team.what were considered to be routine tasks andcontinued even after the explosion in 2005, For the past 23 years, Steve Williams haswith the last fatalities claiming the lives of two worked with some of the largest corporationscompany people in 2008. in the world, helping their people implement advanced safety processes focused on humanIn Summary performance enhancement (advanced meaning beyond behavior-based).Hopefully we have created some interest inthe relationship between risk recognition andperception formation as a frontier worthyof further exploration. Hopefully, you willalso begin to tinker with the idea of “idealcomplexity” relative to your risk recognitioninstruments, while keeping in mind what groupsof people are most likely to be injured. This case study shows that even in a situationwhere systemic problems at a high level arecreating a “best-case assumptions” culture, safetycan begin to be managed from the bottom up. Most safety professionals that I have hadcontact with recognize BBS as an importantstep in the evolution of safety enhancementmethods, but one with significant limitations.I will ask the reader to draw their ownconclusions on these next questions: Hasthe time come to take the next step toexplore other innovative human performanceenhancement methods that go beyond BBS?If so, what will that look like, and will you besomeone that helps make it happen? Refining crude oil would fall easily intothe high-risk category of jobs. The point hereis that having the right tools and motivatedpeople in place prevents injuries and fatalities,and allow us to perform work safely in therefining business.References1. Curly, K. (2009, Jan.). USW Health and Safety Co-chair in a recorded message to the plant population.2. Jewell, L. (2009a). USW Health and Safety Rep in training sessions delivered to plant population.3. Jewell, L. (2009b). USW Health and Safety Rep feedback from the field THE LEADER vpppa.org 23

Members of the project team included (left to right) Ben Davis, Karen Engebretson, William Hughes, Marco Nicacio, Ches Phillips and Dennis Riste. Not pictured: Pete Carlson and Mike Copeland. WASHINGTON RIVER PROTECTION Advanced Tool24 THE LEADER vpppa.org

BY: MARK MCKENNA COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST, WASHINGTON RIVER PROTECTION SOLUTIONS (WRPS), AND PROJECT TEAM WINNER: 2015 VPPPA INNOVATION AWARDSOLUTIONS DEVELOPSthat Significantly ReducesRadiation ExposureManaging the Hanford tank farms is among the largest and most complex environmental restoration projectsin the nation. WRPS’ mission is to reduce the risk to the environment by retrieving and treating 56 milliongallons of waste generated from 45 years of plutonium production activities in support of the nation’s defenseprogram. As part of the project, WRPS is also developing a complex system to feed the waste to the wastetreatment plant for immobilization and eventual disposal at a national repository.W ashington River Protection equipment used to retrieve highly radioactive identifying innovative solutions that help us Solutions (WRPS), the U.S. and chemical waste from Hanford’s tank farms. perform hazardous work safely and efficiently Department of Energy’s Tank on an everyday basis,” said Mark Lindholm,Operations contractor at the 586-square-mile The VPPPA Innovation Award is presented acting WRPS president and project manager.Hanford Site in Washington state, received to an individual, company or worksite that has “It’s an excellent example of how committedthe VPP Innovation Award for developing developed and implemented an innovation, our employees are to keeping each other safe.”a revolutionary surveying tool that reduces encouraged others to try new approachesworkers’ exposure to radiation by 50 percent. and emphasized the value of creativity and Hanford’s tank waste is stored in 177WRPS was recognized for designing, flexibility in the resolution of worker safety and underground tanks—149 aging single-shellfabricating and deploying a tool that reduces health problems. tanks and 28 newer and safer double-shellexposure while surveying long-length pieces of tanks. The tanks range in capacity from 55,000 “We’re honored to receive an award that to more than one million gallons, and currently recognizes the tank farm team’s dedication to THE LEADER vpppa.org 25

ABOVE: WRPS’ Stacy Thursby (3rd from contain enough waste to fill an area the size ofleft) holds the VPPPA Innovation Award a football field to a depth of more than 150at the VPPPA national conference feet. The majority of liquid has been removedAwards Reception in Grapevine, Texas. from the single-shell tanks and transferred toOther WRPS representatives at the double-shell tanks, leaving behind a diverseconference were, left to right, Ben Davis, mix of saltcake (peanut butter-like sludge) andKaren Engebretson, Kliss McNeel, Brian other hardened materials.Ivey, Steve Ellingson and Chris Thursby Because the tank waste poses a serious healthRIGHT: Use of the new tool and the risk, all work inside of them is performedassociated process has allowed remotely. To retrieve the tank waste, WRPS usesworkers to move into lower dose areas a variety of methods that require the use of long-while performing characterization length equipment including pumps, corrosion-surveys. This includes the HPTs who are detection probes, screens and high-pressurenow positioned away from the highly water jets for dissolving and mobilizing waste soradioactive long-length equipment and it can be pumped out of the tank.behind concrete blocks for shieldingwhile remotely recording the dose rates Consequently, most of the equipmentof the equipment. used during the waste retrieval process is highly contaminated and significant radiation A close-up photo of the tool Pump removal from a tank exposures can occur during handling. Surveys must be performed on the equipment in order26 THE LEADER vpppa.org to minimize exposure to personnel and to successfully facilitate disposal. The innovative tool features lightweight piping with nine survey points built in to properly position electronic dosimeters so that dose rates can be remotely recorded. The tool is then moved down the length of the long-length equipment until the survey is completed. “With the new process, the long-length equipment is staged between two-foot-thick concrete blocks, and the workers use the new tool to survey the equipment remotely with electronic dosimeters,” said Owen Berglund, a project manager for WRPS’ radiological controls department. Radiation exposure is measured in mrem units, one thousandth of a Roentgen Equivalent Man. Recent surveys indicated that workers who typically receive up to 75 mrem of dose exposure during the process received less than 10 mrem when the new tool was used. WRPS estimates the process improvement can save more than 1,500 mrem of exposure over the next year, and similar savings are projected for each of the subsequent years over the life of the project. These are significant savings, considering the administrative control levels for a radiological worker at Hanford has been set at 500 mrem a year. In addition to minimizing exposure to workers, the tool can cut the amount of time it takes to survey a large piece of equipment by 50 percent. Karen Engebretson, a member of WRPS’ radiological controls team, says collaboration among several WRPS organizations was key in creating the tool, “Our project team included

