1,001 Safety Success Stories
Executive Summaries

Naval Medical Center San Diego Pharmacy Resolves Ergonomic Risks of Prolonged Standing - Pharmacy Technicians used to risk developing work-related musculoskeletal disorders due to prolonged standing and awkward working postures at walk-up prescription kiosks. Through the Chief of Naval Operations' Hazard Abatement and Mishap Prevention Program ergonomic solutions such as anti-fatigue matting and sit/stand stools were found to alleviate risk factors.

Naval Medical Center San Diego Resolves Risk of Lifting Injuries in Pharmacy Compounding Station - Pharmacy Technicians used to risk developing work-related musculoskeletal disorders due to lifting and transferring heavy containers of lotion compounds above shoulder height. The Chief of Naval Operations' Hazard Abatement and Mishap Prevention Program approved and purchased a hydraulic scissors lift table that adjusts to suit each technician’s height and reach.

NAVFAC Eliminates Fall Hazards In Sewage Pumping Stations At NAS Meridian, Mississippi - NAS Meridian’s Safety Office identified fall hazards in their underground sewage pumping stations. Using Hazard Abatement Program funding, NAVFAC engineered and installed fall protection modifications to ladders, guardrails, swing gates, gauges and meters, and anchorages for confined space rescue systems that minimize the risk of falls from elevations in pumping stations.

NAVFAC Industrial Hygienist Assists in the Clean Up and Restoration of Flooded NRC Baltimore - NAVFAC sent an industrial hygienist and an environmental contractor to assess hurricane damage to NRC Baltimore and plan for the repair and restoration of the facility. The industrial hygienist identified the health risks due to flooding and supervised the clean up, thereby preventing exposures to mold and black water pollutants while minimizing property damage. 

Worker Initiative and Best Practices at NAS Kingsville Prevent a High Voltage Mishap - NAS Kingsville's Occupational Safety and Health Department initiated a shift in the perception of the responsibility for safety to managers and employees by integrating private industry Best Practices into the NAVOSH Program.   A work crew confirmed the success of the Initiative when they prevented a high voltage mishap by taking the lead in identifying and controlling an unanticipated hazard.

USS John F. Kennedy's Medical Officer and Three Hospital Corpsmen Save a Life – During an Extended Selected Restricted Availability (ESRA), a medical officer and three USS Kennedy Hospital Corpsmen put their Navy medical training to the test when they rescued a critically injured contract worker who had fallen vertically, more than 20 feet, into an ordnance storage compartment.

Dry-dock Guardrails Protect Workers from Falls at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Kittery, Maine - NAVFAC SW designed and installed rigid guardrails to replace an outdated fall protection system at the top of a PNS Kittery dry dock. The CNO's Hazard Abatement Program funded the guardrail replacement project to minimize the fall hazard associated with working near dry docks. The guardrails were installed at a substantial cost and time savings, and considerably decrease the cost of maintaining a fall prevention guardrail system.

Crane Fall Hazard Abatement at Naval Inventory Control Point (NAVICP) Mechanicsburg, Pa - NAVICP Mechanicsburg was approved by the CNO's Hazard Abatement Program for funding to abate fall hazards on its 60-foot high bridge crane. Guard rails, catwalks, and laddercages now supplement the use of fall arrest gear to protect maintenance personnel, crane operators and inspectors from the risk of falling from heights.

RTC Great Lakes Develops Safety Boots that Prevent Musculoskeletal Disorders and Injuries - The Medical Department at RTC Great Lakes recognized a link between the safety boots issued to new recruits and foot and leg injuries experienced by recruits during basic training. Following an extensive study, the Navy developed a much improved replacement boot that prevents foot injuries while meeting the Navy's strict safety footwear requirements.

Electrical Safety Program Protects USS Kitty Hawk - America's oldest active warship has an exceptional Electrical Safety Program to protect a crew of more than 5,500 from high, medium, and low voltage electrical hazards. 

