Earning the STAR is just the beginning of the VPP process. B&W Pantex must maintain its already high standard for safe performance at the plant and demonstrate Management’s commitment to continuous improvement
– By Stephen Heiser –
The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has congratulated its Pantex Plant for earning STAR status in the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) – a program designed to recognize the outstanding performance of a DOE contractor’s safety program.
“This award recognizes Pantex for its exceptional record and as a leader in safety performance within the nuclear security enterprise,” said Brig. Gen. Garrett Harencak, NNSA Principal Assistant Deputy Administrator for Military Application. “NNSA congratulates the men and women at Pantex for their continued commitment to safety.”
The Department of Energy Voluntary Protection Program (DOE-VPP) promotes safety and health excellence through cooperative efforts among labor, management, and government at the Department of Energy (DOE) contractor sites. DOE has also formed partnerships with other Federal agencies and the private sector for both advancing and sharing its Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) experiences and preparing for program challenges in the next century. The safety and health of contractor and federal employees are a high priority for the Department.
The Department initiated its VPP in January 1994 to promote improved safety and health performance through public recognition of outstanding programs. DOE-VPP also includes coverage of radiation protection/nuclear safety and emergency management because of the type and complexity of DOE facilities. Similar to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA's) VPP program, DOE-VPP provides several proven benefits to participating sites, including improved labor/management relations, reduced workplace injuries and illnesses, increased employee involvement, improved morale, reduced absenteeism, and public recognition.
Categories of Achievement
The DOE-VPP has three (3) levels of recognition; STAR, MERIT and DEMONSTRATION. Contractors whose programs meet the requirements for outstanding safety and health programs receive STAR recognition, the highest achievement level. Contractors with highly effective programs, who commit themselves to attain STAR status within a five-year period, receive MERIT recognition. A site can retain MERIT recognition for a maximum of five years. The DEMONSTRATION program is expected to be used rarely. This program allows DOE to recognize existing achievements in unusual situations about which more information is needed before approval requirements for the STAR program can be determined. Once approved, STAR sites are reevaluated every three years, while MERIT and DEMONSTRATION sites are evaluated annually.
Earning the STAR is just the beginning of the VPP process. B&W Pantex must maintain its already high standard for safe performance at the plant and demonstrate Management’s commitment to continuous improvement. A DOE review team will conduct an annual evaluation.
DOE formed the Office of Health, Safety and Security (HSS) in an effort to improve the health and safety of its 130,000 employees and contractors. Its mission is to improve employee safety and the safe operation of DOE sites. HSS oversees the VPP.
B&W Pantex formed an employee committee in May 2008 to develop the application for the VPP program. The eight committee members represented employees from across the plant. The committee was able to document existing operational strengths and focus on improvement opportunities. The application was submitted to the DOE in early October 2009.
Pantex also recently received the Occupational Excellence Achievement Award from the National Safety Council (NSC).
For additional information about the DOE’s VPP program see: http://www.hss.energy.gov/HealthSafety/wsha/vpp/index.html.
B&W Pantex manages and operates the Pantex Plant near Amarillo, Texas, for the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration. B&W Pantex is also the proud recipient of the DOE’s Voluntary Protection Program STAR status for safety excellence. The company was also named one of America’s safest companies by Occupational Hazards magazine and has received numerous awards from the National Safety Council.
Established by Congress in 2000, NNSA is a semi-autonomous agency within the U.S. Department of Energy responsible for enhancing national security through the military application of nuclear science in the nation’s national security enterprise. NNSA maintains and enhances the safety, security, reliability, and performance of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile without nuclear testing; reduces the global danger from weapons of mass destruction; provides the U.S. Navy with safe and effective nuclear propulsion; and responds to nuclear and radiological emergencies in the U.S. and abroad. Visit http://www.nnsa.energy.gov/ for more information.