The Virginia-Class Submarine Safety Task Team held the first Safety Table Hour of 2026 this month. The event was created to educate and engage the workforce. It also helps foster a positive safety culture and provide opportunities to reinforce health and safety policies, offer quick and simple refresher trainings and provide hands-on opportunities.

This month’s topics included confined space entry requirements and hazard recognition REC: Recognize, Evaluate and Control. Shipbuilders were able to practice in a virtual reality confined space and a staged physical space.

“I think it’s good they brought awareness to safety in confined spaces. It’s important to know what the tags mean and what to look for in those areas,” said Douglas Carter (X43), an outside machinist who attended the event.

Each month will have a different safety topic relevant to the work environment. Topics may include risk prevention, proper PPE and hazard awareness. The event also helps shipbuilders put a face to the safety task team. “We want shipbuilders to feel they can come talk to our team, we encourage communication and engagement,” said Mary “Frankie” Cupp (X33), a VCS Safety Task Team lead.

“Safety events and moments help motivate shipbuilders maintain safe work practices and help create effective ways to recognize and reward teams’ commitment to safety,” said operations safety manager H.D. Trulley (K79).

“The safety table hour was a great learning experience. A lot of people at the shipyard are hands-on, so trainings like this help,” said Paige Jeffers (X43), an outside machinist.