By Paul J. Marsiglio,
Director of Safety &
Industrial Hygiene
Through the remainder of 2018, we need to refocus on the number-one priority at Electric Boat: SAFETY. This is a very busy year, with seven ships in different stages of construction, three of which are very close to being certified and delivered to the Navy. The new hires are taking full advantage of New Hire Safety Training as well as quality time in the trade Active Learning Centers. This reduces the risk of injury as new employees become more acclimated with their surroundings. While we are on track for another good safety performance year, during the first two weeks of August, 53 employees were injured in the shipyard. Twenty-nine reported injuries in which the treatment required more than first aid; ten lost time away from work.
The majority of these injuries, if not all, could have been avoided. The three main contributing factors were PPE compliance, performance of a meaningful Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) and the presentation of a meaningful pre-job brief. There are many excuses for not wearing the required PPE — it’s too hot, it’s heavy, it gets in the way, I don’t need it, etc. There are also many reasons to wear the required PPE — to avoid lacerations, the loss of an eye, hearing loss, and to go home to family. Even with the performance of a good JHA, you can’t predict what material or debris could be in the overhead that could fall into your eyes, or that the employee grinding next to you is going to change position, or that the employee working above you is not going to drop something. Wearing your PPE in this hazardous environment is not only the right thing to do, but the smart thing to do.
We have a very strong safety program at Electric Boat. In the last four years, more employees have gone home safer than ever before, and the safety incentive was achieved for the sixth straight time. Most recently, we achieved pressure hull complete on the SSN 792 (Vermont) with no injuries. We docked the SSN 788 (Colorado) and undocked the SSN 765 (Montpelier) with no injuries. The SSN 790 (South Dakota) was certified for fast cruise. Employees working together and watching out for one another allowed this high-risk work to be accomplished injury free.
Later this September we’ll be augmenting our safety program with an emphasis on injuries and near-miss events that could have led to a potential significant injury or fatality. The program, entitled the SIF (significant injury or fatality) program, will require a passionate teaming of all employees. The intent is to focus on the question “what could have happened.” Studies show that companies who exhibit a safety metric that is continually improving tend to get lulled by the positive data. The SIF program will also introduce a number of learning events to help reduce or eliminate injury risk in specific high-risk daily activities. This program will also introduce a SIF rate to help us better understand what risks could be hidden within the positive safety performance indicators.
Safety is not about statistics; it’s a value we all must hold. Strong safety performance can only happen through strong teamwork. If we continue to work together safely, we can make 2018 another record-breaking year!
Thank you for all that you do.
