March 22, 2004—The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has formally welcomed Kellogg, Brown and Root’s Fort Huachuca Project into OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Program (VPP), saying that “KBR clearly sets a high priority on safety and health and has consistently demonstrated excellence and leadership in workplace safety at the Fort Huachuca Project.”
KBR provides facilities support and management services at the Fort Huachuca Army Base. The company’s employees and three sub-contractors plan and manage logistical functions on the base, including refueling airplanes, warehousing, supply, maintenance, fabrication, receiving and tracking hazardous materials, and shipping household goods for military personnel.
KBR’s cumulative rate of injuries and illnesses for the last three years is less than half the national average for the industry, and its record of lost work time due to health and safety issues is well below national averages, reports OSHA. There were no incidents reported in 2003. The company supports an aggressive Corrective Action Request system, which encourages employees to note and report workplace hazards, stop unsafe actions when necessary, and submit suggestions to improve the safety of work processes.
Acceptance into The Voluntary Protection Program is OSHA’s official recognition of the outstanding efforts of employers and employees who have implemented exemplary safety and health management systems. There are 1,036 work sites nationwide in the VPP, representing 208 industries. OSHA says VPP companies achieve average injury rates 50 percent lower than other companies in their industry.