Navy's Mobile Preventive Medicine Team Protects Sailors and Marines During Operation Iraqi Freedom - The Navy's Preventive Medicine Mobile Medical Augmentation Readiness Team 5 in central Iraq is the first line of defense in protecting the health of Marines and their Navy support staff during Operation Iraqi Freedom.  Read about how this vital unit prevents communicable diseases, occupational illnesses, and other health hazards that might otherwise harm Sailors and Marines deployed there. 

NAS Sigonella's Customs Office Reduces Risk of Injuries & Musculoskeletal Disorders - NAS Sigonella's Customs Office moved into an office that was cramped and inefficiently laid out.  It also had substandard electrical outlets and was inadequately lighted and ventilated.  Sigonella's Safety Department implemented PR&MS requirements to perform a safety survey and an ergonomic assessment of the new facility.  Based on Safety's recommendations, Sigonella's Material, Customs, and Transportation Office located a supplier that provided ergonomically designed workstations and maximized the use of available space.  Read about these ergonomic improvements and the safety enhancements made by Sigonella’s PWD at 

NAS Sigonella and NSA Naples Presented Safety Excellence Award by Italian Association of Safety, Health and Environmental Professionals (AIAS) - Following successful integration of the US Navy's PR&MS requirements with the requirements of Italian safety laws, NAS Sigonella and NSA Naples were awarded for their safety excellence by the Italian certifying body and regional authority for all safety issues.  Read about how the Navy earned this prestigious award, the first time a safety award was presented to the U.S. Navy by a foreign professional safety association.

Computerized Data Accelerates Industrial Hygiene Chemical Exposure Risk Assessments at NAS Rota -  NAS Rota's Industrial Hygiene Department cross-referenced their MSDS and AUL databases to streamline the cataloging of hazardous materials.  Industrial hygienists use the combined databases to assess the health risks associated with hazardous materials. These risk assessments have helped Industrial Hygiene reduce occupational exposures to hazardous substances at NAS Rota, especially to potential carcinogens and reproductive hazards.

SIMA San Diego Welders Reduce Risk of Injuries with Welding Power-Con Carrying Fixture - Welders in the SIMA San Diego Welding Shop manually carried heavy welding equipment to, from and aboard Navy ships in dry dock.  The CNO's Hazard Abatement Program funded the in-house design and development of a fixture that allows two workers to share the load of carrying portable welding equipment. 

Renovated Paint Spray Booth Improves Worker Health & Safety at PWC Philadelphia – renovated their paint spray booth by upgrading local exhaust ventilation and electrical systems.  Fluorescent lighting and an air filter pressure gauge also positively affect worker health and safety and increase productivity.  

Improved Local Exhaust Ventilation Protects Welders at PWC, Philadelphia - Industrial hygienists from National Naval Medical Center played a pivotal role in PWC Philadelphia's welding shop acquiring an improved local exhaust ventilation system to replace its canopy hood. The new local exhaust system substantially reduces the risks associated with overexposures of workers to welding smoke and fumes. 

SIMA San Diego Uses Anti-Vibration Sanders to Prevent Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome - Antenna Shop repair technicians reported numbness and tingling in their hands and fingers after using conventional jitterbug sanders.  Industrial hygienists from Naval Medical Center San Diego researched and recommended anti-vibration jitterbug sanders, which eliminated the risk of hand arm vibration syndrome. 

Navy Environmental Health Center’s Web-Based Industrial Hygiene Field Operations Manual - NEHC developed an Industrial Hygiene Field Operations Manual (IHFOM) and has posted the manual on its website. NEHC keeps the manual current on the latest technical and regulatory industrial hygiene changes to assist Navy industrial hygienists in planning field surveys, evaluating findings, and drafting reports. 

Hazardous Waste Rake Prevents Exposures and Injuries at Public Works Center, San Diego - Various safety hazards were associated with the manual redistribution of hazardous waste deposited in roll-off bins at PWC San Diego.  The problem was solved when a supervisor in PWC’s Environmental Department came up with the idea for a Hazardous Waste Rake that could be attached to a forklift.  PWC’s hazardous waste is now redistributed by remote access.

