OSHA recognizes U.S. Naval Hospital Naples as Navy OCONUS Voluntary Protection Program “Star” Site

Photo By Lt.Cmdr. Willie R Barksdale | Staff and leadership from U.S. Naval Hospital Naples and the DoD Safety Management Center of Excellence pose for a picture after the hospital received OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Program Star recognition. USNH Naples is the largest naval hospital in Europe and is comprised of the hospital in Gricignano, Branch Health Clinic Capodichino, and a detachment at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Landstuhl, Germany. USNH Naples' staff serves a diverse population of active duty, family members, NATO members, retirees and several other patients based on international collaborations and the status of forces agreement.  

NAPLES, ITALY

06.16.2017

Story by Lt.Cmdr. Willie R Barksdale 

U.S. Naval Hospital Naples

OSHA recognizes U.S. Naval Hospital Naples as Navy OCONUS Voluntary Protection Program “Star” Site
By Lt. Cmdr. Willie Barksdale, U.S. Naval Hospital Naples Public Affairs

U.S. Naval Hospital Naples achieved Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Voluntary Protection Program “Star” recognition from the DoD Safety Management Center of Excellence during an onsite visit to the hospital 22-25 May 2017.

OSHA’s VPP recognizes workplaces that maintain effective safety and health management systems and maintain injury and illness rates below national Bureau of Labor Statistics averages for their respective industries.

“Our involvement in this program confirms our commitment to keeping our patients and staff safe, healthy and on the job,” said Capt. Steven Blivin, USNH Naples commanding officer. “Ensuring we maintain this Star status if further proof of how we provide the best, world class care to our patients, keeping warfighters in the fight.”

USNH Naples is the fourth Navy OCONUS facility to achieve this outstanding distinction. The VPP Star recognizes the command's safety programs among the best in the world.

During the presentation, Chris Chaffin, Safety Management System Implementation team lead, remarked on the many positive impressions he and his team noticed during the assessment. “Of all the facilities surveyed, U.S. Naval Hospital Naples was the first facility having more Star “points” than opportunities for improvements. This says great things about the culture of safety displayed and practiced by your team. Your entire team should be proud and you should celebrate your successes.”

VPP’s criteria include four areas: Hazard prevention and control; worksite analysis; training; and management commitment and worker involvement. DoD workplaces implementing VPP first ensure performance-based criteria for managed safety and health systems are achieved and then apply for assessment of their systems against these criteria.

OSHA and DoD verification of VPP Star status includes an application review and initial onsite evaluation by OSHA or DoD designated safety and health experts, annual self-assessments and periodic onsite reviews.

USNH Naples, Italy is the largest naval hospital in Europe. It is comprised of the main hospital in Gricignano, Branch Health Clinic Capodichino, and a detachment at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Landstuhl, Germany. USNH Naples' staff of 507 serves a diverse population of 9,300 active duty, family members, NATO members, retirees, and several other patients based on international collaborations and the status of forces agreement. To find out more or download the command's mobile app, visit http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/Napoli.

• Date Taken: 06.16.2017
• Date Posted: 06.16.2017 04:31
• Story ID: 238154
• Location: NAPLES, IT