workers from the company’s radiological The innovative tool Pump removal from a tankcontrol, construction and waste management features lightweight pipingorganizations working together to design, with nine survey pointsconstruct and test the tool. The first-of-a-kind built in to properly positiontool reduces worker exposure during storage, electronic dosimeters soshipment and disposal.” that dose rates can be remotely recorded. WRPS is preparing to retrieve waste fromside-by-side tank farms known as A and AX. rates greater than 75 percent below the nationalThe farms contain a total of 10 tanks, each average, demonstrate outstanding mentoringwith a capacity of a million gallons. Retrieval and innovation and support the continuousis expected to start in 2017, and the new tool improvement of the DOE VPP system. WRPSwill be used to perform surveys during retrieval achieved VPP Star status in 2014.preparation activities. Mark McKenna is a communications specialist Lindholm said WRPS will continue to explore for Washington River Protection Solutionsinnovative solutions to complicated tank farm (WRPS), the tank farms contractor for theissues that will enhance safety, reduce costs and U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Riveraccelerate cleanup. “We’ll never stop looking for Protection. Mark has 20 years of experiencesafer and smarter ways to work,” he said. in communications, having worked for three Hanford contractors and three daily newspapers. WRPS is a limited liability company owned by His responsibilities at WRPS include internal andAECOM and Energy Solutions, with AREVA as external communications and media relations.its primary subcontractor. The partnership bringsdecades of experience to the job. In addition to the innovation award, WRPSwas awarded the VPPPA Star of Excellence atthe national conference. The Star of Excellence isawarded to VPP Star sites that have injury/illness THE LEADER vpppa.org 27

BY CHRISTOPHER J. COLBURN, MENG, CSP MANAGER, ENVIRONMENTAL, HEALTH AND SAFETY—NORTH AMERICA, AGCO CORPORATION, AND VPPPA DIRECTOR-AT-LARGE FOR REGION IV OPERATIONAL MISMATCH AND INCIDENT PREVENTION28 THE LEADER vpppa.org

I would like to begin with a question—a question that is somewhat revealing and provocative—“Do youbelieve that there is a mismatch between work imagined and work as completed in your organization?”The default answer would be “No, of course not—not in my organization.” But is that necessarily true? I amreminded of a story I once heard about a plant manager who would go out on the operations floor of amanufacturing facility and ask his supervisors, “Are your employees working safe today?” The supervisorswould, more often than not, respond, “Yes, of course they are.” Then he would ask, “How do you know?”The responses were often interesting. I use this same technique today, and I have gotten some prettyinteresting answers. The most common, and the one which gives me the greatest opportunity to expoundon the subject is, “because no one has gotten hurt.”The Absence of Injury Does Not in training, less than adequate tools and Regardless of the definitionIndicate the Presence of Safety equipment, may be present for many years you prefer, the message is before they combine with local circumstances very similar, in that, safetyMany times, people are lulled into the belief and active failures to penetrate the system’s is not measured by thethat because no one has gotten hurt, the layers of defenses.” lack of incidents or injuries.workplace is often safe enough. I have two The worker may have had the perception offundamental problems with that: 1) Is there safety; after all, he has been using the tool for a proceeded the failure. One could argue thatever really a point where a worksite is “safe period of time without incident. He may even the failure was the result of the worker’senough?” and 2) The absence of injury does believe it is acceptable to use the tool because poor judgment in using the tool. Perhapsnot indicate the presence of safety. Just because the supervisor, or even the safety manager, the supervisor is culpable; after all, isn’t heno one has gotten injured, does not mean that walked by and said nothing to him about or she responsible for ensuring that workersthere is not the potential for someone to suffer using the tool. We assume that the supervisor are following procedures and not engagingan injury. There are several definitions of safety or manager did not see the tool which he or in “at-risk” behavior? Maybe it was the safetythat can be found in publications. A couple of she inadvertently, tacitly approved the use of. manager who failed. What happened to themy favorites include Todd Conklin’s definition Then, one day, the tool fails and the worker is inspection process? Isn’t there a system infrom the book Pre-Accident Investigations: An injured and everyone is left wondering “What place to ensure the tools are inspected atIntroduction to Organizational Safety, in which happened?” What happened was that a hazard some frequency? After all, the worker hadhe states, “Safety is not the absence of events; existed in the workplace due to an inadequate been using the tool for a period of time,safety is the presence of defenses.” Conklin’s tool. That hazard then manifested itself, with successfully completing the work, withoutdefinition, in my opinion, is somewhat of the catalyst of an active failure, into an incident injury. This “blame game” finger-pointingan extension of the definition found in the which injured the worker. can go on and on without anyone pointingISO Guide 51:1999E which defines safety as To examine this a little further, what if the to the right issue and without anyone asking“Freedom from unacceptable risk.” Regardless injury does not require treatment beyond the right question. The question is not aof the definition you prefer, the message is very first-aid? Would it be reported? If it does not “why” question, it is a question of “how.”similar—safety is not measured by the lack of impact the incident rate (IR) of the facility, How did the organization, as a whole, allowincidents or injuries. Organizations who feel it may even fall through the cracks and not this event to occur? How did the organizationthey are the most secure due to their “incident- get the attention of an incident investigation. set the worker up for failure? It is importantfree streak” are often the ones at the greatest The incident may have happened in a way to understand that being truly successfulrisk. Success does not always indicate a lack of that allowed an impact at the most opportune in any organization requires the collectivefailure. Sometimes, there is a good degree of angle, or the worker was able to pull back just group to function as a team and work towardsluck involved. in time to reduce the amount of impact force, a common goal. Despite how well one reducing the seriousness of the injury. The team member may perform, victory is only Take, for example, a worker who is remaining question is, “What happens next achieved if the mission is achieved. Consider ausing a deficient tool. That worker may time?” Will the next worker, in the same work physician conducting a surgery—the surgeonuse that deficient tool on a daily basis and environment, using a similar tool, be so lucky? may perform perfectly; the surgery may besuccessfully completes work, until one day, The probability is 50/50 that they will. Are you flawlessly executed and therefore deemedthe situation occurs that James Reason writes willing to accept those odds?about in his book: Managing the Risks ofOrganizational Accidents: How Did the Failure Occur? “Latent conditions, such as poor design, gaps The event described in the previous example in supervision, undetected manufacturing contains a variety of causal factors that defects or maintenance failures, unworkable procedures, clumsy automations, shortfalls THE LEADER vpppa.org 29