Navy Develops HAZWOPER Checklist to Protect Hazardous Waste Site Workers - NEHC’s Environmental Programs Directorate has developed and posted to the NEHC website a Site-Specific Health and Safety Plan Review Checklist to assist in writing and reviewing hazard and safety plans (HASPs) and to improve HASP quality. NEHC-EP’s efforts provide an easily accessible tool to assist with drafting HASPs that meet regulatory agency requirements. 

Pearl Harbor's Smart Center Returns the Fleet to Readiness - Since the Branch Medical Clinic Pearl Harbor opened its Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Therapy (SMART) Center it has successfully returned 78% of its patients to duty status within 30 days. The SMART approach emphasizes diagnosis, treatment, reconditioning of musculoskeletal injuries, and the expeditious return to duty. 

Industrial Hygienist Resolves Paint Booth Ventilation Problem at NAS JRB Willow Grove - Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department workers noticed increased noise and vibration in the ventilation system of the shop's paint spray booth. A National Naval Medical Center Industrial Hygienist determined that the booth's dirty exhaust fan and ductwork were causing the problems as well as impeding the flow of exhaust air out of the booth. Thorough cleaning of the fan and surrounding ductwork solved the problem. 

Fitting Chairs to Workers Prevents Back Pain at Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division - Administrative employees at NSWC Crane Division had complained of back pain due to chairs that were incompatible with personal computer use. The Crane Division OSH Office instituted a chair loan program that allows workers to try out multiple models of desk chairs before committing to order a specific model. Personal computer users are now comfortable and free of back pain.

Pneumatic Grinder Prevents Workplace Injuries in SIMA Naval Amphibious Base Coronado’s Small Boat Repair Department - Repair technicians in the SIMA Amphibious Base Coronado Small Boat Repair Shop used to experience vibration-induced hand and arm discomfort due to use of a hand-held grinder. Investigation into the risk of vibration exposure led SIMA's industrial hygienist to locate a suitable ergonomic grinder. This pneumatic grinder greatly reduces the risk of vibration exposure. 

PWC San Diego Prevents WMSDs, Increases Productivity, and Reduces Costs With Automated Cleaning and Lubrication System - Crane riggers in PWC San Diego's Crane and Rigging Department were at risk for WMSDs while manually cleaning and lubricating wire rope from floating and land crane winches. The purchase of an automated wire rope lubrication system has minimized the risk of WMSDs, increased productivity, and reduced costs. 

Patient Lifts Prevent Injuries and Workplace Musculoskeletal Disorders at National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, MD - In the past, half of all occupational back injuries at NNMC, Bethesda were related to lifting and transferring patients. Since the purchase of three portable patient lifts and a mechanical ceiling lift no serious back injuries have been reported on the wards where the lifts are being used. 

Rollertop Hydraulic Lift Table Reduces Injuries and WMSDs at Naval Intermediate Maintenance Facility, Bangor - Shipwrights risked WMSDs due to cutting 300-pound keel blocks. An ergonomic assessment and input from workers and Safety led to an ergonomic solution.

NASSIG Ergonomic Interventions Deliver Fleet Mail Center from Work-Related Disabilities - developed ergonomic solutions to protect mail handlers from WMSDs. Equipment, work station design, and structural modifications have all benefited NASSIG Mail Center employees as they move five million pounds of mail a year between the U. S. and locally assigned military and civilians and the Fleet.

Naval Safety Center’s Website Links Safety Surfers With Safety Information - Safety Surfers are finding a veritable host of information to meet their safety awareness and injury-prevention needs at the Naval Safety Center's website. Visitors can find online versions of periodicals, safety posters, safety checklists, links to other safety websites, and more.

Navy’s Southwest Region Excels at Managing Workers’ Compensation Program – NRSW has increased efficiency and effectiveness in managing its workers’ compensation cases. NRSW was the first Navy region to consolidate Workers’ Compensation into a central office. 

MED Mall at NAS Sigonella, Italy Ergonomically Designed for Employees and Customers - The Mediterranean Mall, or Med Mall, office supply store at Naval Air Sation, Sigonella, Italy has been ergonomically redesigned.

