NASA celebrates contractors for safe practices
2018-04-18
How does NASA and its industry partners keep their employees safe? Some organizations use inspections. Some use toolboxes. And some use … sharks.
On March 20, NASA Johnson Space Center’s Safety and Mission Assurance organization held its 11th annual Contractor Safety and Health Forum (CSF) Excellence Awards at the Gilruth Center Ballroom. These ceremonies benefit the industry by not only recognizing reductions in mishaps and hazards, but also by sharing best practices among contractors.
Among the contractors that were awarded an Innovation Award—the highest honor—was Oceaneering Space Systems. This organization recognized exemplary safety advocates by rewarding them with the title “Safety Shark,” giving them a special, limited Safety Shark shirt.
“We give Innovation Awards to the companies who really stand out,” said Greg Tonnies, the Safety, Environmental and Health manager for Jacobs Technology. “These awards go to the projects that are not only impactful, but give other people ideas for what to do in their organizations.”
“When we award a ‘Safety Shark’ shirt, we explain to the recipient why they’re receiving it,” said Oceaneering’s Doug Harris, a Health, Safety and Environment manager. “If someone asks –‘Where did you get that?’—they can explain how they earned it. That encourages others to do the same.”
All of the organizations in the ceremony were rewarded for participating in the JSC Safety and Health Action team and CSF meetings, as well as for their impressive Total Case Incident Rate (TCIR) and Days Away Restricted Time (DART) rates. Many organizations boasted a TCIR and DART rate of zero for calendar year 2017.
However, some organizations, like Oceaneering, went above and beyond the minimum criteria by encouraging safe practices through creative and innovative ways.
Contractors used different media forms to accommodate a variety of different learners. Wyle Science, Technology and Engineering, for instance, found a way to display safety news and metrics on a large screen TV in the building atrium. Additionally, the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle team from Lockheed Martin dedicated an entire website to safety and health. And the Cargo Mission Contract team from Leidos even created a safety innovator calendar to advertise monthly activities, safety meetings and safety messages.
Other contractors encouraged safe behaviors by organizing events such as safety symposiums, safety fairs and even something called “Tennis Shoe Tuesday,” which the Leidos Facility Development Operations Contract received an Innovation Award for. This particular event was part of a Slip, Trip and Fall Awareness Week that encouraged employees to wear proper footwear, use handrails and refrain from walking while using a cell phone.
Boeing was also highlighted for efforts to keep people from being distracted by their phones. They engaged the company with an Electronics Challenge that awarded employees with tickets for stopping in one place while using their devices. The challenge ended after two weeks with a drawing for Houston Astros tickets.
“It was positive reinforcement of good safety behavior,” said Kelly Byerley, an Environment, Health and Safety specialist for Boeing. “Also, it gave our leaders a way to connect with employees and discuss safety in a fun, positive way.”
The CSF Safety and Health Excellence Awards not only shows appreciation for contractors’ efforts to keep people safe, but inspires others to take similar steps. Let’s hope that many others become “Safety Sharks” in 2018.
Oceaneering Space Systems received the Innovation Award—the highest honor—and also a special “Safety Shark” shirt to go along with it. Image Credit: NASA/Robert Markowitz
Thalia Patrinos
NASA Johnson Space Center
On March 20, NASA Johnson Space Center’s Safety and Mission Assurance organization held its 11th annual Contractor Safety and Health Forum (CSF) Excellence Awards at the Gilruth Center Ballroom. These ceremonies benefit the industry by not only recognizing reductions in mishaps and hazards, but also by sharing best practices among contractors.
Among the contractors that were awarded an Innovation Award—the highest honor—was Oceaneering Space Systems. This organization recognized exemplary safety advocates by rewarding them with the title “Safety Shark,” giving them a special, limited Safety Shark shirt.
“We give Innovation Awards to the companies who really stand out,” said Greg Tonnies, the Safety, Environmental and Health manager for Jacobs Technology. “These awards go to the projects that are not only impactful, but give other people ideas for what to do in their organizations.”
“When we award a ‘Safety Shark’ shirt, we explain to the recipient why they’re receiving it,” said Oceaneering’s Doug Harris, a Health, Safety and Environment manager. “If someone asks –‘Where did you get that?’—they can explain how they earned it. That encourages others to do the same.”
All of the organizations in the ceremony were rewarded for participating in the JSC Safety and Health Action team and CSF meetings, as well as for their impressive Total Case Incident Rate (TCIR) and Days Away Restricted Time (DART) rates. Many organizations boasted a TCIR and DART rate of zero for calendar year 2017.
However, some organizations, like Oceaneering, went above and beyond the minimum criteria by encouraging safe practices through creative and innovative ways.
Contractors used different media forms to accommodate a variety of different learners. Wyle Science, Technology and Engineering, for instance, found a way to display safety news and metrics on a large screen TV in the building atrium. Additionally, the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle team from Lockheed Martin dedicated an entire website to safety and health. And the Cargo Mission Contract team from Leidos even created a safety innovator calendar to advertise monthly activities, safety meetings and safety messages.
Other contractors encouraged safe behaviors by organizing events such as safety symposiums, safety fairs and even something called “Tennis Shoe Tuesday,” which the Leidos Facility Development Operations Contract received an Innovation Award for. This particular event was part of a Slip, Trip and Fall Awareness Week that encouraged employees to wear proper footwear, use handrails and refrain from walking while using a cell phone.
Boeing was also highlighted for efforts to keep people from being distracted by their phones. They engaged the company with an Electronics Challenge that awarded employees with tickets for stopping in one place while using their devices. The challenge ended after two weeks with a drawing for Houston Astros tickets.
“It was positive reinforcement of good safety behavior,” said Kelly Byerley, an Environment, Health and Safety specialist for Boeing. “Also, it gave our leaders a way to connect with employees and discuss safety in a fun, positive way.”
The CSF Safety and Health Excellence Awards not only shows appreciation for contractors’ efforts to keep people safe, but inspires others to take similar steps. Let’s hope that many others become “Safety Sharks” in 2018.
Oceaneering Space Systems received the Innovation Award—the highest honor—and also a special “Safety Shark” shirt to go along with it. Image Credit: NASA/Robert Markowitz
Thalia Patrinos
NASA Johnson Space Center