FIGURE 1 are created, the process is engineered and where the components, parts and supplies Resource Effect are purchased. After all, if the blunt end is where the instructions are written andBlunt End—MGT/ Support Sharp End—Operations supplies procured, how could the work be done any other way than how it is outlinedWork Imagined Work Completed in the SOP?VP/GM Director Manager Supervisor Crew Chief Line Worker Enter the adaptive worker on the sharp end of the organization. These are the well- Resource Availability intentioned individuals in the organization that truly make the organization function.The reality is that, in successful. However, if the patient dies, There are many companies functioning todaymany organizations, the regardless of the surgeon’s flawless execution, that are making great products and providingmismatch is due to spatial the mission has not been achieved. great services, in large part, due to theseparation. The spatial quality of the worker on the sharp end of theseparation may be real Understanding the Mismatch organization. These individuals want to door imagined, but it exists a good job, they don’t want to get hurt, theyin some form in most Back to my original question, “Do you believe want the company to be successful and toorganizations. that there is a mismatch between work as work diligently day-in and day-out to achieve imagined and work as completed in your their goals. Both ends of the organization organization?” I am of the opinion that more have well-intentioned people who want the often than not, there is a mismatch and the organization to be successful. The reality is gap may be greater than you ever imagined. that, in many organizations, the mismatch Let’s consider this by expanding on the “sharp is due to spatial separation. The spatial end” concept offered by Sidney Dekker in separation may be real or imagined, but it his book, The Field Guide to Understanding exists in some form in most organizations. Human Error. When the mismatch occurs, the worker The work structure graphic (Figure 1) on the sharp end may not have the proper illustrates most organizations. At one end of tools, equipment, knowledge or ability to the spectrum there is the management and do the job. The well-intentioned worker support function. This is the “blunt end” of then becomes adaptive. The worker may the operation. These folks are the furthest feel that work cannot stop; after all, there removed from the work and are involved are production pressures vertically from in activities such as planning schedules, management and horizontally from other ordering materials and directing the day-to- workers who may be inconvenienced. This day operations of the organization. On the adaptive, motivated individual then creates opposite end of the spectrum, there is the inventive and ingenious ways to do the work, “sharp end.” This is where the work is being but often at their own safety detriment. The completed and where value is actually added worker may be successful for some period to the product or service being provided of time, but inevitably, a failure occurs, to generate revenue for the organization. an incident happens and the organization Both ends are necessary to sustain life is left wondering “What happened?” and in the organization; it is a symbiotic “What was the worker thinking?” He or she relationship. Unfortunately, this structure was simply adapting to the environment. often fosters two very different views about Incidents are rarely the sole result of an what is happening within the body of the individual failure, but are most often akin to organization. On the blunt end, there is the an organizational failure. way that work is imagined. This is where the standard operating procedures (SOP) In considering the work structure (Figure 1), notice the organizational hierarchy along the spectrum. Who among the list of individuals in the organizational hierarchy are the most likely to be injured? I hope we would all agree that those on the sharp end have the greatest risk exposure. With that thought in mind, who has the greatest decision impact and control over resources? Those individuals30 THE LEADER vpppa.org

on the blunt end of the organization have the “why.” Humans make errors; the incidents before they manifest themselvesthe greatest impact. Thus, the mismatch only way to eliminate human error is to in the first place.exists; those with the most impact, the most eliminate the human. When an incident These are just a few of the many steps thatinfluence, often have a work-imagined view occurs, react with intent, not to find can be used to look at work differently andthat is not consistent with how the work is fault, but to find lessons to be learned. close the gap left by this mismatch betweenreally completed. Fix the work, not the worker. Ensure work imagined and work completed. This that your incident investigations are is not an easy thing to do, and takes a greatClosing the Gap meaningful and effective. The quality of deal of effort to get it right. You will not an organization’s incident investigation get it perfect from the start, but don’t letThis gap exists, to some degree, in most process is a good indicator of the status perfection get in the way of improvement.organizations. So, what does one do to address of their overall condition and safety As a friend recently told me, “The only timethis issue? management system. that success comes before work is in the1. Recognize that the mismatch exists. 3. Create an environment of learning. dictionary.” Those workers on the sharp end know Ignoring the issue does not eliminate or what can cause an organization the greatest Christopher J. Colburn is the North American reduce the presence of the problem. An out- amount of heartache. They often have an environmental, health and safety manager of-sight, out-of-mind attitude may make idea of where the next incident may occur. for the AGCO Corporation. Chris is directly you feel better—until an incident occurs. The importance of employee involvement responsible for the EHS aspects of all North The reality is, if you knew and did not react, in the health and safety management American operations and supports operations you are culpable. Any person faced with the system cannot be overstated. The idea is to globally as the leader of AGCO’s Global EHS circumstances of an incident or hazard who identify potential issues before they become FOCUS Team. Chris has guided transformational has the opportunity to intervene, but fails to issues. Identifying incident precursors, change initiatives in several companies including act on that opportunity, has then become a near-misses or whatever terminology your Hunter Douglas and Cooper Tire and Rubber contributor to any damage that may result. organization uses for these events, is a key Company and also has mentored a number of2. Stop playing the “blame game” and element in identifying and preventing worksites into OSHA VPP. start asking the right questions. Seek to understand the “how” and not just VPP is much more than a statement of principles and standards, it’s the way we do business. THE LEADER vpppa.org 31