Naval Safety Center Marks 50 Years as "One-Stop Safety Shop" Service to Navy and Marine Corps – 50 years of enhancing naval readiness culminating in a "one-stop safety shop" for Navy sailors and marines around the world.

Naval Facility Engineering Command Builds in Fall Protection – Architects and engineers who may not previously have considered the safety of building occupants in designing and building structures, can now find suitable training through NAVFAC’s "Fall Protection and Prevention Training" module. 

Ergonomic Microscopes Reduce the Risk of Musculoskeletal Disorders at Naval Health Research Center’s Respiratory Disease Laboratory – Technicians were at risk of WMSDs from using traditional binocular microscopes. The lab acquired microscopes with many ergonomically sound features, which reduce worker discomfort.

NAS Sigonella's Ergo Tips Reduce Risk of WMSDs - NASSIG's Ergonomics Program Manager used photos taken during ergonomic assessments to develop a unique series of fliers called Ergo Tips. The colorful leaflets point out risk factors for WMSDs and provide information for avoiding those risks. The pictures help workers make the connection between their work situations and the information in the Ergo Tips.

Lockout Prevents Electric Shock Injuries at NNOC - Naval Network Operations Command found a solution to their electrical Lockout/Tagout needs. They are using a new breaker lockout device that is used to lock any circuit breaker. Electricians and electrical maintenance technicians now work more safely on transmitters, receivers, and other electronic communications systems.

Industrial Hygienists Clear the Air after Pentagon Terrorist Attack – The September 11th terrorist attack released health-hazardous residues in the Pentagon crash zone and trailed contamination into adjacent areas. National Naval Medical Center’s industrial hygienists helped to expedite the recovery and restoration of the Pentagon and dispelled lingering concerns of attack-related health hazards. 

Expertise of Industrial Hygienists Keeps Navy Firefighters Safe - A National Naval Medical Center North industrial hygienist discovered leaking facepieces when examining SCBAs at Naval Surface Warfare Command Philadelphia's fire department. His quick action to have the SCBAs removed from service saved firefighters from a potentially deadly situation. Additional Industrial Hygiene assistance resulted in newer model SCBAs for the NSWC fire department. The new SCBAs are a big improvement for the firefighters. 

Naval Air Station, Sigonella, Italy Promotes Motor Vehicle Safety - NASSIG promotes motor vehicle safety by requiring privately-owned cars to pass a safety inspection before they can be driven anywhere in Italy or parked on base. Only owners of vehicles that pass inspection may buy gasoline on base, and cars that fail the inspection must be repaired or junked. 

Ergonomic Carts Improve Management of Hydraulics Parts at NADEP JAX - Aircraft Examiners and Evaluators were working in cramped, overcrowded conditions while evaluating and directing thousands of aircraft parts for repair. NADEP’s Ergo Team evaluated the situation and recommended mobile, easily stored staging and transfer carts. 

Insulated Clothing and Temperature Scanner Prevent Cold Stress at NASSIG - Workers in the walk-in cold storage rooms and freezers in the food service galley received new clothing to protect against the risk of cold stress injuries. Insulated gloves and coveralls keep workers warm and comfortable. A temperature scanner allows workers to stay outside the walk-in freezer when recording freezer temperatures. 

Industrial Hygiene Expertise at NRL, Washington, D.C. Is Only a Label Away - Scheduling industrial hygiene services at NRL is a challenge due to the unpredictable nature of research projects and the numerous chemicals in stock. An IH with the National Naval Medical Center developed preprinted, self-adhering labels to be affixed to each chemical container. The labels remind scientists to contact NNMC for an industrial hygiene evaluation of workplace hazards associated with a chemical before it is used. 

Computer Ergonomics: A Little Awareness Goes a Long Way at NADEP JAX - Ergonomic improvements recommended by NADEP JAX's Ergonomics Team in computer work stations eliminated the risk of CTDs for all but one employee. The Team's findings led to two straight-forward, inexpensive solutions to the ergonomic problem.

