ALSAFE Message 4/99 Out of Sight, Out of Mind |
ROUTINE RMKS/ 1. MOST NAVAL INSTALLATIONS ARE WELL AWARE OF THE SAFETY CONCERNS ASSOCIATED WITH THE VARIOUS INDUSTRIAL HAZARDS PRESENT ABOARD THEIR BASES. WHAT ABOUT FACILITIES NOT NORMALLY LABELLED AS INDUSTRIAL AREAS? BASE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES CAN AND DO CONTAIN JUST AS MANY HAZARDS AS A MACHINE SHOP OR TRANSPORTATION CENTER. WOODWORKING HOBBY SHOPS AND POOLS ARE JUST A COUPLE OF EXAMPLES. IN SOME CASES THESE FACILITIES ARE LOCATED A FAIR DISTANCE FROM THE BASE OR IN SECLUDED AREAS. AS SUCH, DAY TO DAY VISIBILITY OF THESE FACILITIES IS OFTEN LIMITED TO JUST THE PERSONNEL WHO WORK THERE AND THEIR PATRONS. PAST NAVAL SAFETY CENTER SURVEYS HAVE REVEALED THAT, IN SOME INSTANCES, ATTENTION TO SAFETY CONCERNS AT RECREATIONAL FACILITIES HAS FALLEN SHORT OF THE MARK. THE RECENT DEATH OF A SAILOR WORKING AT AN MWR CAMPGROUND HAS HEIGHTENED THE NEED FOR INCREASED AWARENESS. 2. A PRUDENT AND EFFECTIVE NAVOSH PROGRAM DOES NOT EXCLUDE ANY PORTION OF A PARTICULAR FACILITY. ANNUAL OVERSIGHT INSPECTIONS ARE A REQUIRED ELEMENT OF REF A. IF TREND ANALYSES INDICATE AREAS OF CONCERN, REF B REQUIRES MORE FREQUENT INSPECTIONS OF MWR FACILITIES TO ENSURE PATRON SAFETY. MOREOVER, SUPERVISORS OF THESE FACILITIES MUST ENSURE THE REQUIREMENTS AND INTENT OF THE NAVOSH PROGRAM ARE BEING FULLY MET. A COMMON SHORTFALL NOTED IN MANY OF THESE REMOTE LOCATIONS IS THE FAILURE TO PROVIDE TRAINING FOR PATRONS WHO ARE EXPOSED TO THE VERY SAME HAZARDS AS PAID EMPLOYEES. THIS PLACES THEM IN HARM'S WAY SINCE THEY DO NOT HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE NECESSARY TO REDUCE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH VARIOUS TASKS. SUPERVISORY OVERSIGHT IS ESSENTIAL TO MINIMIZE MISHAPS. 3. THE NAVAL SAFETY CENTER CAN PROVIDE A NO COST LOOK AT AN ACTIVITY'S RECREATIONAL AND OFF DUTY SAFETY PROGRAM. THIS SERVICE WILL GIVE A COMMAND AN HONEST ASSESSMENT OF HOW SOUND THEIR PROGRAM ACTUALLY IS. RECREATIONAL AND OFF DUTY SAFETY SURVEYS CAN BE REQUESTED THROUGH MR. MICHAEL BROWNLEY COMM (757)444-3520 X7181. DSN 564-3520 X7181.// BT |
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