Region 10 News Release: 09-990-SEA (09-139)
Sept. 3, 2009
Contact: Jeannine Lupton
Phone: 206-553-7620

Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility in Bremerton, Wash., receives OSHA's highest safety recognition

SEATTLE -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will recognize the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility in Bremerton, Wash., for its continued excellence in worker health and safety.

At a ceremony to be held at the plant Sept. 8, OSHA will recognize the facility for again achieving the "VPP star," the highest level in OSHA's Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP). The facility has been in the VPP since January 2006.

"The Puget Sound naval shipyard continues to demonstrate that a systematic approach to safety involving labor and management working together in a cooperative manner can be extremely successful," said Richard S. Terrill, OSHA's regional administrator. "Adopting a cooperative approach has significantly reduced hazards and consequently reduced injuries."

The mission of the shipyard is to perform reactor servicing, ship overhaul, ship repair and alteration to U.S. naval surface ships and submarines. The shipyard also recycles nuclear submarines and surface ships for the Navy. Shipyard work is done primarily in the Pacific Northwest but also includes work at off yard sites, such as in San Diego, Calif.; Mayport, Fla.; Kings Bay, Ga.; Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and abroad.

There are currently about 9,400 employees and 2,500 contract workers on site. Unions representing workers include the Bremerton Metal Trades Council International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers.

OSHA's VPP recognizes and promotes effective workplace safety and health management. Management, labor and OSHA establish a cooperative relationship at a worksite that has implemented strong safety and health systems. In order to qualify for VPP status, a site must meet or exceed all OSHA regulatory standards and submit to an OSHA review of its programs.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, OSHA's role is to promote safe and healthful working conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, outreach and education. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

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