OSHA’STOP (as of 9/8/15 for Federal Sites) VIOLATIONS 1 5 9 Fall Protection Lockout/Tagout Machine Guarding6,721 (code 1910.501) 3,002 (code 1910.147) 2,295 (code 1910.212) 2 6 10 Hazard Powered Electrical—GeneralCommunications Industrial Trucks Requirements5,192 (code 1910.1200) 2,760 (code 1910.178) 1,973 (code 1910.303 B2) 3 7 Scaffolding Ladders4,295 (code 1926.451) 2,489 (code 1926.1053) 4 8 Respiratory Electrical Wiring Protection Methods3,305 (code 1910.134) 2,404 (code 1910.305)32 THE LEADER vpppa.org

member info cornerVPPPA’s Got TalentS ing your way to VPPPA’s 32nd Annual • Participants must have permission from Contest Winners National VPPPA Safety & Health their companies to enter the competition Conference! VPPPA’s Got Talent was so and attend the conference Twitter Contestsuccessful for our 31st conference, that we aredoing it again! Congratulations to our winner, • Submissions are the property of VPPPA after The conference’s Twitter contest wasAnnette Eaves from UCOR, Oak Ridge, they have been entered and may be used for hotly contested! There were so manyTN! She did a truly outstanding job with her promotional purposes great tweets about the conference.rendition of the national anthem and got the It was a pleasure to see attendees beconference off to a fantastic start. • Song rendition must be either a so passionate about workshops, the cappella or acoustic and must be no general sessions, keynote speakers This is an opportunity to showcase our longer than 90 seconds and even the food! Thank you to allmembers’ singing skills at the 32nd conference who tweeted about the conference.in Kissimmee, FL, August 29–September 1, 2016! • No nudity, alcohol, firearms or bad language Congratulations to Katlin HansonVPPPA will once again be taking auditions may be shown or heard in audition for winning the Twitter contest andfrom our members to sing the national anthem receiving a gift card!during the Opening General Session at the • Must be 18 years or olderGaylord Palms. • Must be a U.S. citizen “Take a Selfie with a Board The winner will receive a complimentary Member” Contestconference registration, lodging at the GaylordPalms and round-trip airfare to the conference. We had an overwhelmingly positiveSubmit entries and questions to membership@ response to our first ever selfie contest!vpppa.org or contact the Membership There were even a few people whoDepartment at (703) 761-1146. Good luck! were able to snag a selfie with all twelve of the National Board ofHere’s How To Enter Directors! The national office staff really appreciated your picturesSubmit a 90 second clip via YouTube, Dropbox and the board members thoroughlyor CD by Dec. 4, 2015, to be considered. For enjoyed meeting each person thatthe first round, participants may sing any song they were featured in a selfie with.they choose. The judges will narrow down theentries to a top five, and then it’ll all be in your Congratulations to the winnershands! The top five contestants will be asked to of the contest:submit a clip of themselves singing the nationalanthem which will then be posted on VPPPA’s • Mark LandersYouTube page for voting. Members will vote • Brian Murrayfrom the top five finalists and the winner will • Nicole Vigilbe determined by who has the most likes at theend of the voting period. All three winners received a gift card.• Submissions: Now through Dec. 4, 2015 We’re looking forward to seeing even• Five Finalists Chosen: Dec. 11, 2015 more photos next year!• Voting: Feb. 1–Feb. 26, 2016 Top: Annette Eaves performs a flawless rendition of the national anthem at the The rules and requirements to enter this commencement of the national conference’s Opening General Session.competition are as follows: Bottom: Conference attendees stand for the national anthem.• Participants must be a member in good standing with VPPPA and located within the continental U.S.• The contest is for solo performances only, no groups or duets• Introduce yourself by including your member number and contact information at the beginning of your audition video THE LEADER vpppa.org 33

member spotlightRae Badeaux, Managing Directorof Operations, A.I.M.BY BENJAMIN MASSOUD, A.I.M. stands for to meet with a site to inquire about whatCOMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR, “always in mind,” aspects of the job it wants employees to beVPPPA, INC. as in, it’s important more involved in. After establishing goals, to make safety a A.I.M. assigns trackable items for the sites toWith 15 years of constant state of achieve. As a site’s employees participate inexperience at A.I.M., Rae mind. It’s more than action items, they earn points they can laterhas been one of the many just a catchy acronym redeem to claim a reward. Because A.I.M.forces behind the success for a company, it’s understands every site is different and hasof the company. truly the way the their own set of requirements, each client’s business operates. “We not only sell it, we program is customized to meet its needs. live it,” asserts A.I.M.’s Managing Director “Whatever their wish list is, if it’s to get of Operations Rae Badeaux. “We are idea- employees certified for different things or to generators, visionaries when it comes to increase employee involvement in the safety promoting the value of safety, and because programs, we assign actions to that objective. of that, employees can concentrate on their Every quarter they get a renewed tracking daily tasks as well as utilize us to make their card. Everything is custom. Then, we assess workplace safe.” Located in Thibodaux, their needs on a quarterly or yearly basis,” LA, A.I.M. specializes in customizable says Rae. It seems to be working—A.I.M has promotional products including t-shirts, achieved 90 percent participation rate for one tools, bags and awards—but it’d be a mistake of its programs. to classify it as just a vendor. A.I.M. also partners with companies to promote the value It Takes One To Know One of safety through employee-participation programs. One of the programs, EmPart, an Another big component of A.I.M.’s service OSHA-compliant program, requires the staff consists of supplying sites with comprehensive VPP education. But what could possiblyThe A.I.M. team gathered for a group picture at the 31st Annual National VPPPA Safety & qualify a company that sells promotionalHealth Conference. products to serve as a resource for other companies’ safety and health programs? In 2004, A.I.M. became the first promotional products company in the nation to receive VPP Star site status. “As a salesperson, I always promoted safety through products and programs we sold. However, safety took on a whole new meaning to me in our pursuit of being a Star site,” says Rae. As a VPP Star site, A.I.M. understands the various challenges that other companies encounter with the VPP process. She continues, “We’re able to better serve our clients by knowing what stresses they go through in the application and audits.” A.I.M’s OSHA-compliant “12 Weeks to Star” program provides clients with a multitude of VPP products and educational tools, including VPP banners and flags, “VPP 101” DVDs and VPP pocket books, to inspire sites to strive for greatness in VPP.34 THE LEADER vpppa.org