NAS Sigonella Safety Poster Program Saves Lives – A safety poster program was initiated to bring safety messages to military personnel and their families. Over 180 posters have been developed and are available to Navy and DoD locations via the Internet. 

Ergonomic Improvements in NAS Sigonella Galley Reduce the Risk of Injuries and WMSDs - Ergonomics is the key for food service workers in the NAS II galley. Cooking and serving areas, tools, and equipment have all been designed with ergonomic comfort in mind. 

PWC Coronado Laboratory Prevents Injuries and CTD’s with Automatic Shaker for Separatory Funnels – Technicians in the Environmental Laboratory now have an ergonomic alternative to manual shaking of laboratory separatory funnels.

Navy Technical Laboratory at NSWCDD, Dahlgren Pulls Plug on Laser Hazards – Safety experts at the laboratory recently removed two laser systems from use that presented a risk of personal injury during combat training. A safe laser system has been substituted. 

PWC San Diego’s Carpet Pullers Improve Productivity and Reduce Risk of Injuries and CTDs – Mechanical carpet pullers allow workers to maintain an ergonomically safe, neutral position during carpet-removal. They are being used as a direct result of an intervention by PWC’s Employee Driven Cultural Safety Forum to identify and find funding for this ergonomic improvement. 

NADEP JAX Finds Cost-Effective Ergonomic Solution To Eliminate Lifting Problems – Employees in the Engines Receiving Area called on their Ergonomics Team to review lifting procedures for unpacking combustion liners from tightly packed containers. An inexpensive solution eliminates risk of injuries and CTDs and saves time and materials. 

PWC San Diego Prevents Injuries and CTDs While Improving Productivity and Reducing Costs – Workers in the recycling plant had to use awkward postures to pull heavy protective tarps over dump truckloads of waste until the PWC safety coordinator and local Employee Driven Cultural Safety Forum found an ergonomic solution in the form of an automatic system called the sky hook. 

Foldaway Platform Solves Blast Booth Ergonomic Problems at NADEP Jacksonville – Avionics Shop workers were forced into awkward work postures for long periods of time due to the configuration of their blast booth cabinet. With the help of a coworker and the NADEP Ergonomics Team, a foldaway platform was installed that allows workers to stand or sit comfortably while working. 

SIMA, Norfolk Dive Chamber’s Perfect Hyperbaric Treatment Record - SIMA’s Dive Team operates the Navy’s largest hyperbaric treatment chamber. The sealed chamber is submerged in the ocean where patients inhale oxygen at greater than atmospheric pressure. The chamber is used to treat many illnesses. 

Abated Fall Hazard at NAS Whidbey Island Fuel Pier - Steep climbs between fuel barges and the pier during fuel transfer operations put workers at risk of falling into the frigid waters of Puget Sound. The CNO HA Program came to the rescue with funding for a floating dock and hydraulic winch to minimize the risk of falling between the barge and pier. 

Ergonomic Innovation in Flapwell Repair Reduces Risk of CTDs - Sheet metal mechanics on the NADEP JAX P-3 aircraft maintenance line found their own ergonomic solution to avoid awkward postures and minimize the risk of cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs). 

Fall Protection Incorporated into Automated Material Handling - Warehousemen at NUWC Keyport risked falling when they climbed the new automated material handling system to service it at heights of up to six stories from the warehouse floor. A fall protection system was installed to provide safe access to the material handling system. 

ORM Implementation at NAWCWD – The ORM Implementation Team at NAWCWD evaluated various safety cultures throughout the Command to predict successful implementation of ORM and to introduce ORM principles to supervisors and employees. 

NADEP Jacksonville Conquers Odd Shapes and Awkward Postures in its Canopy Shop - The NADEP JAX Canopy Shop cut its risk of injuries and CTDs with two ergonomic improvements that eliminate the need for awkward postures and manual lifts when working on or moving fragile, heavy, and oddly shaped aircraft canopies. 

Production Controllers Cradle Hydraulics Parts – The NADEP JAX Ergo Team found a way to protect shop workers from risk of upper body injuries and CTDs by substituting clumsy transport carts with cradle carts that adjust to fit the parts being moved. 

