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VPP Seminar:
The Northrop Grumman Ship Systems – Newport News Approach
September 21, 2004
Northrop Grumman Ship Systems – Avondale Operations
New Orleans, Louisiana |
Representatives from the
American Shipbuilding Association
(ASA),
National Shipbuilding Research Program (NSRP) and
Shipbuilders Council of
America (SCA) and OSHA's national Office, Region III and Region VI attended the event at
Northrop Grumman Ship Systems (NGSS) in New Orleans, LA.
High-risk shipbuilding industry, labor, and government representatives discussed sharing ideas and
lessons learned through the VPP. John Miles, Region VI Administrator, who made a presentation on the
VPP activities in his region, said that the seminar was an excellent example of informing management
and labor representatives about the value of becoming a VPP worksite.
Steve Morris, Director of Safety, with SCA member Jeffboat LLC said that the presentations answered
several questions he had about meeting VPP requirements. "Through cooperative programs like the VPP,
I sincerely believe that OSHA is heading in the right direction to help businesses create safety and
health programs that are effective in protecting workers," he said.
In the afternoon sessions, management and labor representatives, from NGSS – Newport News, one of
two shipyards participating in the VPP, and an OSHA Region III representative had a panel discussion
about how the VPP application process and program requirements improved NGSS- Newport News' safety
and health programs and working relationships with OSHA.
Following the panel discussion, members of NGSS-Avondale's Safety Action Team updated the group on
the actions that they are taking to prepare Avondale's application for the VPP. David Glynn, Deputy
Director of NGSS-Avondale Operations Environmental, Safety & Health said the seminar offered a great
opportunity for the participants to interact with the OSHA staff which will be helpful as
NGSS-Avondale continues to move forward with the VPP certification process.
The seminar impressed Leigh Jackson, OSHA Region IV's VPP Officer, with how the event emphasized
industry and OSHA working together. "Worksites that have begun to implement OSHA's VPP requirements
have discovered the benefits through reduced workplace injuries and illnesses," Jackson said. "At
the seminar, we heard employers and employees say that workman's compensation and insurance costs
can be reduced by lower injury and illness rates, which result in increased revenues and employee
morale. That's just smart business."
From L to R - Peter Brown, Outreach Coordinator, Region III Philadelphia Office, USDOL-OSHA; Jim
Cavessa, USWA Local 8888, Chairman - Health & Safety Committee; Thresa Nelson, Manager, Health and
Safety – Northrop Grumman Ship Systems - Newport News; and Jim Thornton, Director, Environment,
Health and Safety – Northrop Grumman Ship Systems - Newport News participated in a VPP Team panel
discussion. The panel discussion was part of the September 21, 2004 Maritime VPP Seminar at
Northrop Grumman Ship Systems - Avondale Operations in New Orleans, LA.
From L to R - Dave Pivarnik, Director, Environment, Health and Safety – Northrop Grumman Ship
Systems - Avondale Operations; Jim Thornton, Director, Environment, Health and Safety – Northrop
Grumman Ship Systems - Newport News; George Yount, Vice President, Northrop Grumman Ship Systems -
Avondale Operation, John Miles, OSHA Region VI Administrator and Jess McCluer, Program Analyst,
Office of Outreach Services and Alliances, USDOL-OSHA, discuss VPP procedures during the September
21, 2004 Maritime VPP Seminar at Northrop Grumman Ship Systems - Avondale Operations in New
Orleans, LA.
John Miles, OSHA Region VI Administrator, makes a presentation on the VPP activities in his region
during the September 21, 2004 Maritime VPP Seminar at Northrop Grumman Ship Systems - Avondale
Operations in New Orleans, LA. |
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