Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Hawaii announced Pest Controller Michael M. Aoki as the command's Safety Star Individual Excellence awardee at its annual awards ceremony April 27.

"I am very pleased to present our top safety award to Mike Aoki for his great work in 2014," said NAVFAC Hawaii Commanding Officer Capt. Dean Tufts. "He has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to safety in the workplace and is recognized as a true role model by his peers. Mike is a quick thinking individual who is able to identify and communicate workplace hazards to the chain of command and his coworkers as well as immediately implement on-the-spot corrections."

Aoki, a resident of Waipio, Hawaii, continuously sets an example to his peers, emphasizing the use of the NAVFAC Safety Handbook, providing continuous safety training, and underscoring the use of operational risk management. He is a major team player and participates in the command's safety program working with management to ensure a safe and healthful workplace.

"Mike leads the way and has improved the safety of numerous highly toxic pest management projects promoting an 'injury free environment," said NAVFAC Hawaii Pest Control Shop Supervisor Julian 'Owen' Abad. "He is always thinking on ways to reduce or mitigate personnel mishaps and voices his opinion at the jobsite, safety briefings and meetings. Helping to encourage conscientious safe behavior in the workplace, he motivates others and follows through until safety issues are resolved."

In addition, Aoki flawlessly prevented a potentially fatal ladder accident by recognizing the problem while work was in progress, warning his coworker, helping him take corrective action, all while keeping his supervisor informed. His safety awareness directly influences the safe completion of various jobs/projects, increases employee/workgroup safety knowledge, and contributes to the command's safety goals.

Aoki is truly a Safety Star at NAVFAC Hawaii.

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