U.S. Army Watervliet Arsenal

Oct. 31, 2014

THE SALVO“Lockout...here?”

Yes, but this is good!Story on Page 3

Machinist Tim Fontaine

Page 2 Salvo Oct. 31, 2014

The Arsenal Salvo is an authorized monthly publication for members of the Department of Defense. Contents of the Salvo are not necessarily the official views of, or an endorse-ment by the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, the Department of the Army, or the Watervliet Arsenal. News may be submitted for publication by sending articles to Public Affairs Officer, 1 Buffington Street, Bldg. 10, Watervliet, NY 12189, or stop by office #102, Bldg. 10, Watervliet Arsenal. The editor may also be reached at (518) 266-5055 or by e-mail: john.b.snyder.civ@mail.mil. The editor reserves the right to edit all information submitted for publication.

Commander, Col. Lee H. Schiller Jr.Public Affairs Officer, John B. SnyderEditor, John B. SnyderPhotographer: John B. Snyder Arsenal Facebook Page @http://on.fb.me/sq3LEm Photo credit for page 3

ColonelLee H. Schiller Jr.

CommandingManufacturer 6

Commander’sCorner

https://www.flickr.com/photos/brizzlebor-nandbred/5211835328/

http://likethedew.com/2009/08/10/breadlines-labor-strikes-a-march-by-the-unemployed/

Oh, October! It welcomes us into a new fiscal year, with a new budget, and a chance to reset our operations and focus. October also provides me a sense of reflec-tion, as I recall my thoughts about the arsenal of this time last year. Hindsight being 20-20, we should have set the condi-tions for success better last year in regards to workplace safety. As you may recall, last winter was exceptionally harsh and one that I cut my teeth on, so to speak, in re-gards to the challenges of maintaining continuous opera-tions during severe weather outbreaks. The fact that there would be ice and snow was not news to any of you, but what may have been a surprise is the velocity of which that came. During the months of January and February, we had several safety-related ac-cidents during the two coldest months in many years. We must do better this year! Time and patience will be the key to our work-ing safely through this coming winter. Nothing we do trumps your safety and so, we need to have more situ-ational awareness this year as winter bores down on us. For example, stay current on future weather reports and then plan accordingly. Plan your travel according to the conditions, take your time on the roads, and then walk ever so carefully through the parking lots. Work with your supervisor if you have challenges with your commute, because I would rather you come to work late than not at all. It is not worth the effort to shave a few minutes if it means that you are putting yourself at risk. And while I am talking about reflection, we should also not forget about our servicemen and women.

This Veterans Day, November 11th, we will join our fellow Americans, neighbors, family, and friends by marching in the Albany County Veterans Day Parade down Central Avenue. This is more than having thou-sands of viewers see the arsenal marching through Alba-ny, it is about our paying the proper respect to those who have been our customers since the War of 1812. Thanks to our nation’s Veterans, tens of thousands at the arsenal have earned a good middle-class living and so, we do have a sense of duty to thank them. But if you can’t join us marching, within a few min-utes drive of the arsenal is the Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery and near downtown Albany is the Stratton VA Medical Center. A visit to either one of these locations this Veterans Day will mean a lot to a Veteran or to a Veteran’s family ― the visit should also mean a lot to you, too.

Page 3 Salvo Oct. 31, 2014

By John B. Snyder

Story continues on page 4, Lockout

When rumors began flowing through the arsenal that it was getting new ‘lockout and tagout’ proce-dures, some may have thought the arsenal was having a labor issue or that professional wrestling was coming here. The truth is, however, that unlike the gimmickry of professional wrestling, there will not be any trickery with the arsenal’s new lockout-tagout program. “We have had for many years lockout-tagout pro-cedures to protect our workforce from injury,” said Matthew Church, the arsenal’s safety manager. “But those procedures were not easily understood, clearly defined, or on every machine operated by our manu-facturing force.”

