March 26, 1999

SPACE CENTERRoundupVOL. 38, NO. 5 LY N D O N B . J O H N S O N S P A C E C E N T E R , H O U S T O N , T E X A S

Robot, geologist

perform tests for

future explorations.

Page 3

Stellar employees receive Rotary awardsKraft accepts National Space Trophy

FORMER JSC DIRECTORDr. Christopher Kraft Jr., who wasinstrumental in overseeing thisnation’s human space flight

programs, received the National SpaceTrophy at a March 12 black-tie celebrationat Space Center Houston.

SeveralJSC employ-ees receivedStellarAwards fromthe non-profitRotaryNationalAward forSpaceAchievementFoundation,established in1985 by theSpace CenterRotary Club to recognize individuals whohave made outstanding achievements inspace, creating a greater public awarenessof the benefits of space exploration.

Kraft was cited for his “unique contribu-tions as a key architect of the nation’sspace program, specifically in the areas ofleading, planning, and operational controlof manned space programs in the Mercury,Gemini, Apollo, Skylab, Apollo-SoyuzTest Project and the space shuttle.”

Veteran journalist WalterCronkite received theorganization’s pres-tigious CoronaAward in recog-nition of hisdistinguishedlifetime ofachievement inthe field ofspace.

and development for the InternationalSpace Station assembly and maintenanceactivities.

JSC’s Donna Fender, project managerfor the TransHab Project, received aStellar Award for her team leadership,persistence, and determination to

demonstrate the feasibility of theTransHab inflatable vehicle concept.

JSC’s Linda Bromley, project managerfor the International Space Station EarlyCommunications System, was honoredwith a Stellar Award for her outstandingleadership and management of this criticalspace station project.

Flight Surgeon Dr. Phil Stepaniakearned a Stellar Award for his pioneeringefforts in aerospace medicine and for hiswork on STS-95, which paved the way forfuture space flight geriatric research.

JSC’s Chris Hansen received a StellarAward for structural design and analysis ofspace flight hardware, including the spaceshuttle crew seat redesign, orbiter landinggear, and the International Space StationInterim Control Module.

And Dr. William Schneider received aStellar Award for his enduring leader-ship at JSC and for technical direction of

the Mars TransHab design and spaceshuttle meteoroid and orbital debrisdamage assessment.

Also receiving Stellar Awards were Dr.Steven Huybrechts of the U.S. Air ForceResearch Laboratory, for his work in thedevelopment of revolutionary space

structuresthat willgreatlyreduce costand enhancethe capabilityof futurelaunch ofspacesystems;TomHoffman ofThiokol, forexceptionaltechnical

leadership in propellant, structural, andsafety-related issues for the space shuttlesolid rocket motors; Tom Dougherty ofLockheed Martin, for managing the NASADiscovery Lunar Prospector team, whichaccomplished a highly successful missionto the moon for science data collection;Earl Eastabrooks of United Space Alliance,

for providing critical Mission ControlCenter software verification, integratedtraining, and valuable support to theSimulation Supervisor Office; and PaulLedoux of Boeing, for his expertise inmaterial and process engineering and formanagerial support of nearly all majorNASA programs since Apollo.

Four teams received Stellar Awards:JSC’s TransHab Development team, theMotorola Iridium System team, the UnitedStates Air Force Space Maneuver Vehicleteam, and the Thiokol Solar ThermalPropulsion team.■

Rainforest:

a wet and wild

adventure.

Page 4

Dr. Phil Stepaniak Chris Hansen

Jay Greene

Dr. William Schneider

Cronkite came to be regarded as anauthority on America’s space program,reporting on the first two decades of thiscountry’s manned space missions fromAlan Shepard’s first flight in 1961, andthe Apollo 11 moon landing in 1969, tothe experimental flights of the space

shuttle Enterprise in July 1977 and thefall of Skylab in July 1979.

Other award recipients included JSC’sJay Greene who received a Stellar Awardfor his managerial excellence during theplanning, development, and operation ofhardware and software for the Interna-tional Space Station.

JSC Flight Director John Curry washonored for his outstanding initiative inestablishing the Houston Support Groupat the Russian Mission Control Center inMoscow.