Ergonomic Door Fixture and Reduced Vibration Tooling Prevent Worker Injuries at NASNI -  Door Three Shop sheet metal mechanics are proud of their part in the design of a fixture that holds and rotates FA-18 doors.  The door fixture and new reduced vibration tooling make it possible for mechanics to repair the aircraft doors without risk of HAVS or WMSDs   The Return on Investment due to these ergonomic, time saving improvements is very impressive. 

Wing Shop Mechanics Grounded at NADEP Jacksonville - Sheet metal mechanics in the Wing Shop at NADEP JAX no longer risk injury by climbing transport carts to work on wing parts. They now have ergonomic transport dollies that don’t require climbing or awkward postures when loading or unloading. 

Winter Safety at Naval Air Station, Keflavik – NAS has experienced a steady decline in slips, trips, and falls during icy conditions through long sub-Arctic winters. Read about hazard awareness programs and an innovative solution for preventing falls on slippery surfaces. 

U.S. Navy Integrates U.S. and Spanish OH Programs – NAVACTS has integrated the Navy’s Spanish employees into the NAVOSH Program while successfully complying with Spanish OSH law requirements. 

U.S. Naval Hospital, Rota Meets Spanish OSH Requirements – NAVHOSP solved multinational regulatory maze in two languages and complied with American, Spanish and European Union laws and regulations. 

Ergonomic Improvements at NADEP JAX Reduce Cumulative Trauma Disorders – Aircraft maintenance workers asked NADEP’s Ergo Team to find ergonomically designed tools and equipment to improve comfort levels and reduce risk of CTDs. 

Pneumatic Tables Improve Ergonomics in Model Shipbuilding – Pneumatic tables for ship model builders at PWC San Diego adjust to comfortable heights for each worker. 

A New Twist (or Lack of It) for Computer Users at NADEP JAX – a computer user at NADEP JAX still experienced neck pain with his new modular work station. NADEP’s Ergo Training Program helped him realize where to get help. 

The Navy Corporate Ergonomics Program in Spain - Ergo-Teams were trained and empowered to encourage workers at all levels to recognize and help resolve ergonomic risk factors in their work areas.

Safety and Health and Environmental Training Innovations – Innovative instructional methods are employed worldwide by the Navy Occupational Safety and Health and Environmental Training Center to educate Navy and Marine Corps personnel. 

MSC Drives Safety Home with Dramatic Videos – MSC developed video training modules to ensure operations, maintenance, and repair information is available for the life of their ships. 

Navy Noise Reduction Patent Used by Military and Private Industry – A unique sound-absorbing material, developed and patented at the Naval Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory, has numerous military and commercial noise-attenuation applications. Circumaural hearing protection made from this material protects workers up to three hours longer than conventional materials. 

Ladder Loader and Bumper Hoist Prevent Injuries – PWC San Diego – Maintenance/repair technicians use mechanical ladder loaders and hoists to lift heavy equipment into and out of mobile van workshops. The innovations contributed to PWC’s lowest lost time case rate in five years.

Naval Hospital, Camp Pendleton Standardizes Sharps Containers - to protect hospital staff from bloodborne pathogens and ensure familiarity with how sharps containers afford protection and why it’s important that the containers comply with Bloodborne Pathogens Program requirements. 

Naval Hospital, Rota Links Hearing Conservation Training and Audiometric Testing - A process improvement in Naval Station, Rota's Hearing Conservation Plan saves time and conserves resources. Linking audiometric testing and refresher HCP training at the NAVSTA hospital has resulted in an annual cost-avoidance of approximately $9,000.00. 

Fall Protection Program at PWC Guam - Implemented an outstanding fall protection program that has been key to prevention of fall-related injuries. The command’s commitment to safety is proven by the absence of fall-related mishaps for over a decade. 

Safety and Health Evaluation of P2 Equipment – NAVFACENGCOM has developed a process to evaluate pollution prevention equipment for potential safety and health hazards associated with installation, operation, and maintenance of the equipment. 