Lockout-tagout procedures are a safety precaution that ensures that machines used in the manufacturing of military hardware are not started while they are be-ing repaired or serviced, Church said. The arsenal has more than 600 machines that are tied to production. “Given the scope of work to ensure that each one of our 600 machines has a proven lockout-tagout pro-cedure developed, we asked one of the arsenal’s ma-chinists to take the lead,” Church said. “After all, who would have more ownership to ensure that our manu-facturing machinery is safe than a machinist?”

Only at Watervliet, the terms ‘lockout’

and ‘tagout’

don’t imply a labor issue

or a wrestling

match

launched into the first few machines armed with noth-ing more than a camera, notepad, and a general under-standing of how machines worked. Within one week, he had properly established procedures for more than 100 machines. Great! About 500 more to go. Some of the challenges Fontaine has faced, besides the shear scope of the task, deals with the complexity of the newer machines and the lack of information for the older machines. “Because I am dealing with complex power sys-tems, I sometimes have to take a step back and think through the process of how machines are powered on and powered off,” Fontaine said. “With the older

machines, which some date back to the 1940s, I have to figure out the lockout and tagout process without the benefit of manu-als.” Fontaine said that his supervisor now allows him to work on this task one day a week, and at this rate he will have by De-cember lockout-tagout procedures established for all 600+ machines. Brian Bez,

Fontaine’s supervisor, said that he sees the time away from machining as an investment that will pay huge dividends. “When we established the former lockout-tagout procedures years ago, it was a different time and defi-nitely a different workforce,” Bez said. “The work that Tim and several others are doing has not only made the procedures more clear, their work has also heightened the awareness of the workforce to use safer procedures.” Church added that once Fontaine has completed this task the arsenal will be one of the few, if not the only manufacturing center in the Defense Department to have established such a high standard of safety for its machines.

Page 4 Salvo Oct. 31, 2014

Lockout Cont.

Machinist Tim Fontaine has been spearheading an effort to place revised lockout-tagout procedures on every one of the more than 600 machines that are tied to manufacturing.

Photos by John B. Snyder

There was another reason why Church wanted to establish these new procedures using arsenal labor. “We did a cost analysis of contracting this work out to a vendor versus doing it with our own labor,” Church said. “Had we contracted the work, the cost for establishing lockout-tagout procedures for every machine would have exceeded $270,000. But by us-ing in-house labor, the cost will be just a small fraction of the potential contracted cost.” Church then turned to machinist Tim Fon-taine, who graduated from the apprentice program a little over one year ago, and asked him to take charge of this massive initiative. He would lead the effort sup-ported by four others from manufacturing. Why in the world would Fontaine want to take on this mas-sive responsibility? “Somebody has to do it and so, why not me,” Fontaine said. “When I heard about the initiative (lockout-tagout), I thought it was a great idea that would have a significant impact on the safety of our workforce.” Fontaine’s spirit of volunteerism began in the ap-prentice program when he was the only apprentice to join the arsenal’s Voluntary Protection Program team. Fontaine’s work is no small undertaking as he must determine the energy sources for each machine, such as hydraulic, pneumatic, and electric, and then deter-mine the correct startup and shutdown procedures for each machine. Once he has done that, he takes that information, translates his findings into simple expla-nations, and then places that information onto photos that he has taken of each machine. During the recent arsenal shutdown week, Fontaine

The arsenal announced this month that it has awarded a $4.2 million contract to a New York con-struction company to upgrade the arsenal’s main power sub-station. Oddo Construction Services LLC, from Amherst, N.Y., will provide all labor, material, parts and equipment to upgrade the arsenal’s main power distribu-tion substation, said Benjamin Dedjoe, the arsenal’s electrical engineer who helped design the project. “This will be the largest and most important electrical proj-ect the arsenal has undertaken in nearly 30 years,” Dedjoe said. “We have been working the design for this power station for more than two years and it comes none too soon as the cur-rent power station is more than 50 years old.” Although this project is ripe with challenges, one of the toughest challenges, according to Dedjoe, is how to ensure that power is maintained to arse-nal manufacturing during the removal of the existing transformers. “Our top priorities will be to ensure continuous power to our operations while not impacting the elec-

trical supply to the local community,” Dedjoe said. “But after two years of planning and coordination, I firmly believe we have a solid plan and the right con-struction company to make this work.”