More importantly, the program contains a he created safety measures that prevented topics include bicycle and scooter safety,week-by-week guide to marketing, educating workers from visiting the emergency room. internet safety and sports safety.and employee participation, to assist a site inachieving Star status, or passing an approval. Going Above and Beyond Naturally, it’s tough for most people to stay motivated while working at the same As A.I.M. prepares to go through its A.I.M.’s mission statement is “We do what company for over a decade. But Rae is notthird approval in November, the company others can’t and won’t do.” It seems it also most people. “I do a self-evaluation everyrecognizes the many advantages VPPPA does what others wouldn’t even think to do. year—professionally and spiritually—I askprovides. More specifically, A.I.M. displays Realizing that teaching the importance of myself what I can do to improve. I think, a lotits products, programs and ideas to thousands safety to children encourages them to start of times, people just get to the point whereof attendees at all eleven VPPPA conferences developing positive habits early on, A.I.M. they just stop—stop learning and growing. Ieach year. As the secretary/historian of the created a participation program for kids called always take life experiences and I learn fromRegion VI Board, Rae acknowledges that the “Smart Kids Always Think Safety” (SKATS). them. I think about where I am currently inVPPPA network allows her to seek out other SKATS is designed to educate employees’ my life, and decide where I want to grow toVPPPA board members for resources and children and grandchildren on hazards they next year, and then I do it,” declares Rae. Ifguidance with VPP. may come across in their everyday lives, as well she is this determined on developing herself, as help them build self-esteem. Each quarter, just imagine how dedicated Rae is to continueBe Flexible the children are given booklets containing improving a company that she’s spent 15 safety topics and a quiz card. After studying the years at. In February, A.I.M. will celebrateWith 15 years of experience at A.I.M., Rae booklets, they answer the quiz card and send its 30th anniversary, and with employees likehas been one of the many forces behind the it back to A.I.M. As a reward, the children Rae, another successful 30 years should be nosuccess of the company. Her duties include receive prizes for participating. Some of the problem.developing marketing strategies, sorting outemployee affairs and managing the day-to- Yourday operations such as the budget, client Biggestrelations and even selling. As part of her job, Safetyshe has the opportunity to travel to different Challengesconferences and events to meet people Solvedthroughout the safety and health industry. Infact, the conferences are where a good amount Download Providing the best PPEof clients are acquired. “I always tell clients a Freeor potential clients, we are not the cheapest, Guide is no guaranteebut we are the best; we’re not flawless, butwe will fix it. We are very passionate, as well A guide to addressing the humanas extremely grateful to partner with each factors in your PPE programcompany that entrusts us with their businessto make safety a state of mind on and off the www.safestart.com/solvedjob,” explains Rae. Although she thoroughly enjoys theduties she’s tasked with, they sure are a farcry from what she had originally plannedon doing with her career. Rae initiallyinterviewed with A.I.M. for an accountingposition. During the interview, the owner,Sully Sullivan, was impressed with howpassionate and upbeat she was, and suggestedthat she would be great at sales. “I wasscared to death of public speaking and I hadno sales background,” recalls Rae. “But Iowned it and gave it 150 percent. Life is upand down—it’s important to be flexible.”It didn’t hurt that she had a great mentorin Sully Sullivan—a man who believed sostrongly in his work, that he felt that his jobwas more important than a doctor’s because THE LEADER vpppa.org 35

chapter round-upsCOMPILED BY BENJAMIN MASSOUD, with the Hasbro safety and health staff education that is vital to protecting temporaryCOMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR, members. The tour provided valuable insight workers.” The Massachusetts Staffing Agency, aVPPPA, INC. into the hazards that temporary workers could chapter of the ASA, is partnering with OSHA to be exposed to and strategies for eliminating help achieve this goal.Region I these hazards. Ms. Raymond of CoWork Staffing AgencyMassachusetts Staffing Association Working Some of the folks attending were Jean is currently working closely with one of thewith VPP Site to Eliminate Hazards to Cho, MA OSHA Consultation Program Safety and Health Achievement RecognitionTemporary Workers safety supervisor; Vivian Raymond, senior Program (SHARP) sites. Placing clients at aOn August 18, 2015, Kathy Flannery, project account executive of CoWork Staffing SHARP site provides a level of confidence thatmanager for Massachusetts Consultation Services; Daphne Phalon, director of HR/ those workers are protected from workplaceProgram coordinated with Jack Popp, vice risk manager at The Davis Companies and a safety and health hazards.president—Technical Services, Hasbro member of the American Staffing AssociationEast Longmeadow, a VPP Star site in East (ASA) Safety Committee and Jori Blumsack, A series of safety roundtables started thisLongmeadow, MA, to host a visit with chief operating officer from The Vesume fall in Massachusetts, specific to the challengesmembers of the Massachusetts Staffing Group and president of MSA. faced by staffing agencies and strategies thatAssociation (MSA). The visit included: an can be implemented to protect workers.introduction to Hasbro East Longmeadow As a member of the ASA Safety Committee,operations; a tour of the facility with Ms. Phalon meets periodically with several Regional Meeting Updatesemphasis on safety, health and ergonomics; OSHA representatives and other staffing agency The chapter meeting committee updatestraining and a Q&A discussion on integrating leaders to work cooperatively to improve safety and elections took place during the Regiontemporary workers into a site’s safety and for temporary workers. In 2014, OSHA and I conference in May. Returning boardhealth culture and system. The tour provided ASA signed an alliance to help achieve this members are:the MSA members with valuable exposure to goal. At the signing of the alliance agreement, • Stephen Gauthier, General Electrica world-class manufacturing operation and Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupationalan opportunity to discuss injury and illness Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels stated Aviation—Chairpersonprevention strategies and implementations “Through this alliance with ASA, we will • Karen Girardin, L.L. Bean—Treasurer increase outreach to staffing firms and host • Glen Garfield, United Technologies employers and provide information and Aerospace System—Hourly Representative from a VPP site with a CBA • Jack Popp, Hasbro Inc.—Director-at-Large Members of the Masachusetts Staffing Association visit Hasbro East Longmeadow Operations.36 THE LEADER vpppa.org