Former Astro-naut GregoryHarbaugh,now managerof the EVAProjectsOffice, earned

a Stellar Awardfor his leader-

ship of theextra-vehicularactivityplanning

Greg Harbaugh Linda BromleyJohn Curry Donna Fender

JSC Photo S99-04917 by Nick Nelms

Former JSC Director Dr. Christopher Kraft, left, and veteran journalist Walter Cronkiteenjoy the limelight at the gala dinner where they received top awards from the RotaryNational Award for Space Achievement Foundation. Kraft received the organization’sNational Space Trophy, while Cronkite was honored with the Corona Award.

2 March 26, 1999 SSPPAACCEE CCEENNTTEERR Roundup

STS-95 crew,station teamto receiveawardsFOR THE FIRST TIME a single

organization – NASA – will layclaim to two of the space industry’s

top awards in the same year. The DouglasMorrow Public Outreach Award and theUnited States Space Foundation SpaceAchievement Award will be presented toseparate NASA teams April 5 duringceremonies marking the opening of the15th National Space Symposium.

Each year the Morrow Award ispresented to an individual, organizationor team judged to have made the singlemost significant contribution to publicunderstanding and awareness of U.S.space endeavors – civil, commercial ornational security. This year’s recipient isthe crew of shuttle mission STS-95.

The return to flight of space pioneerSen. John Glenn (D-Ohio), Spain’s firstastronaut Pedro Duque and a number ofunique mission elements combined tofocus the most significant worldwidemedia and public attention on space inrecent memory.

The United States Space FoundationSpace Achievement Award, presentedannually to an individual, team ororganization for lifetime achievement or alandmark technical accomplishment, willgo to the NASA-Boeing InternationalSpace Station team.

The joining together in space of thefirst orbital station elements signaled thebeginning of a new era in human spaceflight and the culmination of more than adecade of challenging engineering efforton the ground.

Widely regarded as one of the premierannual space policy and programs forumsanywhere in the world, the NationalSpace Symposium runs April 5-8.Update speaker and program information,and convenient on-line registration can befound at http://www.spacesymposium.org or call the Space Foundation toll freeat (800) 691-4000.■

Women conquering the futureBy Carla Burnett

THE PROMINENT WOMEN pictured at leftare proud to be part of NASA’s history. Theyare among the 67 women who have completed

JSC’s Office Education Program, also known as theStudent Programs for Achievements in Careers andEducation, and/or the Worker-Trainee OpportunityProgram.

Desire and perseverance were contributing factorsin helping these women successfully complete thesecritical foundation programs. According to SPACE

experts Nancy Garrick ofJSC and Barbara Rumbaughof Universities SpaceResearch Association,“SPACE provides clericaljob opportunities for youthsfrom communitiessurrounding JSC. Studentswork at JSC part-time during

vacation periods and full-time in the summer. Theselection criteria include TAAS scores, grade pointaverages, attendance, basic office skills, and economicneed. This USRA-administered program affords thestudents valuable life and work experience along witheconomic support to stay in school and graduate.”

According to Garrick, “The WTO Program is aone-year training program designed to provide low-skilled clerical employees with the opportunity tobecome productive office clerks through classroomand on-the-job training. Historically, this program

has served as the primary avenue for retaining ourhigher quality OE students. The last class of studentsgraduated in 1994.”

Many former OE and WTO women havesuccessfully pursued educational and promotionalopportunities after completing these outstandingprograms.

“I was very fortunate to take part in the OfficeEducation Program,” says Karla Smith. “In my job as atransportation specialist, I am responsible forcoordinating travel to Russia for NASA civil servantsand contractor employees needing to support trainingactivities, meetings, reviews, and tests in Moscowand/or Star City, Russia. As a result of the OfficeEducation Program, I have become more confident inmyself, which is saying a great deal for someone whowas extremely shy. Without this program, I would notbe where I am today. I am very thankful to have takenpart in such a wonderful program.”

Mirella Barron shares some of her accomplishmentssince completing the OE and WTO programs. “Myfirst day at JSC was June 18, 1990, and I was assignedas a summer aid to the Aircraft Systems QualityAssurance Branch. I continued as an OE student andthen completed the WTO Program. These programsgave me the motivation and the skills to grow withinour NASA environment. I received the Space FlightAwareness Award in May 1996 and the MarilynBockting Award in July 1997.”

We salute all the prominent and prestigiouswomen of JSC and encourage them to continueconquering the future for centuries to come.■

Shown, from left, front,are: Nilda Reyes, IsabelElizondo, ClaudiaPruneda, Terri Moran,Carla Burnett; back:Dera Yockov, JenniferJones, Tracy Hodges-Jenkins, Mirella Barron, Danita Thomas.

