MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- In November 2013, the Marine Corps recognized the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Voluntary Protection Program and encouraged every Marine Corps installation to understand and meet their standards.
The Station Safety Office aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, conducted the official Volunteer Protection Program Kick-Off in the Building One auditorium, Jan. 15, 2015.
Richard Perry, the safety director with the Station Safety Office, gave a brief on VPP implementation to the leaders aboard MCAS Iwakuni at the VPP Kick-Off.
The briefing consisted of a reaffirming statement that the command is in full support of VPP.
“Some may ask, ‘what is VPP and what does it do for us?’ VPP is a formal safety system that draws experience and participation from everyone, beginning with the newest employee through upper management,” said Perry. “Keeps us focused on ensuring we all go home to see our loved ones at the end of the day.”
Col. Robert Boucher, commanding officer of MCAS Iwakuni, made an effort to meet the standards of the VPP program with the establishment of the Safety and Occupational Health Management System.
The commands that already practice the expectations of VPP noticed significant reductions in work related injuries, illnesses, mishaps and their associated costs, according to the Safety and Occupational Health Management System policy letter.
Since the time that Boucher established the SHMS, the Station Safety Office recognized and awarded some standout workers for their excellence in performance and safety.
Those outstanding workers were: Chief Warrant Officer Vincent E. Hodges, Gunnery Sgt. Brian J. Dupuy, Mr. Jeramie Johnson, Mr. Kenji Shigeta, Mr. Masayuki Shiromoto and Mr. Sadaichi Tani.
They all managed to make lasting modifications in their workplaces by changing behaviors rather than just procedures.
“They hold employees accountable for their own safety but also allow them to raise concerns without fear,” said Perry. “Employees see more possible hazards than supervisors, who are in charge of making the changes to ensure workers’ safety, which is why it’s so important for them to be comfortable voicing their opinions.”
According to Perry, one of the goals of SHMS is to “Produce and sustain a world class Safety and Occupational Health Program.”
A world class program is one where work-related injury rates are well below average and where employee participation and ownership are the hallmarks of the program.