The hourly representative from a site Association of Women in Construction and Region Vwithout a CBA position remains open. we have a new mentor match! Genzyme, Ridgefield, NJ, will be mentored by Pfizer, The presentations from the breakout sessions at OSHA’s Timothy Irving and Lynnda Ignacio Pearl River, NY. the 2015 Region V conference are available onprovided VPP updates to Region I members our website (www.vppregionv.org).including the introduction of the newly Access Health Systems, Latham, NY, will be Thank you to all the presenters whoappointed Regional Administrator Kim Stille. hosting an SGE training session next spring, volunteered to share their success stories andNew VPP sites were also recognized by OSHA: April 12–14, 2016. Visit OSHA’s website best practices. The Region V board would• Milford Power, LP Milford CT, Hallmark Cards for more information and to sign up: like to congratulate Bill Linneweh from www.osha.gov/dcsp/vpp/sge/sge_training.html. Hendrickson, chairperson, and Jim Harmon DC, Enfield CT and General Electric Co. We ask for your continued support for the from General Electric, treasurer, on their re- Somersworth, NH. Region I also recognized Norman Deitch AED Fund. We are soliciting elections to the regional board. We welcome both FLEXcon and Covanta for their donations from members to purchase AEDs and congratulate new board member Tina participation in VPP over the past 20 years. for worthwhile community groups in honor Kennedy from Flint Hills Resources in Peru, OSHA also presented the Star among Star of Norman Deitch’s many years of service. IL, as our hourly representative union site(SAS) awards to the following recipients: Donations of any amount will be accepted and and extend a big thank you to outgoing board• Covanta Energy, Preston, CT are greatly appreciated. You may also purchase an member Stephanie Keaton of Columbus, OH,• Covanta, Haverhill, MA AED bracelet to support the fund. for her time and support for our board. For• Covanta, Pittsfield, MA additional information regarding the Region V• Huntsman LLC, Derry, NH Contributed by Brenda Wiederkehr, board and how you can volunteer with Region• Hypertherm Inc., Lebanon, NH Region II Chairperson V, be sure to check out our website.• NextEra Energy, Bellingham, MA• Pratt & Whitney, North Berwick, ME ATDOUBCRETTEWTAECORHRWTKHAEY• L.L. Bean Inc., Bangor, ME• Raytheon Missile Defense Centre, Woburn, MA Every year Region I awards three studentswith a scholarship valued at $1,000. This year’swinners were:• Joseph Gervais Scholarship—Sierra Santomango Greene, ME University of Maine (daughter of an L.L. Bean Employee)• Eric Bartsch Memorial Scholarship— Michael Bellows, E. Hartford, CT, University of Connecticut (son of a Dominion Nuclear employee)• Caswell Plante Scholarship—Victoria Morris, Ludlow, MA, Mercyhurst University, Erie, PA (daughter of a Coca-Cola employee) Lastly, a special recognition goes out to Mr.Robert Sands. Robert retired from OSHA after28 years, twelve of which he provided leadershipfor Region I VPP. Congratulations, Bob!Contributed by Steve Gauthier,Region I ChairpersonRegion II INTRODUCING THE NEW LIFTPOD FT SERIES.Details for Region II’s conference are finalized! Meet the next generation of personal portable lifts—the JLG® LiftPod®The conference will take place May 23–25 at FT Series, designed to increase job efficiency throughout your facility.the Tropicana Casino in Atlantic City, NJ. Discover this affordable safety solution at www.jlg.com/en/facilities-17 There are a lot of exciting things going on inRegion II: Delta Airlines in Albany, NY, had aflag raising ceremony on September 29; therewas a VPPPA presentation given by KevinO’Brien and Paul Kniskern at the Nationaljlg3783-7LPFT-QP-vpppaD1.indd 1 6/16/15 1TH:3E1 PLMEADER vpppa.org 37

