Safety Star
The Safety Star Program rewards employees who demonstrate safe behavior and provides employees an opportunity to recognize the exemplary efforts of others by nominating coworkers. The great stories submitted provide us with an opportunity to learn more about the hazards our colleagues face both on and off the job, and the positive actions performed to help mitigate those hazards.
While safety is every employee’s responsibility, a “Safety Star” displays exceptional efforts in safety.
Award-Winning Story
On a remote survey, a person ran up to ask our crew “Do you have a fire extinguisher?” The crew responded immediately to a truck on fire on the side of a dirt road in the forest, directly next to dry vegetation. This vegetation extended to a busy campground at max capacity for the weekend. Several campers in the area were standing, watching, while one was throwing water onto the engine of the burning truck. Due to the field crew completing their safety trainings, they immediately recognized that water on burning diesel was the incorrect way to approach this fire and grabbed the fire extinguisher and shovel from their truck. They doused the fire with the fire extinguishers while shoveling dirt onto the fire. To completely put out the fire, they had to open the vehicle’s hood which was stuck because of the flames. The team used their shovels and teamwork to force open the hood. They continued to fight the fire until they were sure it was extinguished. When the towing company was called, they could not find the area. Our field crew directed the towing company employee over the phone. They saw the process through and made sure those around them were safe.