Raising the flag: Ceremony marks Lab receiving VPP Merit-level recognition

Lab is largest site in complex to receive safety honor

Laboratory Director Michael Anastasio holds the VPP Merit-level recognition plaque with Roger Snyder, center, of the Los Alamos Site Office and Frank Russo, right, of the National Nuclear Security Administration at Thursday's ceremony. Photos by Sandra Valdez

August 20, 2010—"It's really about you and the workers being a part of it and making it happen," Frank Russo of the National Nuclear Security Administration headquarters office said Thursday during a flag-raising and recognition ceremony outside the Otowi and National Security Sciences buildings.

Officials from NNSA presented an official Voluntary Protection Program flag to Laboratory Director Michael Anastasio in acknowledgement of the Laboratory receiving Merit-level recognition from the Department of Energy as part of DOE's Voluntary Protection Program (VPP). Merit is a status for DOE contractors with highly effective safety programs who commit themselves to attain Star status within a five-year period. Star recognition is the highest achievement level and recognizes outstanding safety and health programs.

Russo said NNSA Administrator Tom D'Agostino is proud that the Lab achieved merit status, and added that he was "honored" to be a part of Thursday's celebration. Russo also urged employees to continue striving for safety improvement. "Keep that committment to employee involvement," he said. "Never become complacent."

Anastasio said: "This is all about [the] safety and security of ourselves and our coworkers. I'm really proud of all that we've done here. And he reminded employees that Merit-level recognition is only the first step in a journey toward achieving Star status. "This is not the end in itself. If we continue to have worker involvement with management, we're going to get there," he said.

To applause from employees gathered around the flag poles, Maintenance and Site Services Division employees Ferdinand Graphia, Chris Romero, and Joseph Sandoval, raised the VPP flag. Then, Institutional Worker Safety and Security Team chair Billy Turney thanked employees for their role in helping improve safety at the Lab before inviting everyone to WSST Fest in front of the NSSB.

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Maintenance and Site Services Division employees hold the official Voluntary Protection Program flag moments before it is raised during Thursday's recognition event outside the Otowi and National Security Science buildings.

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Director Michael Anastasio shares a laugh with Rubel Martinez of the Contractor Assurance Office and Sofia Saiz of Ethics and Audits during WSST Fest Thursday outside the National Security Sciences Building. Employees from Worker Safety and Security teams from across the Lab set up booths to display and share WSST success stories.