JSC Photo S99-02949 by Benny Benavides

Employees earn Space Act Awards

L AST YEAR, NASA Headquarters recognized the work of anumber of JSC employees with Space Act monetaryawards. The awards were presented during a recent

ceremony. The following is a list of recipients.

TECH BRIEF AWARDS ($150)Robert O. Shelton♦ Pattern Interpretation and Recognition Application Toolkit Environment ♦ Internet Knowledge Robot♦ SIMON-School Internet Manager Over Networks

Robert L. Shuler Jr.♦ High Speed Binary Image Correlator♦ SEV Tolerant Flip Flops♦ Optimized LaPlacian of Gaussian Computation

George A. SalazarDena S. Haynes♦ Compact Enclosure for Ruggized PC-Based Embedded Systems

G. Dickey Arndt♦ Locating Concealed Objects Using Spectral Signatures

Thomas J. Goodwin♦ Production of 1-25diOH Vitamin D3, Erythropoietin and Other Products

Richard L. Sauer♦ Solid Phase Extraction of Polar Compounds in Water

William C. SchneiderChin H. LinHoracio M. De La FuenteGregg A. EdeenJames D. LesterLinda F. HessKriss J. KennedyRichard H. Malecki♦ Advanced Structural/Inflatable Hybrid Spacecraft Habitation Module

Duane L. Pierson♦ Nucleic Acid Stability Solution ♦ Low Voltage Plate Spreader♦ Fungal Growth Chamber

Dennis R. Morrison♦ In Situ Activation of Microcapsules♦ Protein Crystal Encapsulation Process♦ Microencapsulation and Electrostatic Processing Device♦ Low-Shear Microencapsulation & Electrostatic Coating Process♦ Externally Triggered Microcapsules

Robert G. BrownYuan-Chyau ChangSteven L. Rickman♦ Passive Radiative Cooler for Space Applications

Thomas A. Sullivan♦ Fuels Containing Methane or Natural Gas in Solution and Methods

for their Use

Joseph J. Kosmo Jr.♦ Simulated Planetary Landscapes for use in Laboratories

Gautam D. Badhwar♦ Small Active Radiation Monitor

Daniel Feeback♦ Centrifuge-Operated Slide Staining Technology

Jeanne L. CrewsEric L. Christiansen♦ Technique for Enhancing the Protection Capability of Simple Aluminum

Meteroid/Orbital Shield

PATENT APPLICATION AWARDS ($250)Duane L. Pierson♦ Neutrophil Screening Assay Using Two Color Flow Cytometry

Richard L. Sauer♦ Ammonia Monitor

Carl W. HohmannMaureen L. DuttonDouglas W. Harrington♦ Automated Propellant Blending

G. Dickey Arndt♦ Proximate Object Locating and Tracking System

Dennis R. Morrison♦ In Situ Activation of Microcapsules♦ Microencapsulated Bioactive Agents♦ Microencapsulation and Electrostatic Processing Device♦ Microencapsulation and Electrostatic Processing Method♦ Externally Triggered Microcapsules

G. Dickey ArndtPatrick W. Fink♦ Endothelium Preserving Microwave Treatment for Atherosclerosis

Thomas J. Goodwin♦ Production of Functional Proteins: Balance of Shear Stress and Gravity

SPACE ACT BOARD AWARDSKelley J. CyrRichard D. Whitlock♦ Online Cost Models ($1,000)

Anthony D. GriffithHuyen-Anh V. Ly♦ High Volume Data Management ($500)

Craig A. Davidson♦ Ground Isolation Circuit for Isolating a Transmission Line

from Ground Interference ($500)

HONORABLE MENTION –SOFTWARE OF THE YEAR AWARDReynaldo J. Gomez♦ Overset Tools for CFD Analysis ($600)

March 26, 1999 3SSPPAACCEE CCEENNTTEERR Roundup

NASA RECENTLY TESTED a remotely operated planetary roverand an advanced prototype spacesuit in

southern California to see how robots andhumans might someday work best together toexplore other planets.

A team of scientists and engineers fromJSC and Ames Research Center conductedthe first field test involving the Russian-builtMarsokhod and a geologist wearing a NASAadvanced prototype spacesuit February 22-25. Dubbed the Astronaut-Rover Interactionfor Planetary Surface Exploration (ASRO)experiment, the four-day primary sciencemission was conducted in the Mojave Desert,east of Los Angeles; a public demonstrationwas held on February 27.

