August
2008
From the Helm - 2
Performance - 3
New Hires - 3
DDG 1000 Unit 1420 - 4
The Ethics Corner - 4
DDG 1000 Test Support - 5
Performance Incentive - 5
CIGNA Well Aware - 6
BHW Reminds You - 6
Retirees - 6
No. 15 Crane Crew - 7
From the Fleet - 8
BIW HazMat Team - 9
5 Star Compliance - 9
Service Anniversaries - 10
Naval Staff College - 10
Summer Interns - 11
Looking Good - 11
INSIDE
The Cat Bird Seat
See story on page 7
NEWS
BIW
He has ear plugs and eye protection but no hard hat. Since he
was not operating his equipment and we didn’t have to raise our
voices to be heard while we were speaking, he really didn’t need
to be using ear plugs. Likewise, I chose to keep my hard hat on
even though hard hats are not required in the machine shop.
We are all responsible for being in compliance with PPE
requirements that can vary depending on where you are in the
shipyard. If you’re in doubt about what’s required, check the
Environmental, Health and Safety Handbook to be sure.
Performance, safety and personal wellness also go hand-in-
hand. On August 14, a Bulletin announced our plans to make
BIW a tobacco-free work place early in 2009. I then sent a letter
to each of you at home emphasizing how eliminating tobacco
from BIW would contribute to our overall drive to stay a strong
competitor within the shipbuilding industry and lead to
improved health. We will now begin discussions regarding
implementation of this change with our four bargaining units in
accordance with our contracts. If you use tobacco, I encourage
you to take advantage of the resources that are now available to
you and start to prepare for the time when this policy will go
into effect. If you currently don’t use tobacco, don’t start. A
healthier work place environment will benefit you, your families
and BIW. Look for more information in the coming months.
Finally, on this Labor Day weekend, I hope you and your
families will enjoy a safe and relaxing holiday as we pause to cel-
ebrate the greatest workforce in the world—the workers of the
United States o