OSHA RECOGNIZES NEWPORT NEWS INDUSTRIAL AT HII FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH ACHIEVEMENT

NEWPORT NEWS, Va., Dec. 21, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE:HII) announced today that Newport News Industrial (NNI), part of HII’s newly formed Technical Solutions division, has been awarded the SHARP (Safety and Health Recognition Program) certification from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

NNI began on-site consultations with the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry in 2013 to acquire the SHARP certification. The certification recognizes small business employers who have used OSHA’s on-site consultation program services run by state grantees and operate an exemplary injury and prevention program.

“The safety of our employees is our number one priority, so receiving the SHARP certification is a testament to this commitment,” said NNI Vice President Steve Napiecek. “The consultation process allowed us to review and improve our processes and facilities and involved culture changes and adaptation from all employees. I want to thank our employees for their continued commitment to safety as we move forward with this certification.”

NNI Vice President Steve Napiecek (left) and Pete Diakun, Newport News Shipbuilding’s vice president of energy programs, presented NNI’s SHARP (Safety and Health Recognition Program) certification from OSHA at a year-end meeting with employees. Photo by Matt Hildreth/HII

Based on consultation findings, the group implemented new procedures supporting contractor management, crane and rigging operations, abrasive blasting operations, and personal protective equipment requirements. It also improved the safety of its facilities, including additional lighting, marked walkways within fabrication areas, and improved ventilation and ergonomics within current work practices. Following subsequent inspections, including air sampling and noise monitoring, the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry consultants recommended that OSHA grant the group the SHARP certification.

NNI’s employees and facilities are now part of the nuclear and environmental group in HII’s Technical Solutions division, which comprises HII’s services capabilities, including training systems, logistics support, information technology, fleet maintenance and modernization, unmanned undersea systems, nuclear operations, nuclear quality fabrication, and oil and gas engineering.