Super-Saw Improves Submarine Maintenance at PHNSY & IMF – Shipyard developed improved method for making cuts to submarine hulls for maintenance and repairs. The Super-Saw cutting method is cost-effective and eliminates inhalation and fire hazards associated with traditional hull cutting methods. 

Successful OSH Program at NAS Keflavik, Iceland - NAS Keflavik has never had a serious OSHA violation or fine imposed by OSHA or Icelandic OSH authorities. The base has not had an occupational fatality in over 20 years and has not incurred any workers’ compensation costs since 1986. 

Non-Ionizing Radiation Safety and Health Programs - Crucial to the Navy’s defense mission are weapons, guidance, and communications systems that rely on lasers. The Navy’s Laser Safety Program protects airborne, land-based, and shipboard personnel from laser injuries. 

Electronic Management System Provides Access to MSDSs – NADEP North Island – Thanks to an electronic management system, NADEP North Island workers have 24-hour access to Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) from any personal computer in the depot. 

Automation of Shipboard Heat Stress Monitoring - The Navy’s latest technology for monitoring heat stress afloat, the Automated Heat Stress System WBGT meter saves up to 5,000 man hours on heat stress monitoring during six-month deployments in hot climates and in hot, humid work environments. 

Noise Abatement Design in Mine Hunter Class Ships - Hats off to Navy ship designers who successfully integrated noise control into two new minesweepers. They've made both the work environment and the home life better for sailors who live and work on these ships. 

Safety and Health Standards for Small Arms Firing Ranges – NEHC/NAVFAC - have partnered to develop standards for small arms firing ranges. The partners also conduct studies to identify suitable alternatives to hazardous components contained in small arms ammunition. 

Identification and Abatement of Airborne Fungal Growths Resolve Workers’ Health Complaints – NAVHOSP Rota - Workers in the same office building who reported similar health complaints alerted the Naval Hospital to the potential for fungus contamination. Learn the value of drawing on industrial hygiene expertise to identify fungus contamination and the importance of preventive maintenance on ventilation systems. 

Aircraft Hangar Ventilation Success Story – NFESC - obtained an interpretation on ventilation airflow rates in aircraft hangars. Using the interpretation for new hangar designs will save owner initial equipment cost savings of about $250,000.00 per hangar and $250,000.00 in life cycle cost savings. 

Pearl Harbor’s Traffic Safety Program - The PHNSY safety department has employed creative strategies to encourage safe driving habits. A No-Zone safety initiative was also implemented to eliminate mishaps due to blind spots on industrial vehicles and materials handling equipment. 

Exceptional Safety Program at NAS PAX River – Second consecutive year this OSH program is among the recipients of the Chief of Naval Operation’s Award for Achievement in Occupational Safety Ashore. The PAX River OSH staff has led an installation-wide effort to make safety a top priority.

NAVIMFAC PACNORWEST Respiratory Protection Program - Four hundred employees participate in the Naval Intermediate Maintenance Facility, Pacific Northwest highly successful respiratory protection program. 

ORM Improves Planning/Reduces Costs at NAES Lakehurst - NAES’s command ORM process improved communications and operational planning and reduced costs related to operational delays and/or equipment failures. Since inception of ORM program all operations successfully completed without personnel injuries, materials failures, or operational delays. 

New Workshop for Bowling Alley Mechanics Solves Noise Exposure Problems - NAVAIRSTA Rota – Converted trailer unit into bowling alley mechanics’ workshop and built enclosed "duty room" onto rear of bowling alley away from noise hazard of pin setter units. Bowling alley mechanics are notified of service calls by handheld radios enabling them to wear hearing protection when entering pin setter area. 

Abated Explosion and Noise Hazards During Jet Engine Testing – NAES Lakehurst constructed control tower located away from risk of explosion and exposure to noise. 

Noise Abatement DDG51 Class Laundry – Redesigned duct system eliminates noise hazard in laundry rooms and is being installed on all new construction DDG-51 class ships. 

