Fort Belvoir, Virginia –
McNamara Headquarters Complex employees were treated to a wealth of fitness, wellness and safety information during the 20th Health and Safety Expo in the HQC Café, May 14.
This year’s theme, “Build a Healthy Future,” brought together 35 vendors and 12 sponsors to provide employees information about physical and mental health, fitness, medical services, home maintenance and estate planning.
The expo’s activities also included health screenings, games, raffles and food samplings.
In the McNamara Auditorium rotunda, employees took advantage of complimentary chair massages and chiropractic assessments courtesy of local vendors.
Experts dispensed literature and trinkets along with advice about safety and health-related products and services.
DLA Safety and Occupational Health Manager Brenda Smith said the expo highlights her office’s mission and duties.
“It gives me more of a hands-on touch with people who are in the building,” she said. “They get to see me, see who we are and ask questions. It’s very beneficial for us.”
Most of the Safety and Occupational Health Office literature focuses on slips, trips and falls — the primary causes of work-related injuries in the building, Smith said.
She also referred to the federal occupational health nurse at the table next to hers and noted the importance of health screenings the FOH offers.
“A lot of times people don’t even know we have a health unit in the building,” Smith said, adding that she invited members of the Fort Belvoir Community Hospital, safety and industrial hygiene personnel. “We all work together to help promote safety.”
David Hooker, a supply management specialist with DLA Installation Support said he’s participated in several HQC 5K races, but appreciates how the Health and Safety Expo helps him set personal fitness goals in between those events.
“I think they need to have them more often, maybe once per quarter to keep the information fresh,” he said.