Given the shear scope and complexity of this project, Dedjoe said he was pleased the award for the contract went to Oddo Construction, which has a proven track record with the arsenal. And, Oddo seems to ready for this challenge. “Through our demonstrated hard work and sense of dedica-tion to each arsenal project, we have been very fortunate over the past few years to be consid-ered an arsenal partner,” said Yongmi “Amy” Oddo, Presi-dent of Oddo Construction. “We are very excited about continuing this partnership with all the outstanding contracting, engineering, public works, and other government personnel at the arsenal.” The project will begin in the spring of 2015 and should be completed by late fall 2015. Oddo is a certified 8(a), minority woman-owned firm

that specializes in general building construction and site work. The company has done extensive work for the arsenal in the past and is a proven performer, said Matthew Pember, an arsenal contract specialist.

Page 5 Salvo Oct. 31 2014

Arsenal awards the largest electrical

contract in a generation

Photos by John B. SnyderFormer arsenal electrical engineer, Benjamin Dedjoe, taking another look at the power substation the day of the contract announcement.

By John B. Snyder

Page 6 Salvo Oct. 31, 2014

MWR Manager Dawn Whelan sitting in the new lounge area that is greatly changed from the previous look in the photo to the left.

Photo by John B. Snyder

In 1840, a small building located along the Erie Canal became one of the first, if not the first, Army weapons research centers. Although the Erie Canal has long since been filled in, building #41 still remains on the Watervliet Arsenal and there is little doubt that the substances that are now housed in this historic building might have been wel-comed by the workforce in 1840. The arsenal remains rich in historic buildings, some of which date back to the 1820s. These beautiful stone and brick buildings have through the years been transformed countless times to adjust to the wartime and peacetime needs of the Army. Today, the former research center still performs a mis-sion, but the results of its products are hard to measure be-cause unlike the building in which they are housed, they are intangible. Nevertheless, the Army and the arsenal greatly value these intangible assets, which are called morale and motivation enhancements. The arsenal’s Morale, Welfare, and Recreation divi-sion now controls the former research center, now called the Cannon Community Club, and has recently made an $80,000 investment to make this facility a place where em-ployees may meet after work, families to marry, or where one may host their 50th wedding anniversary. In essence, a community place for all.

Dawn Whelan, the arsenal’s MWR manager, said the club has just completed a major renovation of its dining and bar lounge areas, changing a 1970s-era look into a contem-porary-looking atmosphere where anyone would be pleased to host an event. The club has a wide variety of catering menus, as well as a well-stocked bar that will accommodate any social event. “Prior to this major remodeling effort, we were hosting about 20 to 25 events a year that ranged from baby showers to weddings,” Whelan said. “But with the upgraded facil-ity, we would like to build the usage up to 35-40 events a year.” Whelan explained that the more use the club attains the more revenue that will be generated and retained at the arsenal for upgrades to other MWR activities. The club is one of the few in the Army inventory that currently earns a profit. The club and its catering service, which can accom-modate up to 80 people at any one time, is available to all Defense Department employees, retired arsenal employees, and civilian tenant organizations on the arsenal. Although the Army researchers of the 1840s might have found it difficult to comprehend what would become of their treasured space, they certainly might have appreciated a place where good fellowship could be had…such as the Cannon Community Club.

Nearly 175 years later,

research center still deals with new

substances

By John B. Snyder

Photo by John B. SnyderRemodeled dining area in the Cannon Community Club.

