BREMERTON, Wash. –
Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility continued its emphasis on physical safety by hosting a three-day Pathway To Safety training event, June 26-28.
The event was a continuation of a Pathway To Safety event in May that focused on psychological safety, and gave workers on both day and swing shifts an opportunity to briefly relax and learn about equipment and strategies that prevent accidents. “The summer season tends to see an uptick in injuries and accidents, so I urge each and every one of us to take great care in the coming months, especially during the upcoming Fourth of July holiday, which, for many of us, will include picnics and fireworks,” said Capt. JD Crinklaw, commander, PSNS & IMF. “We still need all hands — and fingers and toes — on deck when you return from your holiday, to continue to meet our mission and support the fleet.”
The highlight of the event was June 27. Farragut Avenue was shut down to traffic from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to allow shipyard employees to enjoy free barbecue, a car show and talk with personal protection equipment vendors showcasing their latest safety gear. Workforce members could also visit booths sponsored by Employee Resource Groups to share their mission, a cupcake competition and a talent show where shipyard employees got to perform and showcase their unique skills for their fellow employees.
Even when rain began to fall and threatened to dampen the festivities, the lines for hamburgers and hotdogs stood resolute as team members enjoyed the brief break from their busy schedules.
Mike Riedel, department project superintendent, Code 312, Carrier Program, was one of the several volunteers who helped grill hotdogs and hamburgers for fellow shipyard workers during the two-hour event.
He estimates the command cooked around 8,000 burgers and hotdogs in total to support the event.
The day prior, employees and supervisors were encouraged to talk about important shipyard safety topics with their teammates and allow them to share their experiences and concerns.
The final day of the event saw employees receive the opportunity to earn a two-hour time off award by completing the Safety Scavenger Hunt and completing the 2024 Psychological Safety Worksheet. The scavenger hunt posed a series of riddles focused on safety issues for employees to find.