United Space Alliance Maintains ‘Star’ Safety Status

Based on safety practices that exceed industry standards, United Space Alliance’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC) operations will maintain “Star” status under the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety & Health Administrations’ Voluntary Protection Program (VPP). USA last received VPP Star designation in 2003.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reviews the criteria every three years. The VPP is a joint program between OSHA and general industry. Companies are voluntarily evaluated against stringent OSHA health and safety criteria and are admitted into the program based on their level of achievement. Only the most exemplary safety programs are allowed into the VPP.

OSHA inspectors performed an onsite evaluation at KSC in May and have recommended to the Assistant Secretary of Labor that USA continue its participation in the VPP at the Star level.

“Credit for this outstanding recognition goes to all our USA employees and those of our subcontractor partners in Florida who work together with OSHA to make sure USA provides the safest, healthiest work environment possible,” said Craig Lovell, USA Vice President of Safety, Quality and Mission Assurance.

The VPP Star designation means that USA has voluntarily met a series of 32 stringent criteria that exceed OSHA’s minimum safety requirements. Inspectors looked at workplace hazards, including the potential for bodily injury, such as slips and falls, as well as exposure to radiation, carcinogens and chemicals.

OSHA found USA’s safety and health programs in these areas very effective. Inspectors also looked at employee injury and illness rates, which were deemed to be low. In fact, according to OSHA’s report, USA’s incident rates (including days away from work, restricted activity or job transfer as a result of injury) for the period 2003 to 2005 were 61 percent and 52 percent lower than the industry average for businesses in the same standard industrial classification in a comparable time period.

Employee involvement fuels the USA safety program and is a reflection of the expectations and commitment of USA management. Based on the depth of USA’s involvement, OSHA cited both USA management commitment and employee dedication and enthusiasm regarding safety and the VPP program as a Best Practice.

Notable Best Practices include the VPP Communications Team – chartered by management to ensure that the VPP effort and accomplishments are communicated to all employees; the internal Mock Audit Program, which involves safety professionals, SGEs and other employees forming a VPP Audit Team (structured exactly like a regular OSHA Audit Team); and a fall protection system that identifies tie-off (anchor) points by painting them green. This practice readily allows employees to know those points that are certified as a secure point-of-attachment for lifelines, lanyards, or deceleration devices.

In addition to citing Best Practices, the OSHA report recognized numerous areas of excellence in USA’s policies and procedures. The report praised USA’s use of Time Out cards, which are distributed to all employees. This Time Out system encourages employees to call a halt to work in progress to clarify and resolve any individual or team concern. All employees are instructed to call a Time Out whenever they are concerned about an unsafe condition or hazard.

“I am proud of what USA has achieved in creating a safe workplace, but this is a journey that does not end here,” said Art Edwards, USA’s VPP Project Manager. “USA is committed to maintaining and improving upon this high level of performance year in and year out.”

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