Page 7 Salvo Oct. 31, 2014

From being on life support to providing support

Improving the health and welfare of 700 employees is a tall order for the Watervliet Arsenal’s small health clinic, especially when the clinic was nearly on life support itself this past year. But in the matter of one month, the clinic has regained its strength and in doing so, the health care for more than 700 employees has also been strengthened. Earlier this year, the clinic was hit with multiple retirements that reduced its medical section to two people, Laura Garramone, the nurse supervisor, and Robin Kratky, a medical support assistant. And so, for nearly eight months, Garramone tenu-ously held the clinic’s medical operations together managing the arsenal’s health care to its 700 employ-ees. Given that the arsenal is a heavy industrial manu-facturing center, this was no small undertaking. “I was the case manager for every employee pro-viding support that ranged from reviewing return-to-

work profiles to initiating physicals to conducting eye and hearing exams,” Garramone said. “But now that we have two well-qualified medical practitioners who joined our team in September, we will now be able to move our healthcare forward, providing additional ser-vices that have been unavailable here.” The two new additions are: Douglas Czaplicki, a certified physician assistant; and Katrina Dinan, a reg-istered nurse. Czaplicki is a retired Army lieutenant colonel who did this type of work for the New York Army National Guard. Dinan is considered an expert in Occupation Health as proven by her being the presi-dent of the New York Capital District Association of Occupational Health Nurses. Both great fits for the arsenal. So, now with this added capability, what will be different?

By John B. Snyder

Physician Assistant Doug CzaplickiNurse Katrina Dinan

New employee Dan Loeffert

Story continues on page 8, see Clinic

while Czaplicki, as a physician assistant, can complete the physicals. Having a resident physician assistant and experi-enced occupational health experts also opens the door for other enhanced medical support. “Although we will not replace local emergency

rooms and on-call treatment centers, we will be able to provide initial medical assis-tance to those on duty,” Czaplicki said. “If you are injured at work and need minor suturing, in-stead of spending six or more hours in an emer-gency room waiting for treatment you can get immediate attention, here.” Dinan added that another major improve-ment the workforce will

see will be an enhanced occupational health effort. “People are often rushed through emergency rooms, as well as through their family care clinics and leave with questions about the medication they have been prescribed, the results of lab work that was com-pleted, or the treatment they are about to undergo,” Di-nan said. “We can help them make sense of all that in a quiet, controlled setting where time is not a factor.” Garramone, who oversees the clinic, has not wasted any time putting the skills of Czaplicki and Dinan to work. During the course of this interview, all were weaving in and out of discussion conducting physicals and providing flu shots.

Page 8 Salvo Oct. 31, 2014

Photos by John B. Snyder

“First, we will get the arsenal back on tract in regards to supporting the commander’s directive of ‘Clinic First,’” Czaplicki said. “Secondly, we want to raise the level of medi-cal service to include conducting complete physicals, as well as ap-plying sutures for minor cuts and gashes.” The Clinic First policy mandates that anyone who is injured or becomes sick while on duty must report to the Health Clinic so that the compensation process can be started. Of course, this does not apply to severe inju-ries or sickness requiring emergency treatment at a hospital. Each supervisor is also required to report the injury and or sickness to the Health Clinic within two working days from the date of the incident. From a worker’s compensation point of view, sup-porting the Clinic First policy simply makes sense. By involving the Health Clinic, the process for potential worker’s compensation begins. Regarding physicals, in the past the arsenal relied on a doctor who would be available just a few hours a month to complete physicals that are required for many of the jobs at the arsenal. Now, with the new team, Garramone and Dinan may initiate the physicals,

Clinic Cont.

Nurse Supervisor Laura Garramone explaining to Col. Lee H. Schiller Jr. the process of influenza immunizations that are taking place this month here.

Blood Drive Goal: 126Presenting Donors: 112Units Collected: 115First Time Donors: 5Potential Lives Saved: 345% of goal achieved: 92%

What better month to conduct a Blood Drive?

File Photo

Page 9 Salvo Oct. 31, 2014

Albany County’s Veterans’ Day Parade11 November

11 a.m.You have a chance to join us this November as we honor our Nation’s Veterans by marching in this year’s Albany County Veterans’ Day Parade. In addition to two Arsenal/Benét Labs floats, we plan to field several of our emer-gency service vehicles and several historic military vehicles from the Hudson-Mohawk Military Vehicle Club.

So, please gather your family members and march with us as we pay proper recognition to our Veterans, as well as to showcase the Arsenal to the commu-nity. If you have any questions, give John Snyder a call @ 266-5055.

