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DGMC presented VPP "STAR" status, flag by OSHA

  • Published
  • By Jim Spellman
  • 60th Air Mobility Public Affairs
The stars descended on David Grant USAF Medical Center April 9, along with local officials and community leaders from surrounding Solano County and Team Travis is invited to the afternoon ceremony.

Lt. Gen. Rusty M. Findley II, vice commander, Air Mobility Command; Maj. Gen. (Dr.) Thomas Loftus, assistant surgeon general for health care operations; Col. (Dr.) William Pollan, AMC deputy command surgeon; Mr. Ken Atha, Occupational Safety and Health Administration Region Nine administrator; and Mr. Peter Wilsey, OSHA Voluntary Protection Program team leader for Region Nine will formally award DGMC Voluntary Protection Program "STAR" site status at the North (flagpole side) entrance April 9 at 1 p.m.

DGMC joins an elite group of only 2,236 businesses out of more than 70,000 nationwide to have achieved this level of workplace performance. Additionally, DGMC is the first organization in AMC and only the second medical center in the Department of Defense to achieve VPP STAR status. Fewer than 10 hospitals in all 50 states have been awarded this status by OSHA for excellence in safety and health.

Developed in 1982 for use in private industry to enhance workplace safety and health, OSHA credits the program with saving 862 companies an estimated $1 billion by reducing injuries and illnesses in the workplace. Conversely, preventable injuries and illnesses have cost the Department of Defense an estimated $10 to $21 billion annually, according to the National Safety Council.

The process for achieving VPP STAR status at DGMC started in 2007 with an initial assessment of the medical center's safety and health programs. The final hurdle was an on-site program evaluation last June when a team of OSHA evaluators conducted staff interviews, workplace evaluations and documentation reviews. "The OSHA evaluators determined DGMC's safety and health programs were excellent, and we were recommended for VPP STAR status," said Ms. Margaret Banks, safety manager for DGMC.

"We now join the ranks of companies like Georgia-Pacific, Boeing, Monsanto, Omaha Steaks and Morton Salt Company in showing how much we care about our people," said Dr. (Col.) Brian Hayes, 60th Medical Group commander. "Our diligence and actions have paid big dividends through our commitment to workplace safety, not only for ourselves, but for every person who walks through our doors."

"I truly believe we are the best at getting better," Col Hayes added. "We cannot rest on our achievements but have to work every day to improve our safety record, both on and off duty."