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    Staying Safe in the Shipyard

    Nimitz Safety Sailor Issues Respirator

    Photo By Seaman Michael Prusiecki | NAVAL BASE KITSAP-BREMERTON, Wash. (April 13, 2018) Airman Dontae Harris, from...... read more read more

    BREMERTON, WA, UNITED STATES

    04.11.2018

    Story by Seaman Michael Prusiecki 

    USS Nimitz (CVN 68)   

    Aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), Sailors assigned to safety department are easily recognizable by their green ball caps, or the green crosses on the back of their helmets. They are responsible for the training and execution of proper safety protocols for all operations at sea and in port. Consisting of 17 Sailors, safety department is accountable for 25 different safety programs on the ship.

    “Our job is to keep the ship safe. If everyone goes home alive with all of their fingers and toes, and there’s no substantial damage to any equipment, then we’re doing our job correctly,” said Damage Controlman 1st Class James Martinez, safety department leading petty officer, from Everett, Washington.

    While underway, safety department typically trains Sailors on various mitigations of personnel injuries, equipment mishaps, heat stress, dehydration, and flight deck hazards. However, their focus and efforts have changed since returning home.
    “Safety is a high priority while we’re in the shipyard. This is due to the fact the shipyard is among the most dangerous places to work in. It is estimated that at any point in time, the number and incidences of injuries and fatalities in a shipyard is at least twice that of the next most hazardous industry; construction,” said Cmdr. Jason Thompson, Nimitz safety officer, from Dallas.

    During the maintenance period, voids are being opened that have remained shut for years, leading to an exponential increase in the need for gas free certifications and fall protection. Safety department personnel find themselves constantly issuing personal protective equipment (PPE), performing walkthroughs and inspections, constant protocol meetings and, of course, enforcing frequently neglected regulations among personnel.

    “While we’re out at sea, the crew is usually pretty good at policing themselves in their specialized fields, but here in the yards it’s a different story. Due to the amount of industrial work, our respirator program triples in size,” said Martinez.


    Along with the Nimitz crew, the shipyard contractors also play a huge role in the ongoing safety procedures. Every morning, routine walk-throughs are conducted by Sailors from safety department and shipyard safety managers to audit violations and hazards involving both ships crew and shipyard personnel.

    “The collaboration with the contractors is imperative for us to effectively ensure things are running smoothly. It’s a complete joint effort to keep everyone as safe as possible,” Martinez said.




    With the vast amount of people on Nimitz, it would be nearly impossible for 17 Sailors to be the sole educators and informers regarding the concept of safety. To compensate, safety department assigns and tracks the completion of monthly departmental training, and appoints division safety petty officers in each department to conduct and submit reports of the mandated training requirements. They also coordinate command safety stand downs to put out imperative information and address issues that continuously need to be addressed.

    Whether Nimitz is conducting combat operations at sea, or in a dry dock for a prolonged maintenance period, safety department is there to establish the rules and regulations for a safe and effective environment oriented on bringing everyone home safe and sound.

    “Always wear your PPE, and keep your head on a swivel. A false sense of security can be killer, and anything can happen at a moments notice,” said Martinez, when asked for some final advice on shipboard safety.

    Nimitz is conducting a docking planned incremental availability at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility where the ship is receiving scheduled maintenance and upgrades.

    -USS NIMITZ (CVN 68)-

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 04.11.2018
    Date Posted: 04.13.2018 12:59
    Story ID: 272992
    Location: BREMERTON, WA, US

    Web Views: 372
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN