Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PSNS & IMF), along with Naval Base Kitsap, hosted the third annual Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Summer Health & Safety Expo at Naval Base Kitsap in Bremerton, July 18.

The event was an opportunity for civilian employees, military personnel, and their families to learn more about safety and health, both at the workplace and at home. Rainy weather didn’t stop the more than 1,200 attendees from visiting approximately 50 booths in Building 502 and the nearby field.

“Lots of good displays with lots of great ideas,” said James Kershaw, PSNS & IMF, Shop 99 employee.

Exhibitors displayed and distributed information on various topics from work and home safety practices to principles of Lean thinking, mentoring and diversity, and products that decrease fatigue and accidents in employees who are on their feet all day.

Naval Hospital Bremerton was on hand sharing information on healthy eating habits and diabetes prevention, and provided blood sugar screening and blood pressure checks.

“I was able to pick up information on a lot of different topics from gun and outdoor safety to different careers,” said Patty Armstrong, PSNS & IMF, Shop 64. 

Many new companies that participated in this year’s event, such as Olympic Ambulatory Surgery Center (OASC). “

Events like this are an opportunity to get the word out on the services that we offer,” said Dori Robinson, CEO and Administrator of the OASC. “We were the first surgery center established in the state of Washington 30 years ago. Very few people even know who we are or what we do.”

Another newcomer was 3-D Etc, a 3-D Experimental Training Company that uses 3-D technology to deliver health and safety messages. Attendees participated in a demonstration of this 3-D technology combined with binary sound.

“This year’s expo was a great success due to the concerted efforts and support from all those that worked so hard to put the event together.” said Lonny Schmitt, VPP Education team co-chair. “I was very happy to see so many engaging conversations happening between employees and the safety and health professionals about not only work issues, but home and recreational safety as well.”