Congratulations to the newest Region V • 76th Propulsion Maintenance Group workshop and SSQ workshop in Kansas City, VPP Star site, OSHA—Lansing Area Office! (PMXG) Oklahoma—Tinker AFB, OK MO, on October 15. Additionally, the Lake We’d also like to extend our congratulations Stockton Healthcare Facility in Stockton, KS, to Bill Nelson of Hendrickson, the Region • ConocoPhillips Co Global Aviation conducted a flag raising ceremony in October. V SGE of the year; Jammie Stephens of RR Services—Houston, TX As of now, we have seven companies being Donnelly, the winner of the Safety Champion mentored by Region VII mentors. Award and DSM Coatings of Frankfort, IN, • Cintas location 774—Fort Smith, AR for the Outreach and Mentoring Award. • GE PII Pipeline Solutions—Houston, TX We also had 42 attendees at the national Thank you to Eric Siefker of Protec Coating • Shermco Industries—Irving, TX conference networking meeting. The award Company for his many hours of service to the winners at the networking meeting were: Region V board and conference planning. Re-approvals: • Greg Swoyer—SSQ Workshop • Akzo Nobel Surface Company Houston • Scott Hall—App Workshop Congratulations to Region V VPP • David Kruse—$25 Visa re-approved Star sites for 2015: Facility—Houston, TX • Kirk Buzzard—$50 Best Buy • 88th Air Force Life Cycle Management • Brock Services LLC at Valero Three Rivers • Marty Bates—1016 Conference Registration • Dirk Wilkins—$25 Visa Center (AFLCMC) Command Staff RFNY—Three Rivers, TX • Kyle Lang—Golf • CF Industries Seneca • EQUISTAR CHEMICALS, LP— • Patrick Mazur—$25 Visa • CF Peru Terminal • Bobby Williams—$25 Visa • Delta Air Lines Passenger Service Channelview, TX • Frito-Lay Canton • El Dorado Nitrogen—Baytown, TX Contributed by Bill Turner, • GE Healthcare Waukesha South Operations • GE Engine Services McAllen LP— Region VII Vice Chairperson • IP Menomonee Falls Technical Center • Marathon Petroleum Company Findlay Mcallen, TX Region VIII • LANXESS Corporation—Baytown Site— Office Complex Director-at-Large Shelly Ettel attended • Ruscilli Construction Co. Inc. Baytown, TX the June board meeting and congressional • Sandvik Hyperion • Pace Industries, Harrison Arkansas outreach. Region VIII remains active in • Sherwin Williams Cincinnati Plant VPPPA’s government affairs and is continually • Stepan Millsdale Plant Division—Harrison, AR reaching out to key legislative officials. • Steris Corp Pinecone Biological Ops • Pratt & Whitney-Dallas Airfoil Repair Moreover, our “What’s Great in Region Eight” • Thomas-Marker benchmarking events continue to be a success. • Vantage Oleochemicals Operations—Grand Prairie, TX Our last outreach event for 2015 is scheduled • Rock Tenn Company, Harrison Folding at Champion Health, Colorado Springs, CO, Contributed by Steve Washburn, where the Denver Broncos’ Dr. Leahy will Region V Director-at-Large Carton Plant—Harrison, AR demonstrate Active Release Techniques® (ART) • The Dow Chemical Company, Louisiana and how it can be incorporated into a wellness Region VI or health plan. We are expecting 10–20 VPP Operations—Plaquemine, LA and non-VPP companies to be in attendance. In September, Region VI had its outreach • Westlake Chemical CRPRTN—Westlake booth set up at the Louisiana Governor’s Safety It was great seeing you all in Texas. It’s & Health Conference in Baton Rouge, LA. In Polymers LP—Sulphur, LA always nice to see Region VIII represented at November, Region VI will have an outreach In order to better support VPP, we the national conference. We trust you learned, booth set up at the DiVal Safety Summit need the help of VPP sites in your region. networked and made some friends. Holly Houston in Houston, TX. Congressional offices value hearing from Hodnik, Ball Corporation, has been appointed constituents in their state or district. Reaching as secretary, and Lindsay Kalis, RK Mechanical, We are pleased to announce that Region VI out to senators and representatives that has been appointed as representative, non- had 35 participants in our SGE training course are key in your region can be as simple as union. Both will serve out the remainder or the in May of this year. If you are interested in filling out an online form or making a quick term until next year’s election. becoming an SGE, there are three upcoming phone call. It is preferable to leave an email SGE training sessions: November 17–19, at message with your concerns in writing, but Region VIII would like to thank our Regional U.S. DOL OSHA in Lubbock, TX; January instructions for calling and emailing offices VPP Manager U.S. Department of Labor— 12–14 at Cintas in Searcy, AR, and on March are included here: www.regionvivpp.org/ OSHA, Region VIII, Brad Baptiste for his 15–17 at USPS—OK District Office in education/vpp-act-outreach-information commitment to safety and health excellence. Oklahoma City, OK. Our goal is to only have constituents It’s his leadership and passion that continues to contacting their representatives. For senators, fuel the fire. In addition, we are grateful for the Congratulations to the new Star and this means comments from people from their partnership we have established with Wyoming re-approved sites in our region: state only. For representatives, only people in and Utah OSHA. We look forward to seeing • 76th Commodities Maintenance Support their districts. If you have any questions, please you in Denver next year. contact Charlie Doss at [email protected] or Group (CMXG)—Tinker AFB, OK (703) 761-1146. • 76th Maintenance Support Group (MXSG) Contributed by Kirk Crandall, OKC Air Logistics—Tinker AFB, OK Region VI Director-at-Large38 THE LEADER vpppa.org Region VII Region VII has been very busy, lately! We helped with an SGE class at the National Conference in Grapevine, TX, an application

