Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, Calif. -- In August of last year, Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow Calif., became home to the first active duty Marine to become a Special Government Employee through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Voluntary Protection Program.
Gunnery Sergeant Dustin Hamilton, safety specialist here, became SGE certified after years of experience with VPP.
“To be VPP you have to meet and exceed all of OSHA’s standards … it’s a long process,” Hamilton explained. “Less than 1 percent of companies have obtained it; we are the only Marine Corps installation to have been VPP star certified.”
Last month, Hamilton conducted his first audit as an SGE. He inspected the grain silos for Miller Coors plants in Longmont, Co., for their star recertification.
“If a company wants to get VPP I can help them get it,” Hamilton explained. “Not only do we share what we do with companies who are lacking in one area, we take away from anything they might do better than us … it’s all about protecting the employee.”
During an audit the facility is inspected thoroughly, we test their knowledge of VPP, ensure their training is up to date, and interview at least 20 percent of their employees, Hamilton explained.
One of the main reasons why Hamilton requested to come to MCLB Barstow was because of its prestigious safety program.
“As soon as I found out about SGEs I made it a goal to become one,” he added.
When Hamilton isn’t doing SGE audits for other companies, he is keeping the base safe through inspections and training base personnel.
“I love having the opportunity to train people and give safety classes,” Hamilton said. “Keeping people informed is half the battle. Something I say in class may stick with an individual and prevent them from making a poor decision.”
He further explained his passion for investigating accidents to prevent them from happening to someone else.
“It’s not my job to get people in trouble … but when there is some kind of accident I need to know how and why it happened, then figure out preventive measures to keep it from happening in the future,” Hamilton said.
Elizabeth Claro, OSHA specialist and SGE of four years, has been on multiple base inspections with Hamilton.
“It’s good to have an active duty Marine as an SGE, it gives a different perspective of things,” Claro said. “He has great attention to detail.”
Claro further explained how hard Hamilton worked to become certified. He constantly supported and enforced safe working environments.
“He (Hamilton) is very thorough during inspections,” she said. “He has identified and corrected many possible hazards … making the base a safer place for everyone.”
Hamilton, whose original military occupational specialty was aviation ordinance, never thought he would find himself working with safety.
“I went from Pvt. Hamilton slinging bombs, to Gunnery Sgt. Hamilton with a degree in general industry … doing safety inspections,” Hamilton said laughing. “It’s something I have found a passion for.”
He will never know if he did his job, or if someone is alive today because of a hazard he corrected … however, he can go home at night knowing he made a difference and knowing the base is now that much safer.