MSC Lockout/Tagout Program – MSC established highly successful lockout/tagout program that allows workers to physically lockout machinery and equipment before performing maintenance/repairs.

Preventing Heat Stress Afloat – NAVSEASYSCOM – is evaluating an ice vest as means of maintaining body temperature in hot shipboard environments. Nine-pound vest contains flash frozen gel packs, which are changed every two hours.

SIMA, Norfolk’s Forklift Safety Program - SIMA Norfolk's excellent forklift safety program focuses on achieving safety while saving money. Read about the program that resulted in a $50,000.00 cost avoidance.

Abated Pier 172 Life Safety Hazard – NUWC Newport – Replaced damaged/ deteriorated portions of pier. 

Abated Waterfront Tower Fall Hazard – NWS Charleston – Installed guardrails on tower platforms. 

Abated Fall Hazard in Aircraft Maintenance Building – NAS North Island – Installed horizontal three-dimensional fall arrest systems.

Abated Aircraft Maintenance Fall Hazard – NAS Willow Grove - Designed and constructed fall arrest system in aircraft maintenance hangar.

Improved Wing Pin Removal at NASNI NADEP - NADEP employee developed invention for remote control of rivet guns. Saves about 20 hours per unit and over $29,000.00 annually. Resources conserved on prevention of vibration-related injuries and disorders not yet estimated.

Successful Ergonomic and Industrial Hygiene Interventions – NAVHOSP Rota - Dental prosthetic laboratory acquired workbenches with built in features to relieve ergonomic risk factors and exhaust ventilation ducts in the dental piece support pad that remove methyl methacrylate vapors from technicians’ breathing zones. 

Abated Cable Reel Handling Ergonomic Hazard – NUWC Newport - Mechanical cable reel transporter reduces risk of employee injuries. 

Abated Ergonomic Hazards During Eyeglass Manufacturing – NOSTRA Yorktown – Adjustable work stations and ergonomic matting in all production areas reduced risk of cumulative trauma disorders and repetitive motion injuries. 

Navy Corporate Ergonomics Plan – CNO – Chief of Naval Operations Office of Safety and Occupational Health’s pilot ergonomics program demonstrated the value of redesigning work stations and retraining workers in reducing risk of repetitive motion injuries and cumulative trauma disorders at Navy work sites. 

Improved Ergonomic Cable Pulling Method – NNSY - Engineered a mechanically assisted cable pulling process that reduces potential for personnel injuries and requires less time and effort. Tests aboard USS SAIPAN and USS NASSAU show potential reduction in cable pulling time and costs up to 50% with no personnel injuries. 

Abated Electrical Transformer Hazards – NAVSTA Newport – Replaced aging electrical equipment. 

Abated Electrical Hazards in Under Pier Vaults – PWC Norfolk – Relocating electrical equipment to top of pier minimized exposure to dampness and corrosion. 

Abated Life Safety Hazard, Flight Suit Storage – NAS Oceana – Flight suit storage facility with fire-rated doors opening in direction of travel and equipped with panic hardware and NFPA-approved exit signs.

Abated Crane Tipping Hazard – Multiple Navy Sites - Load moment indicators (LMIs) or load indicating devices (LIDs) installed on cranes.

Abated Spray Painting and Abrasive Blasting Exposure Hazard – SIMA Ingleside - Provided a central facility for both painting and blasting operations equipped with adequate ventilation system. Provided change facilities to prevent employee exposure to hazmat and/or contamination of surrounding areas. 

Formaldehyde Levels in Mortuaries – NAVHOSP Rota Spain – Specialized autopsy/embalming tables and an increase in the number of air changes per hour in autopsy room’s ventilation system reduced formaldehyde vapor exposures. 

Safety Awards Program at SIMA Mayport - From 1997 to 1999, SIMA Mayport recorded a 47% reduction in on-duty mishaps and a 50% decrease in lost workdays. This trend is attributed at least in part to SIMA’s Quarterly Safety Awards Program. 

Abated Asbestos Hazard – NAS Joint Reserve Base New Orleans – Asbestos in ceiling tiles replaced with non-hazardous substitute.  

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