Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) recently established a new Safety and Regulatory Compliance Directorate (SEA 09), which realigns multiple safety activities under one Senior Executive Service (SES) leader.
“This is a very positive step that will strengthen and align the safety oversight and reporting functions of NAVSEA across many areas of responsibility” said Vice Adm. Bill Galinis, NAVSEA commander.
Responsibilities of the new directorate include explosives safety, ordnance environmental compliance, weapon systems safety, industrial and Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) safety, environmental management and policy, radiological controls, maintenance, and modernization.
“This realignment will increase the emphasis on these areas and the ability to drive change across the enterprise,” said Mr. Eric Duncan, NAVSEA advisor for industrial safety and mishap investigations. “We are elevating the priority and focus on safety and regulatory compliance. These are clearly a top priority!”
The new directorate is led by Mr. Dale Sisson, Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division technical director, as a collateral duty until the SES position is filled. As part of the new directorate structure, the SEA 09 executive director will also serve as the Department of the Navy Weapon Systems Explosives Safety Review Board (WSESRB) Chair.
“The stand-up of the NAVSEA Safety and Regulatory Compliance Directorate (SEA 09) speaks to the commitment NAVSEA has placed on safety across the enterprise, and we are eager to bring together the breadth of safety, environmental, and shipyard modernization capabilities that will comprise the new SEA 09 organization,” Sisson said. “Whether addressing explosives and weapon safety in the Fleet, the safety or our workforce, or environmental compliance, SEA 09 will remain keenly focused on doing our part to deliver warfighting capability.”
SEA 09 will consist of all staff currently assigned to the Naval Ordnance Safety and Security Activity (NOSSA), the WSESRB, SEA 04N (Radiological Controls) and SEA 04R (Maintenance, Modernization, Environmental and Safety). It will also include a small corporate operations staff to support the new organization.
The realignment does not apply to equipment, systems, or procedures under the cognizance of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Directorate (SEA 08). The Director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion is responsible for all matters pertaining to nuclear propulsion of U.S. Naval ships, including all aspects of nuclear plant safety during new construction and industrial availabilities.
“I am excited to lead such an outstanding team,” Sisson said. “Together, we look forward to advancing the Navy and NAVSEA missions.”