OCT22-02: NNSY's "Big Rock" Celebrates VPP Recertification, Waterfront Successes
From Norfolk Naval Shipyard Public Affairs Office
PORTSMOUTH, Va. ― Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY), a field activity of Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), and its employees celebrated two significant events Oct. 16 in Portsmouth, Va.
The shipyard was recertified as an Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) "Star" site in the Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) and held its annual "Big Rock" celebration, where employees are recognized for their contributions to naval readiness by returning ships to the fleet on or before schedule during the past year.
"VPP recertification continues to identify NNSY as a world-class organization," said Marine Col. Mark Erb, Naval Safety Center deputy commander. "The key to this program is the first word, voluntary - you choose to be safe. You have embraced that goal and made it happen."
To qualify for VPP status, sites must meet or exceed all OSHA standards and submit to a rigorous OSHA review of their programs. Out of more than four million worksites in the U.S., only a little more than 2,000 have been designated as VPP Star sites.
During the ceremony, OSHA Area Director Leo Edwards presented the VPP Safety Flag to NNSY Commander Capt. William Kiestler and NNSY Safety and Health Director Russ Chantry. The flag represents recognition of the outstanding efforts of employers and employees who have achieved exemplary occupational safety and health.
"We want to recognize all of you out there in that sea of hardhats," Kiestler told the workforce in attendance after receiving the Star Site symbol. "You are the ones who made our successes possible. You work hard, and you work right."
NNSY's Big Rock ceremony also recognized the hard work of the shipyard workers by noting all the successful availabilities completed during the year, including USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), USS Alaska (SSBN 732) and USS Boise (SSN 764).
NNSY Submarine Program Manager Buddy Bennett accredited much of the shipyard's success to co-locating project teams next to the boats under maintenance, a "Back to Basics" initiative, designed to lower costs and return ships to the fleet on time, implemented by NAVSEA Commander Vice Adm. Kevin McCoy.
"Over the past year, we've had a very successful submarine program," said Bennett. "USS Boise had the largest modernization package ever for a Dry-docking Selected Restricted Availability (DSRA) - and we finished early."
Pete Marfio, NNSY nuclear production manager and former Alaska project superintendent, shared similar successes from the year.
According to Marfio, over a 28-month Engineering Refueling Overhaul, the project team exceeded goals, came in on time, reduced lost-time injuries by more than 50 percent [based on USS Georgia's (SSGN 729) lost-time injury rate], exceeded quality expectations, and gave $3 million back to the Navy.
NNSY is one of four NAVSEA public shipyards that play a major role in maintaining America's fleet and providing wartime surge capability to keep the nation's ships ready for combat.
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