NEW CUMBERLAND, Pa. –
DLA Distribution San Joaquin, California’s Marketing and Media Support Team was honored with the DLA Enterprise Safety Excellence award during the agency’s 51st annual employee recognition ceremony Dec. 13 held at fort Belvoir, Virginia.
Since the San Joaquin installation began its Occupational Safety and Health Administration Voluntary Protection Program journey in 2009, the MAMS team has been committed to providing multimedia support and marketing efforts to enhance the installation’s Safety and Occupational Health Program by supporting the four elements of the OSHA VPP, to include: management leadership and employee involvement, worksite analysis, hazard prevention and control, and safety and health training.
Throughout the past year, the MAMS team worked tirelessly to spread Team San Joaquin’s focused philosophy regarding a “safety first” culture, and a “One Site–One Flag–One Team” motto.
During the 2018 OSHA Safe and Sound Week, the team helped host a safety event for all employees. The week consisted of daily safety briefs in all work centers, where topics included: Housekeeping, Defensive Driving, Industrial Hygiene, Safety at Home and Ergonomics/Proper Lifting and culminated in a Safety Carnival, during which employees put their newly-gained safety knowledge to a test while participating in carnival themed activities.
The team also created the “VPP Star Central” newsletter. The quarterly publication contains information on injury and illness prevention tips (both on and off duty) and serves as a conduit for public recognition of employee contributions to the safety conditions in their work areas.
In line with promoting a culture of safety at work and home, the MAMS team created “Why I Work Safe Buttons” and encouraged employees to create personalized buttons with pictures of their family, friends, or co-workers to serve as a reminder of their loved ones waiting for them to return from work safely.
According to DLA Distribution San Joaquin, California, commander, Marine Col. Andre Harrell, the team’s efforts have been a boon to increasing awareness and decreasing hazards.
“Their efforts directly contributed to a 30 percent reduction in Material Handling Equipment mishaps and a remarkable 25 percent reduction in total mishaps. I’m extremely proud of this elite team and its unwavering commitment toward safety,” said Harrell.