SAVE THE DATE

Nov. 11, 2013

Veterans Day Parade

Save the Date

11 November 2014

Photos by John B. Snyder

October was National Disability Employment Awareness Month. The purpose of National Dis-ability Employment Awareness Month is to edu-cate about disability employment resources and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities. Held annually, National Disability Employment Awareness Month is led by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy, but its true spirit lies in activities and resources that advance or increase the opportunities for indi-viduals with disabilities. For programs and resources available to federal employees and applicants, visit the ODEP website at www.dol.gov/odep/. All play an important part in fostering a more inclusive workforce, one where

Page 10 Salvo Oct. 31, 2014

every person is recognized for his or her abilities — every day of every month. Watervliet Arsenal’s Disability program works closely with management and the Arsenals EEO Office. The disability program manager is respon-sible for in conjunction with the EEO manager to recruit, retain and advance individuals with dis-abilities within the Watervliet Arsenal workforce. Anyone interested in becoming active with the Disability Employee program are encouraged to contact Adam Ford at 266-5065 or Howard Kindell at 266-5308.

National Disability Employment

Awareness Month

Page 11 Salvo Oct. 31, 2014

BENEFITS OPEN SEASON IS APPROACHING

On November 10, the annual Benefits Open Season will begin and it will run through midnight on Dec. 8, 2014. During the open season, you may enroll, change your enrollment, or cancel your enrollment in the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program and the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP). In addition, you can enroll in a Flexible Spending Account (FSA).

Open season is an excellent opportunity to review the information for your current benefits. Even if you are not going to change your current enrollment during this open season, it is a good idea to check out the premiums and also determine if there are going to be any changes in your benefits or coverage for next year. The 2015 premiums and benefits guides should be available at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) website by the first week in November. The OPM website is: http://www.opm.gov/insure.

If you enroll in FEHB or change your enrollment during open season, your change will be effective Jan. 11, 2015.

There are a couple of ways for you to make an FEHB open season change. The most popular way to make a change is by utilizing the Employee Benefits Information System (EBIS). You may access EBIS through the ABC-C website, https://www.abc.army.mil, which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Once you are in EBIS, you will click on the “Transactions” button to make your FEHB open season change.

You may also contact the ABC-C at 1-877-276-9287, and have a benefits counselor provide assistance to you. Counselors are available from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

In addition, CPAC is always available to assist you with making a FEHB election/ change. The CPAC of-fice is located in the north end of Building 10, 1st floor and CPAC representatives are available from 6:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (remember to bring your CAC since EBIS is CAC-enabled). You may also set up an appointment with a CPAC representative by contacting 266-4058 or 266-4053.

For questions regarding premiums or enrollment in FEDVIP, you may contact BENEFEDS at 1-877-888-3337, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. To enroll, change, or cancel your enrollment in FEDVIP during this open season, visit the BENEFEDS website: https://www.BENEFEDS.com.

If you want to participate in FSA for 2015, you must enroll during this open season. You may enroll in an FSA online at: http://www.fsafeds.com or telephone by calling 1-877-372-3337. FSAFEDS Benefits Coun-selors are available 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

We understand that the benefits process may be confusing so please feel free to contact the CPAC on 266-4058 or 266-4053, if you have any problems or questions.

CPAC Corner...

Page 12 Salvo Oct. 31, 2014

The Watervliet Arsenal started and finished strong at the 3rd Annual Northeast Military Softball Tournament by taking 1st place. Watervliet out scored their opponents 79-21 and went 4-1 on the tournament day to become repeat champs. The team hit 17 home runs on the day and steam-rolled through the competition beating Fort Drum in the champion-ship game 14-3. Beginning in the front row: Greg Delgado, Kyle Buono, Ethan Delgado (child behind trophy), Fred MillerScott Laverdiere, Zach Kirsch, Jordan Selin, Matthew Con-nors, Johnny Lowe, Matthew Marsh, Chad Peters, Ted Min-nisale, David Meeks , Mikey Cheng.

Champions...Again

Photo provided by Kyle Buono

Employee Appreciation Lunch

Firefighter Training

Photos by John B. Snyder

Photos by John B. Snyder