We’re proud to announce that 37 out of representative from a site with a collective • S&H Outreach Award: CHPRC: After72 VPP sites in Region VIII had no OSHA- bargaining and Max VanValey of Oldcastle School Mattersrecordable injuries in 2014! Way to go, Precast was elected as director-at-large. In Region X would also like to recognize theRegion VIII! The next SGE class will be at 2016, there will be four open positions:Hellman & Associates, LLC in Wheat Ridge, chapter chairperson, labor representative-non Department of Energy Award winners fromCO, April 5–7, 2016. Applications must be bargaining, and two director-at-large positions. Region X:submitted by January 15th. • Superior Star, issued to Star sites with Over the past year, Region X hosted three Plains End, LLC located in Arvada, CO, SGE training workshops creating a total 36 accident incident rates at 50% belowhas been officially approved as a VPP Merit new SGEs in the region who are now available industry rateslevel participant by the Assistant Secretary to assist OSHA or the Department of Energy • Pacific Northwest National Laboratoryof Labor. Congratulations to all of the hard- with VPP audits. Jack Griffith, Liz Nortonworking employees and managers at Plains and Rocky Simmons assisted Jacob Ewer (PNNL)End for this achievement. conducting the training at the HAMMER • Star of Excellence: Training Facility in Richland, WA.Contributed by Mark Moya, • Washington River ProtectionRegion VIII Chairperson Region X presented several deserving awards Solutions (WRPS) this year:Region IX • Region X Chairperson Award: Jack Griffith • CH2M HILL Plateau Remediation Company (CHPRC)The regional board will be working to formalize CH2M HILL Plateau Remediationthe mentoring program and help ensure that Company, Richland, WA • Waste Treatment Plant (WTP)sites get more active in mentoring. Additionally, • Safety and Health Outreach Award: Rick • Washington Closure Hanford (WCH)the regional board is working to provide a Callor, AECOM, ID • Analytical Technical Laboratory (ATL)presence at VPP celebrations. If you have • Innovation Award: CH2M HILL Plateau • Intermecha celebration coming up in the region, let Remediation Company WA “After School • Mission Support Alliancemembers of the board know so they can make Matters” program.arrangements to attend. (MSA Hammer) • Mission Support Alliance (MSA-SAS) The board continues to do outreach in avariety of forms to help stakeholders understand Contributed by Jack Griffith, Region Xthe VPP process and get more involved. Treasurer and Communications ChairContributed by Mark D. Norton,Ambassador to the Region IX BoardRegion XVice Chairperson Michelle Steeler presentedBonnie Anderson, Region X chairperson witha Special Service Award. Bonnie announcedher retirement and resigned in October 2015.Bonnie has served on the Region X boardsince 2003 as a member of the conferenceplanning committee and director from a sitewithout a bargaining agent and later becamethe chairperson serving from from 2008–2015.Michelle Steeler, vice chairperson, will beacting chairperson until a confirmation by theRegion X board at the next regular meeting.Following confirmation, the vice chairpersonposition will be filled by a qualified candidateapproved by the Board of Directors. Therewere four other open BOD positions filled atthe 21st Northwest Safety and Health Summit:Rocky Simmons of Mission Support Alliancewas elected as secretary, Jack Griffith of CH2MHILL Plateau Remediation Company waselected as treasurer, Liz Norton of WashingtonRiver Protection Solutions was elected as labor THE LEADER vpppa.org 39

calendar of events November January40 THE LEADER vpppa.org November January VPPPA’s New Website is Live Membership Benefits Mailing December January 12–14, 2016 Mid-December Region VI SGE Training Session Cintas, Searcy, AR Membership Renewals January 15, 2016 December 4, 2015 Applications for Region VIII SGE Submissions for “VPPPA’s Training Session due Got Talent” due February December 11, 2015 February 1–26, 2016 Finalists selected for “VPPPA’s Got Talent” Voting for “VPPPA’s Got Talent” March March 15–17, 2016 Region VI SGE Training Session USPS—OK District Office, Oklahoma City, OK April April 5–7, 2016 Region VIII SGE Training Session Hellman & Associates, LLC, Wheat Ridge, CO April 12–14, 2016. Region II SGE Training Session Access Health Systems, Latham, NY April 26–28, 2016 Region VIII VPPPA Chapter Conference Hilton Denver Tech Center, Greenwood Village, CO

April 26–28, 2016 May 17–19, 2016 VPPPA ContactsRegion IX VPPPA Chapter Conference Region X VPPPA To reach the VPPPA NationalSheraton Wild Horse Pass Chapter Conference Office, call (703) 761-1146 or visitResort & Spa Boise Centre and the Grove Hotel www.vpppa.org. To reach a particularChandler, AZ Boise, ID staff member, please refer to the contact information below.April 26–29, 2016 May 23–25, 2016 R. Davis LayneRegion III VPPPA Region II VPPPA Senior AdvisorChapter Conference Chapter ConferenceDover Downs Hotel & Casino Tropicana Casino Sara A. Taylor, CMPDover, DE Atlantic City, NJ [email protected] Director of OperationsMay May 24–26, 2016 Ext. 107May 16–18, 2016 Region V VPPPA Amanda McVicker Chapter Conference [email protected] I VPPPA Chapter Conference Hyatt Regency O’Hare Senior Conference CoordinatorRadisson Hotel Rosemont, IL Ext. 112Manchester DowntownManchester, NH June Sarah Neely [email protected] 16–18, 2016 June 21–23, 2016 Communications Manager Ext. 121Region VII VPPPA Region IV VPPPAChapter Conference Chapter Conference Benjamin MassoudDes Moines Marriott Lexington Convention Center [email protected] Moines, IA and Hyatt Regency Lexington Communications Coordinator Lexington, KY Ext. 117May 16–19, 2016 Charlie DossRegion VI VPPPA [email protected] Conference Government Affairs ManagerFort Worth Convention Center Ext. 113and Omni Fort Worth HotelFort Worth, TX Tom Webb [email protected] Strategic Development & Member Services Manager Ext. 114 Katlyn Pagliuca [email protected] Member Services Coordinator Ext. 115 Heidi Hill [email protected] Event Sales & Advertising Coordinator Ext. 111 Marianne Trinh [email protected] Senior Accountant Ext. 106 Michael Khosrofian [email protected] Accountant Ext. 104 Bryant Walker [email protected] Information & Data Analyst Manager Ext. 110 Courtney Malveaux, Esq [email protected] Government Relations Counsel Ext. 105 THE LEADER vpppa.org 41

infographic corner So far in 2015, there 4,679 has been over workers died on the job in $50 million 2014. (OSHA) in damages in the handling and transportation of hazardous materials. (Hazmat Intelligence Portal, U.S. Department of Transportation) The total number of The World Health recordable cases for Organization (WHO) says nonfatal radon, injuries and illnesses a radioactive gas, in private industry was causes up to 15 percent 3,007,300 in 2013. of lung cancers worldwide. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)42 THE LEADER vpppa.org