JSC provided the spacesuit, visual-tracking software, and associated humanspace exploration expertise, while the roveractivity was led by Ames. Together, the teamwas able to take the first steps in developing

a synergistic relationship between the twotypes of explorers.

“NASA envisions future planetary surfacespace walks to be a cooperative effort, withrobots assisting humans to increaseproductivity during these time-limitedexcursions away from the base station,” saidRobert Yowell of the Extravehicular ActivityProjects Office at JSC.

The ASRO Project should improve thesafety and performance of human surfaceoperations, and therefore help minimize thecost of human planetary missions.Specifically, the team hopes to learn how therover and the astronauts can collaborate invarious operational tasks, leading torecommendations for improving the designsof future advanced spacesuits and rovers.

“The test is part of a continuing NASAeffort to better identify the challenges facingfuture human explorers of other worlds, andthe technologies that will be needed to meetthose challenges,”

explained Joyce Carpenter, deputy managerof the JSC Exploration Office. “While we arein the early stages of learning how to exploreother planets, NASA has not identified anyspecific human missions beyond Earth’sorbit.”

NASA acquired the Marsokhod roverfrom Russia and equipped it with improvedavionics, computers and scienceinstruments. It features sixtitanium wheels, arobotic arm to pickup soil samplesand stereo videocamerasmounted on apan-and-tiltplatform totransmit liveimages of thefield test via a

Robotic rover, spacesuited geologist work together

children’s poster contest. Children between the ages of 2 and 16 can enter an original poster demonstrating theEarth Day theme. Winners will be selected in four agecategories. The winning posters will be displayed inselected lobbies the week before Earth Day. For completeposter contest rules, contact Cindi Watson at x37242 orTerri Blackwelder at x37247 or look for the Earth Dayhomepage on the Center Operations homepage early in April.

JSC civil servant and contractor employees and familiesare invited to join other local federal agencies in the TexasLand Board’s Texas beach cleanup on April 24 from 8:30 a.m. - noon at Galveston Island. Anyone interested inhelping clean up a couple of miles of Galveston Beach canmeet at the Sea-Arama parking lot in Galveston at 8:30 a.m. Look for the U.S. Environmental ProtectionAgency reserved beach area between 89th Street and WestBeach. A free hot dog lunch will be provided or bring apicnic lunch and join other federal employees on the beachfor lunch and volleyball. Look for more information on theEarth Day homepage or call Ramone Harper at 281/983-2235.

For more information on Earth Day, call Jo Kines at x33218. ■

JSC HAS SELECTED Honeywell Inc.to survey and install energy-savingheating, ventilation, air-conditioning,

and lighting systems in 147 buildings acrossthe center. The contract was awardedthrough a U.S. Department of EnergySavings Performance Contract (SuperESPC) delivery order and is valued atapproximately $43 million over its 23-yearterm. It is the largest delivery order to dateagainst any DOE Super ESPC.

Through a procurement process calledenergy-saving performance contracting,Honeywell will replace existing energy

systems with new equipment and cutting-edge energy management technology. Thecost of the replacement systems, about $20million, will be paid for by the savingsreaped from the new, more energy-efficient systems. No additional tax dollarswill be spent.

Phase one of this multiphase performancecontract includes installing energy-efficientlighting and compressed air systems,reducing water consumption and improvingair-conditioning controls at JSC, the SonnyCarter Training Facility, and Ellington Field.Installation of the user-friendly Honeywell

Excel Facility Integrator System, an EnergyManagement Control System, will enhanceJSC’s ability to cost-effectively monitor andmanage the site environment, and therebyimprove comfort for JSC personnel.

The lighting retrofit began in Bldg. 45the week of March 8 and lighting work inBldg. 1 will start the first week of April.Installation of the remaining energy-savingequipment was scheduled for March 22.There will be an overall 15-monthinstallation period for this project.

Secretary of Energy Bill Richardsonsummed up the energy-saving performance

WORLDWIDE EARTH DAY is just around thecorner, and JSC is in the planning stages of acelebration for employees. The 1999 JSC Earth

Day event will be celebrated April 22 with exhibits at theGilruth Center and tours of the newly planted“conservationscape” on the south side of Bldg. 30. Thetheme of this year’s event is “Earth, Wind and Air:Preserving the Future.”

The exhibits at the Gilruth will be open from 10 a.m.- 1:30 p.m. Exhibitors will answer questions about earth

friendly options forgardening, landscaping,recycling, wildlife andlots of other topics. Asusual there will be lotsof giveaways and doorprizes. Astronauts will

be available to sign autographs from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.Experts from Clean Water for Armand Bayou will be

giving tours of the conservationscape on the hour from10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Everyone who takes the tour will begiven a bedding plant similar to those planted at Bldg. 30, while supplies last.

