Department of Defense Crowns FRCE as Top Safety Champion

Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) has once again gained recognition as the Department of Defense’s (DoD) safest organization by securing the 2024 Safety and Occupational Health Management System (SOHMS) Achievement Award in the organizational category.

Occupational Health and Safety Director Phillip Santee from the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness presented the award during the Voluntary Protection Programs Participants’ Association National Safety+ Conference in Aurora, Colorado, on August 26.

FRCE Executive Officer Capt. Randy Berti emphasized the importance of safety to the depot. “Safety is one of our core tenets, and having our hard work recognized by the DoD is an honor,” he stated. “Our culture of safety ensures everyone, from safety professionals to artisans, makes it home every night. This collective commitment distinguishes FRC East from other commands.”

The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel Readiness awards the SOHMS Achievement Awards annually to recognize commands and individuals exhibiting exceptional performance in implementing and sustaining safety and occupational health management systems aligned with DoD objectives.

Amy Morgan, Compliance and Quality Department Head, highlighted the numerous safety initiatives introduced by FRCE over the past two decades. “Improving safety in a complex industrial facility with over 4,000 civilians and contractors is no small task,” Morgan stated.

Initiatives at the depot included mandatory head and hand protection policies, aircraft-specific work stands, and upgraded fall protection equipment. Additionally, FRCE has implemented international standards-based safety doctrines and requires many employees to complete a 10-hour OSHA safety training course.

In 2004, FRCE adopted the Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series 18001 for systematic hazard assessment and risk control, later transitioning to ISO 45001 certification.

The command also adopted OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Program (VPP). In 2019, the U.S. Department of Labor honored FRCE as a VPP Star Site, and it attained VPP Star recertification in 2023.

Brian Snow, Industrial Hygiene Branch Head, reported significant improvements in workplace safety since adopting these systems. “In 2002, we had 835 OSHA-recordable mishaps; last year, we had 27,” Snow explained. “This year, we project even lower numbers.”

Sustained improvement extends beyond reducing accidents. “Protecting employees ensures higher quality, faster work,” said Morgan. Since 2016, FRCE has seen a 53% decrease in Federal Employees’ Compensation Program costs and fewer lost workdays due to injuries.

Besides the SOHMS Achievement Award, FRCE’s safety accolades abound. In 2024 alone, it received the Chief of Naval Operations Shore Safety Award in the Large Industrial Activity category and many other prestigious recognitions.

Snow stressed the SOHMS Achievement Award’s importance. “This award marks the highest honor we’ve received this year. Being the example for other commands to follow is impressive.”

“Winning this award again, especially within three years, confirms we are continually improving and sustaining our safety systems,” Morgan added.

Morgan also stressed the collective effort required. “This honor belongs to the entire command. It speaks volumes about our workforce’s commitment to safety.”

Located in North Carolina, FRCE is the largest maintenance, repair, overhaul, and technical services provider in the state, employing over 4,000 civilian, military, and contract workers with annual revenue exceeding $1 billion, serving as an integral part of the greater U.S. Navy and related commands.