BAE Systems’ US shipyards safety recognised
The prestigious Signal Mutual Industry Safety Leadership award was presented to BAE Systems, one of only five shipyard companies to receive it, during the industry group’s annual conference in Salt Lake City.
In presenting the award, Signal Mutual noted that BAE Systems had a noteworthy safety culture because of the leadership's clear visibility and engagement with employees. Signal Mutual also noted that BAE Systems’ focus on safety performance in its shipyards resulted in a low frequency rate of claims compared to industry standards, no excessive loss cases, and no fatalities for more than two years.
Image courtesy BAE Systems
BAE Systems Ship Repair VP and GM Paul Smith and SHE Director Noushin Sprossel received an Industry Safety Leadership Award from Signal Mutual as one of five US shipyard companies to be recognised for superior safety performance last year.
Paul Smith, vice president and general manager of BAE Systems Ship Repair, said: “Shipyards can be hazardous. However, our leaders’ commitment to people and the fact that our employees are empowered to declare a 'Stop Work' when they see something out of order are both critical to ensuring that our team mates complete their work and return home safely every day.
“The real benefit of this award is the pride it instills within us as industry leaders. It inspires us to continue protecting each other and setting high standards for those who work alongside of us. Being safe is a mindset that is sharable.”
BAE Systems employs nearly 3,000 people in three shipyards in California, Florida, and Virginia. When considering Navy personnel, commercial vessel owners, subcontractors, vendors and visitors that come onsite, BAE Systems shipyards must keep two to three times as many people safe each day.
“It is an absolute privilege to support a leadership culture where everyone is empowered and trusted to be a Safety Health and Environmental (SHE) leader,” said Noushin Sprossel, SHE director for BAE Systems Ship Repair. “Our tremendous progress towards achieving SHE excellence and being recognised for our performance speaks to our collegiality and our shared top core values: the safety and health of our workforce.”
Signal Mutual is an organisation that provides worker’s compensation services to about 300 high-performing organisations in the maritime industry, including nearly 100 shipyard companies.