To help advertise JSC’s Earth Day 1999 celebration,the Earth Day Planning Committee is sponsoring a

New energy-saving systems to be installed at JSCcontract process: “The private sector doesthe work, the federal manager gets a smallerenergy bill, and we all get enhanced energysecurity and a cleaner environment.”

Super ESPCs are a product of the U.S.Department of Energy’s Federal EnergyManagement Program, which offerstechnical and contractual assistance togovernment agencies that choose renewableenergy and more efficient buildingtechnologies to meet legislative mandates forlower energy consumption and reducedgreenhouse gas emissions.■

satellite back to scientists at Ames. The 165-pound rover is three feet wide and 4.5 feetlong, with a mast that extends about 4.5 feethigh to hold the cameras.

The spacesuit is constructed primarily offabric, with ball bearings that allow thewearer to move more easily when the suit isinflated to 3.75 pounds per square inch abovethe local pressure, as it would be on the

Moon or Mars. A self-contained liquid airbackpack provideslife support, cool-ing, communica-

tions and power.The suit andbackpack have a

weight of about150 pounds onEarth. ■

JSC to celebrate

Earth Day

JSC Photo S99-3981 by Mark Sowa

JSC geologist Dean Eppler wears aspacesuit during the test. The Marsokhodserved as a scout and videographer,transmitting advance images of the siteand the geologist’s activities back toAmes and JSC.

4 March 26, 1999 SSPPAACCEE CCEENNTTEERR Roundup

PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDWEBSTER, TXPermit No. G27

The Roundup is anofficial publication of theNational Aeronautics andSpace Administration,Johnson Space Center,Houston, Texas, and is

published by the Public Affairs Office for all space center employees. The Roundup office is in Bldg. 2, Rm. 181. The mailcode is AP3. The main telephone number is x38648, and the fax is x32000. Electronic mail messages may be directed to

Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .William Jeffs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .william.p.jeffs@jsc.nasa.gov

JSC Photo S99-03021 by James Blair

CHARLES “CHUCK” MATHEWS, manager of the Gemini Program at JSC in the mid-1960s, visited the center recently to participate in the JSC Oral History Project. While inHouston he was able to visit with many of his old friends in the JSC Chapter of the NASAAlumni League. Reminiscing about the engineering challenges of the Gemini spacecraftare, from left, NAL members John Kaltenbach, Chester Vaughan, chair of the HoustonNAL Chapter, Mathews (holding Gemini model), Guy Thibodaux, and Norman Chaffee.

Space Center Houstonextends courtesy visitsfor retireesCivil service retirees from NASA are now eligible for free visits to Space Center Houston (for themselves only). At your next visit to SCHplease identify yourself and display your retiree badge to the SCH staff, andthey will add a bar-code strip to the back of the badge, permitting youunlimited free visits to SCH.

21st annual FODChili Cookoff set

JSC WILL HOST its 21st annualFOD Chili Cookoff from 9 a.m.-6p.m. May 1 at the Gilruth

Recreation Center picnic area.Sixty-two teams from JSC, NASA

contractors and related organizationshave signed up for the event, accordingto cookoff co-chair Sandy Griffin.Trophies will be awarded for the bestchili, people’s choice andshowmanship. Each team is required tocook at least four gallons of chili. Thefee for each team is $45. Call Griffin at483-1056 to sign up, or e-mailsandra.griffin1@jsc.nasa.gov. Thedeadline for team sign-up is April 16.

Tickets cost $3 through April 23and $4 after that date and during theday of the cookoff. Children under 3are admitted free. Tickets includeadmission, chili tasting, beverages, livebands, skits, games and otherfestivities. Tickets may be purchasedthrough team captains or at theExchange Stores in Bldgs. 3 and 11starting April 12.

Team captains will meet in lateMarch to pick up cookoff details andinstructions. Captains also areencouraged to attend the April 21chili clinic at the Gilruth RecreationCenter picnic area at 4:30 p.m.,featuring a champion chili cookoffwinner from the Chili Cookoff WorldChampionships in Terlingua,Texas.■

H O U S T O N©1989

Former Gemini manager visits JSC

MORE THAN 5,300 STUDENTSconverged on the Johnson SpaceCenter during the first two weeks

of March to participate in the JASON XProject in the Teague Auditorium,sponsored by JSC’s Education andCommunity Support Branch.

