Wright-Patt meets, exceeds standards to receive Star recognition

  • Published
  • By Daryl Mayer
  • 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  The final and most challenging hurdle has been cleared setting the stage for Wright-Patterson to become the first active duty Air Force base to achieve Star recognition under the Voluntary Protection Program.

"I'm going to be proud to recommend you here, the wing staff agencies, for VPP at the Star level," said Dale Henderson, Occupational Safety and Health Administration audit team lead.

The audit is the culmination of a two-year process to bring the base into VPP. That process began with an assessment by OSHA that identified deficient areas, or gaps, and then a process called gap closure, said Cynthia Bryant, 88th Air Base Wing VPP Manager. Typically, an organization will spend three years in this process before applying for Star status.

"I'm proud of the hard work people have done in getting here," said Col. Bradley Spacy, 88th ABW Commander. "Safety is a continuous improvement process and we are already planning to do more. I'm thrilled to be the first out the gate and I know we will do you proud."

The results of the audit are still at the recommendation stage, according to Ms. Bryant. Reports are yet to be done which could mean several more weeks before official word is received on the installation's application for Star recognition. Once the decision is made, an official ceremony to award the recognition plaque and VPP Star flag will be scheduled.

"Don't forget about all the extra effort that was made to achieve this goal. It takes a lot of courage to be first, to swim up the stream, and that is what you've been doing for two years," said Mr. Henderson. "But you are now part of history. Ten years from now people will look back and talk about the first organization to make it."

The audit process consisted of OSHA team members visiting work places in the wing staff agencies to observe and interview workers and supervisors. During the outbrief, several team members remarked about the people and their attitude about safety.

One of the members, Susan White, was especially impressed with the lengths Maj. Jason Jackson, 88th ABW Plans and Programs, went to ensure he chose a safe route to ride his bicycle to work. She commented that when he found the gate was closed, he chose to wait and encouraged others to do the same rather than risk riding down Route 444.

"It all comes down to taking care of your workers," said Mr. Henderson.

This audit is only the first spiral of VPP implementation at Wright-Patterson and covered the approximately 150 personnel assigned to the 88th ABW staff agencies. This was done to keep the first audit at a more manageable level for the OSHA team since they are required to perform interviews with 10 percent of the workforce, according to Ms. Bryant.

The remaining organizations of the 88th ABW and Aeronautical Systems Center, as well as other organizations on the base, including the AFMC headquarters, Air Force Research Laboratory, Air Force Institute of Technology, Air Force Security Assistance Center, National Air and Space Intelligence Center, National Museum of the United States Air Force, the 445th Airlift Wing, and the 554th Electronic Systems Group, will be included in later spirals.