OCR Text |
Show HILLTOP TIMES 4 TIMES August 19, 2010 309th Electronics Maintenance Group takes VPP to whole new level |BY AIRMAN 1ST CLASS 'MELISSA DEARSTONE (75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs p hile the Voluntary Protection Program might I be new to some organifzations at Hill, the 309th ; Electronics Maintenance ! Group implemented VPP 1- more than two years ago ; and has seen positive ; changes within the group ; concerning the safety and ' well being of their em; ployees. ; The VPP program ! is different from other I safety programs because ; it is employee driven. It ' is run off the employee's motivation and dedication to address safety issues and keep the work environment safe. The employee driven program has brought up many Wi safety issues that have been resolved within the 309th EMXG, making a safer work environment for all personnel. "Within the last 18 months, we have had no reportable injuries and we have seen a significant amount of input from employees as far as identifying hazards," said Alvin Castro, 527th Electronics Maintenance Squadron VPP representative. Castro said that with several hazards identified and fixed, it has turned the workplace into a more positive place. With VPP completely run by employees, there are many ways that VPP is being noticed and implemented around the workplace. "We have shop reps and area reps so employees have more options on who they can talk to about a hazard they have found," said Christopher Stewart, 3fi9th EMXG VPP chairman. "We also have whiteboards around the facilities for employees and a new online system on the computer where everyone can immediately report a hazard with a click of a button." Stewart said that with the overwhelming amount of participation from the employees, their future goal for the 309th EMXG is to submit an application to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration by the end of this year for them to come and inspect their facilities. "We look forward to having OSHA come out and star certify us, letting us know that we have one of the safest sites to work at on Hill Air Force Base," said Stewart. Stewart said that the only way Team Hill is going to succeed in VPP and reaching its goals is for everyone to understand that this is an employeerun program. It is for employees, by employees. "VPP is really a culture change", said Castro. "Since VPP has come into place, you're seeing people caring more about other people, making sure everyone is aware and it's great to see everyone come together from such a strong dedication to this program." Home Delivery Service Now Online! • Make a payment • Place a Vacation hold • Renew your subscription 1 Special offers • Contact the Circulation Dept. www.standard.net SAVE A LIFE Blood-Plasma Donations Provide... • Innovative life-saving products & services since 1940 • Significant scientific & clinical advances in healthcare • Therapeutic treatment to countless numbers of children and adults in desperate need of critical care for burns, shock, and other life-threatening conditions IDEA awards save $820,000 and bring cash to three 309th workers BY BILL ORNDORFF 309th Maintenance Wing I deas by three employees of the 309th Maintenance Wing saved the government nearly $820,000, and in turn brought them cash awards of $10,000 each. The employees—Frank Derm, Reggie Pope and Vergel Palacio — were formally recognized Aug. 9 by Mark Johnson, Ogden Air Logistics Center executive director, for their participation in the Innovative Development through Employee Awareness (IDEA) program. Frank Derm, a mechanical engineer with the 309th Maintenance Support Squadron, found that an item could be repaired, rather than rebuilt. He saw thatlarrico Corp. deemed an autoclave pressure vessel unusable Denn after cracks were found in the locking rings and lugs that are part of the door. Taricco had asked for a complete rebuild of the vessel door, but Denn contacted the autoclave's manufacturer and discovered a repair was possible, making the complete rebuild unnecessary. The idea was approved and implemented, saving the Air Force $487,880. Reggie Pope, an electronics technician with the 523rd Electronics Maintenance Squadron, found a test was unnecessary. He noted that the Operational Assurance and Fault Isolation software included fre- • Plasma donors with much-needed additional income Muif bring photo ID, Proof of Reiidoncy and Social Security Card GR1FOLS Biomat USA, Inc. WLhlf Wilf/ei'S /flOSt: pCOpk > 375 South State • Clearfield, UT (801)825-1999 quencies that are not used to T(i»L'tlwr We Can Make A Difference... http://biomatusa.grifols.com test any of the depot workload. He proposed changing the upper limit frequency measure from 18.5 GHz to 11 GHz to the advanced AIS stations and to make it Pope optional to test to 18.5GHz. With this change, exchange costs will be avoided due to circuit cards no longer having to be exchanged for new/ repaired cards because of unnecessary testing. The idea resulted in a tangible savings of $182,171 to the Air Force. Vergel Palacio, a mechanical engineer with the 309th Missile Maintenance Group, heard about a project to build a clean room in Building 2014 at a significant cost to the Air Force. PalaPalacio cio suggested refurbishing existing downdraft hoods to create the clean room environment. The approved idea saved the Air Force $146,284. For more details on the IDEA program, contact Teri Gibby, program coordinator, at (801) 777-0127; or visit the IDEA Program Data System at https^/ipds.randolph. af.mil, to see ideas previously submitted. CLASSIFIED ADS OH YOUR MOBILE PHONE! FREE APPS: iPhone, Android & BlackBerry Homes • Autos • Jobs Stuff • Social Media i • Place an Ad [.standard.net/mebileads Follow us on Twitter for featured ads twitter.com/standardclass fc DUTY. •am HONOR. ¥ EDUCATION. CALL TOLL FREE 888.254.5822 VISIT US ONLINE WIILITARY.ASHFORD.EDU/HILLTOP |