Area students and teachers participatedin the live telepresence broadcasts titled“Rainforest: A Wet and Wild Adventure.”JSC served as

a primary interactive network site for thetelecasts.

The JASON Project is a year-roundscientific expedition designed to excitestudents in science and technology. It wasfounded in 1989 by Dr. Robert Ballard,after his discovery of the R.M.S. Titanic.This year’s JASON X Project is designedto study flora and fauna in Peru’s Amazonrainforest.

Each year, several students and teachersare selected to accompany Ballard on theJASON Project expedition as argonauts.

These specialambassadorshelp the

Students, teachers participate in wet, wild adventurescientists on site with their research andexplain ongoing activities to thetelepresence audience.

This year, Deer Park IndependentSchool District student argonaut RosaRobledo left Houston February 22 on herway to the Peruvian rainforest. On March2, all 625 students and teachers from herschool, Deepwater Middle School, werein attendance in the Teague for theJASON broadcast.

From oceans to rainforests, fromvolcanoes to outerspace, the JASONProject explores Earth in search of answersto questions such as “What are the Earth’sdynamic systems?” to “How do thesesystems affect life on Earth?” to “Whattechnologies do we use to study thesesystems and why?” Each year, JASONmounts a major scientific expedition thatexamines one or more of Earth’s physicalsystems. Teams of teachers and studentsvisit JSC annually as part of their“expedition.”

The JASON Project XI expedition,“Going to Extremes,” will feature theInternational Space Station and willoriginate from JSC during early March 2000.■

JSC Photo S99-03632 by Benny Benavides

Students attending the JASON ProjectX live broadcasts in JSC’s TeagueAuditorium got an up close andpersonal look at hissing cockroaches.Insects and several examples of floraand fauna found in the Earth’srainforests were exhibited. Studentsstudied the rainforests and conductedsome of the same experiments shownin the live programs.

By Dee Ann Haney

THE 1999 REGION VI Voluntary Pro-tection Programs Participants Associa-tion annual conference was held March

1-3 in Austin. The theme of the conferencewas “‘Capitolizing’ on the Future.” RegionVI is comprised of Texas, New Mexico,Louisiana, Arkansas, and Oklahoma.

About 70 JSC civil servants and 90contractor employees attended theconference including JSC team membersTim DeLong, Brown and Root; Dee AnnHaney, Lockheed Martin; Sonia Fontenot,SPACEHAB; Elmer “Bubba” Johnson,NA; Julie Strawn, Kelsey Seybold andPaul Savage, United Space Alliance.

Guest speakers for the opening generalsession included John Miles of OSHA,Pete DeLeeuw, CEO, Sterling Chemicals,and Joe Mundy, president and chairman ofThe Mundy Companies.

Workshops were offered in theafternoon. General sessions werestructured for first-time conferenceattendees and in many cases dealt withspecific OSHA regulations. Generalsessions included “Confined Space Entry,”“Hazard Recognition,” “Innovative SafetyMeetings,” and “Respiratory Protection.”Advanced sessions generally targeted sitesthat are trying to maintain viable VPPprograms. Advanced sessions included“Maintaining OSHA VPP” and“Employee Participation.”

Featured speakers during the next day’sgeneral session included former HoustonOilers’ Head Coach Bum Phillips andformer quarterback Dan Pastorini; andPaula White of OSHA. Workshop sessionswere offered in the afternoon. Ahospitality reception held that eveninggave everyone an opportunity to meet andinteract with OSHA representatives andemployees from other VPP certified sites.

March 3 included one final workshopsession. The closing session featured areport from Lee Ann Elliot, executivedirector, national VPPPA. The guestspeaker was Cactus Pryor.

I know there are many of you whowonder why we at JSC need to achieveVPP and what is in it for you. First, there isa direct correlation between a site initiatingand achieving VPP, and a drop in accidents/injuries. Since 1985, when combinedmeasurements were first used to aggregatethe VPP results in terms of individualindustry averages, lost workday case rateshave stayed more than 50 percent below theindustry averages as a group. This isimportant because we want all employeesto go home from work in the samecondition in which they arrived. Anotherkey benefit of these conferences is thechance to work with and learn from otherVPP participants through the VPPPA.Programs, policies, and procedures areavailable by mentoring with other sites thathave already achieved VPP.■

Employees empowered for safety:Civil servants, contractor employeesattend VPP conference