But in a work setting, it means much more. Housekeeping is crucial to safe workplaces. It can help prevent injuries and improve productivity and morale, as well as make a good first impression on visitors.

HOUSEKEEPING IN THE

WORKPLACE

Housekeeping Tips

We’ve all heard the phrase: “Your mother doesn’t work here. Clean up after yourself.” Not only is good housekeeping important at home, it’s important in the workplace as well. Clutter, leaks and spills can happen anywhere from the front office to the shipping dock, making everything look messy and, more

importantly, creating the potential for injuries.

To some people, the word “housekeeping” calls to mind cleaning floors and surfaces, removing dust, and organizing clutter.

Store Heavy Items Low

Many workplaces have storage

units that might include a

variety of office supplies.

Workers should place heavy

items on lower shelves to

ensure safe storage.

Inside this issue:

Biggest Loser 2

Safety In Action 3

Mother’s Day Tribute 4

Hazard Prevention 4

VPP NEWSLETTER

Star Central

Avoid Stacking Products

While many work environments

have a limited amount of space,

employees should resist the

temptation to stack items, as this

could damage office supplies,

and may create on-the-job

hazards.

Keep Walkways Clear

Cords and wires are necessary in many

workplaces, but employees should do

everything possible to keep these

cables away from walkways. Keeping

frequently used paths clear limits the

possibility of falls, slips and trips, and

helps employers maintain a safe work

environment.

Rules: 1. Depot employees can form a group who desire to reduce their individual body weight.

2. Group members:

a. At least 4 employees but not more than 6 employees per group. No limit as to number of competing groups. Members must have a name for their group appropriate for the group goal/objective.

b. Each group will provide a complete list of group members. No substitution of group member once the initial weigh-in is conducted.

c. Each member will be weighed-in. The group total weight will be the combined total of the group members’ individual weight.

d. Weigh-in-attire. Ideal – Workout/gym clothes, No shoes, socks on.

3. The S&W Subcommittee member or Tracy Fitness Center staff can conduct the official weigh-ins and will maintain the records accordingly. Any calibrated digital/manual scale can be used for weigh-ins. The New Tracy Fitness Center (Bldg. 103) is the official venue for weigh-ins.

4. Weigh-ins scheduled and make-up dates:

a. May 2. May 3 & 4 Make-up.

b. June 1. June 2 & 3 Make-up.

c. July 5, July 6 & 7 Make up.

d. August 1, Final Weigh-in

5. Incentives:

a. Certificate of participation.

b. Group Plaque for the winning group with the highest percentage of total weight loss at the end of the Weight-Loss challenge period.

c. Individual Plaque for the person who has the highest percentage of total weight loss during the Weight Loss challenge period.

Activity: Group Weight Loss Pro-

gram. The team with the highest

percentage of total weight loss

wins. The challenge is open to all

Tracy Depot employees.

Page 2

Step 1: Seiri, or Sort

Seiri is sorting

through the contents

of the workplace and

removing

unnecessary items.

This is an action to

identify and

eliminate all

unnecessary items

from the workplace.

Step 2: Seiton, or Straighten

Seiton is putting the necessary items in

their place and providing easy access.

This is an action to put every necessary

item in good order, and focuses on

efficient and effective storage methods.

Step 3: Seiso, or Shine

Seiso involves cleaning

everything, keeping it clean

daily, and using cleaning to

inspect the workplace and

equipment for defects. This is

an action to clean the

workplace daily.

Step 4: Seiketsu, or

Standardize

Seiketsu involves creating

visual controls and

guidelines for keeping the

workplace organized,

orderly and clean. This is a

condition where a high

standard of good

housekeeping is maintained.

The first three steps, or S’s,

are often executed by order.

Seiketsu helps to turn it into

natural, standard behavior.

Step 5: Shitsuke, or

Sustain

Shitsuke involves training

and discipline to ensure

that everyone follows the

5S standards. This is a

condition where all

members practice the first

four S’s spontaneously

and willingly as a way of

life. Accordingly, it

becomes the culture in the

organization.

While some Lean Six Sigma (LSS) practitioners consider 5S a tool, it is more than that. 5S, abbreviated

from the Japanese words seiri, seito, seiso, seiketsu, shitsuke, is not just a methodology, it is a

culture that has to be built in to any organization which aims for spontaneous and continuous improvement

of working environment and working conditions. It involves everyone in the organization from the top

level to bottom. The Japanese developed this simple and easily understandable words religiously practiced

the philosophy of 5S at every aspect of their life and have made it a world wide recognizable system.

Too often in LSS the 5S philosophy is confined to one classroom training session or, at best, used as a one

-time implementation methodology that then dies its own death due to negligence. 5S is not a list of action

items that has to be reviewed at some interval of time. Instead, it has to be practiced as a daily activity,

which requires concentration, dedication and devotion for sustaining it and ultimately making it a

company-wide culture.

5S

Commander, DLA-SJ

Colonel Keith D. Reventlow, USMC

Deputy Commander

Paul Balash III

AFGE Local 1546 President

Damiana L. Maggio

The Safety/VPP Office is located in

Warehouse 15 Bubble

Editor

AFGE VPP Representative

Titus Ashley/Alexia Acosta

The VPP Star Central Newsletter is an unofficial

publication by and for employees of DLA

Distribution San Joaquin, California and printed by

DLA Document Services located at the DLA

Distribution San Joaquin, California Regional

Printing Office. The publication focuses on events

and developments at DLA Distribution San

Joaquin, California and other items that relate to

our employees and the surrounding community.

The Star Central Newsletter does not reflect official

views of DOD, DLA or the DDC unless so stated.

Comments and contributions from readers are

welcomed. The editor reserves the right to

condense or rewrite submitted copy, to conform

with professional journalism standards, while

maintaining the intended content of the articles.

Please address correspondence to:

DLA Distribution San Joaquin, California

PO BOX 960001

Stockton, California 95296-0010

Mother's Day History Mother's Day is a day dedicated to

honoring and recognizing the sacrifices and accomplishments of

mothers. Mothers are recognized by family and friends; regardless of whether they are biological or perceived maternal figures. It is a day to honor and respect mothers for their many sacrifices; a day to show them how important they are to us. In 1914, Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation recognizing the second

Sunday in May as Mother's Day

The VPP Hazard Prevention and

Control (HP & C) subcommittee conducts

Carbon Monoxide (CO) Monitoring or an MHE

Rodeo for all propane lifts semi-annually. In the

spring and fall months, the Rodeo is held to

insure that emissions are in line with necessary

safety standards.

We, as the subcommittee, work collaboratively

with Installation Support’s contracted Industrial

Hygienist utilizing equipment that identifies

high and unsafe emissions, these propane lifts

are then reported to the respective Supervisor in

a thorough report.

The supervisors contacts Wolverine for

immediate attention to the MHE that has failed

the emissions testing. With these ongoing semi-

annual Carbon Monoxide (CO) Monitoring

events, workers can be assured that the equipment being used in the warehouses are in the

best possible condition.

It is regrettable to report that we had a dismal showing in the recent April MHE Rodeo.

Despite our efforts to notify Supervisors by emails and day of event radio announcements,

there were an alarming amount of “no shows”. Please ensure that your MHE gets the

necessary Carbon Monoxide (CO) Monitoring this fall. Let’s keep our warehouses safe and

healthy workplaces.

Mother’s Day Poems

A Mother...

When you're a child she walks before you,

To set an example.

When you're a teenager she walks behind

you

To be there should you need her.

When you're an adult she walks beside

you

So that as two friends you can enjoy life

together.. Author Unknown