One Newport News Shipbuilding team recently celebrated going more than five years without an accident, which can be attributed to several measures that any shipyard team can follow.

The New Construction Carrier Mechanical Piping and Inspection Team hit the five-year mark in 2023. As of December, it exceeded 1,900 work days without an accident. Ben Jones, acting chief of New Carrier Construction/CVN Overhaul, noted the best practices regarding the team:

• Preparation: Prior to any job, the team discusses issues that have come up on that type of inspection in the past. They double check personal gear and tools for themselves and their fellow shipbuilders before heading to the job site.
• Awareness: The team implements the REC approach, which stands for Recognize, Evaluate and Control. They look out for one another. For example, they identify low-hanging wires or trip hazards, either correcting the problem or making sure their teammates are aware of it.
• Caring: The team has worked together for some time, following the construction progression of carriers from Dry Dock 12 to Pier 3. “They genuinely care about each other,” said Jones. “They are one big family. No one wants to see anyone get hurt, and I am very proud of them.”