SOC at NNSS (Nevada National Security Site) received a Superior Star Award from the Department of Energy (DOE) for the team's commitment to our core values, and the number one value of safety, by maintaining a safe and healthy work environment.
Each year during the DOE-Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Pre-conference, at the Annual National Voluntary Protection Program Participants Association (VPPPA) Conference, the Department of Energy presents awards to the sites that demonstrate the achievement of safety goals, as well as significant mentoring and community outreach efforts. SOC was officially awarded the VPP Superior Star during the DOE-VPP Pre-conference held in New Orleans on August 26th, 2019.
The award level is determined as follows:
- Superior Star: "Superior Star" sites should approach a recordable incident injury rate that is 50 percent better than the average of other U.S. businesses in the same industry code;
- Star of Excellence: "Star of Excellence" sites should approach a recordable incident injury rate that is 75 percent better than the average of other U.S. businesses in the same industry code; or
- Legacy of Stars: Those sites that would have achieved the "Star of Excellence" for a fourth consecutive year may be awarded the "Legacy of Stars" in lieu of a fourth "Star of Excellence". However, DOE shall only award the Legacy of Stars if it has performed a triennial review in one of those 4 years.
"Since we (SOC) were awarded the NNSS Security Contract in March 2018, we have made a commitment to ensure a safe and healthy work environment and minimize injuries, so employees can return home to their families without injuries. Additionally, one of SOC's four Core Value is Safety and it reads: Safety is our number one value. It is about creating a work environment that provides for the well-being of our employees, our customers and the public – and encourages safe behavior in all situations. And when potential injury trends are recognized, the company brings together a team of employees that are charged with determining effective ways to mitigate or minimize the injury that results from a given task.
In short, safety should never be a priority because priorities change based on the situation. Safety is what we believe."
Bobby R. McGregor Jr.
Environment, Safety & Health Manager
NNSS
