Example of a Model Safety Program

The following initiatives and traits are part of successful safety programs we have seen. They should be used as a model for your own program. Combined with resources specific to your command culture and environment, you can achieve optimal readiness through safety.

Afloat Command

Self assessments. Ships must be honest in the assessment and condition of their safety program. To resolve this issue they must use the COMNAVSURFORINST 3120.1 and OPNAVINST 5100.19D self-assessment checksheets.
Indoctrination program that includes true and real-time training for the personnel assigned to implement and execute the daily operations of the ship's safety program. Ships that have a fully functional safety program all have personnel assigned that are fully engaged in safety and strictly enforce the standards provided in the 5100.19D.
Traffic safety program:
- Use the vehicle-safety checklist on this website,
- Enforce limits on how far crewmembers can drive in one day .
- Provide the option of an extra half day of liberty to get back to the command safely,
- Track and ensure that additional driver improvement courses are provided for 18-to-26-year-old Sailors specifically, and anyone else who want to attend.
- Program manager and division officers are constantly involved as to what is happening when ship personnel are planning their travel.
Complete an ASCAS survey and conduct follow-on stand downs in the areas where a problem area was identified. Ships that do this have a better success rate in the safety arena because they focus on the areas of weakness and put safeguards in place to prevent unsafe acts and mishaps.
Most importantly, assign primary-duty, billeted safety personnel to all ships. In most cases, collateral duty safety officers and safety petty officers cannot devote proper attention to the safety-related job they have been assigned. The resolution is to assign primary billet safety personnel to all ships. Some ships surveyed take safety seriously and have gone above and beyond what is required by 5100.19D. The USS Vella Gulf and USS Simpson are two small ships that are doing safety the correct way because their assigned safety personnel are involved and take their job in safety very seriously. The very low number of injuries and mishaps on these ships reflects how well the safety programs on these two ships are working.

Shore Command

Recreation Safety

Designation of RODS coordinator in writing
Inspections: Annual and more frequent depending on activity
Training: Quarterly qualifications for:
- Auto hobby
- Woodworking
- Small boats
- New employee brief
- Sports briefs
Enforcement: MWR–
- Enforce standards
- Personal Protective Equipment
- Housing
- Playgrounds
- Gas appliances
Mishap reporting: Command submits motor vehicle mishap reports in correct format and within 30 calendar days.

Traffic Safety

Designation of Traffic Safety Coordinator in writing
Seat Belt/Motorcycle Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Effective safety belt use/motorcycle PPE policy and program.
- Safety belt checks conducted to obtain usage rates
- Command enforces safety belt use and child safety seats for all operators and passengers of government and private motor vehicles.
Training:
- Command has a motorcycle safety program or access to program in the area which is available to all personnel.
  - Number of motorcycle operators in command and motorcycles are registered on base.
  - Number of motorcycle operators who have/have not received the required training.
  - Ensure personnel possess a current driver’s license with motorcycle endorsement.
- Command has a driver improvement program or access to a program in the area which is available to all personnel.
  - Number of military personnel under 26 years of age receiving driver’s training.
  - Number of military and civilian personnel operating a government motor vehicles who have taken driver’s training.
  - Personnel found at fault in a Navy vehicle mishap who have received training.
  - Number of personnel that attend training as traffic offenders and as a condition of continued authorized use of their privately owned vehicle on base.
  - Ensure personnel possess a current driver’s license.
- Emergency vehicle operator training.
  - Number of personnel assigned to security who operate police vehicles, fire apparatus for structural, crash, fire and rescue operations; and ambulances.
  - Number of personnel who have received the required training for police vehicle operations, fire apparatus emergency driving, and ambulance operation.
  - Certified instructors to teach police vehicle operators, fire apparatus operators, and ambulance operators.
  - Training recorded in official personnel records of those personnel completing police vehicle, fire apparatus, and ambulance operator training.
  - Ensure personnel possess a current driver’s license.
- Command conducts safety stand downs, pre-holiday briefings, presentations, and indoc training with traffic safety subjects.
Command’s policy on drinking and driving/alcohol deglamorization
- How many personnel are referred to alcohol or drug abuse treatment as a result of incidents involving drinking/drugs and driving?
- Are transportation alternatives offered, i.e. designated drivers and taxi services at command sponsored functions when alcohol is served?
Mishap reporting: Command submits motor vehicle mishap reports in correct format and within 30 calendar days.

Tactical

Mock-up training and rehearsals before all live tactical and training operations.
Direct involvement of officers, SNCOs, and NCOs in off-duty and traffic safety
Use of ORM to identify and minimize risks
Safety assessments and surveys of training sites, facilities, and equipment before training.
Marine Corps Ground OSH

Ordnance

Ensure that all processes are conducted in accordance with a command-approved SOP. Complete understanding and strict compliance of specified safety regulations are necessary to eliminate unsafe acts and conditions that cause preventable mishaps. Failure to follow procedure continues to be the number one nemesis of explosives safety. Intrusive leadership is a must.
Good housekeeping. Magazines, magazine areas, operating buildings, and all other buildings within explosive areas must be kept clean and orderly at all times. A high standard of cleanliness and order is one of the most important factors in fire prevention where ammunition and explosives are present.
Up-to-date ordnance publications, technical manuals, safety manuals, instructions, and other pertinent data that cover all ordnance material, ammunition and ammunition components applicable to that activity.
Minimizing the exposure of a minimum number of personnel to the minimum amount of ammunition and explosives consistent with safe and efficient operations, providing maximum possible protection to personnel and property from the damaging effects of potential mishaps involving ammunition and explosives.
Take full advantage of available resources and training. Outside of commands own training program or regimen, there are several training opportunities and resources that should be sought out: Explosives Safety Inspection (ESI); Conventional Ordnance Safety Review (COSR); Ordnance Handling and Safety Assist Team (OHSAT); Defense Ammunition Center (DAC); DAC computer-based training (CBT); Mobile Ordnance Training Team (MOTT); CNATTU/ Explosive Safety Self-assessment (ESSA); NAVSAFECEN.

Aviation Command

Aircraft Operations

The most important and cornerstone is to have a good Aviation Safety Program, from which all command policies flow.
The human factors example is probably the best one out there--way above and beyond the norm.
CO Safety Policy letter is a statement from the CO with his direct comments to all personnel on safety.
The turnover binder notes will help continuity throughout personnel changes. Usually this is a weak point in squadrons.
A timeline that maps out milestones the Safety Department needs to hit during an allotted timeframe.

Aeromedical

The Flight Surgeon should be tightly integrated into the unit safety organization
- Should be in the loop with Safety, NATOPS, Ops, etc. Too often, the doc is only involved in clinical issues and is out of the loop when it comes to admin functions where he/she might have relevant input.
The Aviation/Aeromedical Safety Resources CD
- Availale from the Naval Safety Center
- It contains a wealth of information relevant to aviation safety... not just for the Flight Docs' use
A solid Human Factors Program
- We also recommend that squadrons incorporate a Maintainer Human Factors Council that mirrors the required aircrew version
- VP-40 has done an excellent job in this regard, and their instruction serves as a model for the fleet

Maintenance

Training (both Safety and rate specific) is completed and documented in training record. All program managers have completed ALL required training and certifications.
Pre-brief major evolutions use the ORM process.
Key personnel are involved (i.e. CO, XO, MO, MMCO, CMC, MMCPO).
Safety meetings are held and are supported by flight schedules / production, and attended by people with a wide range of experience (officers, CPOs, supervisors, technicians, etc.).
PB for T's are held regularly and include important safety milestones.
A culture that encourages approachability and discussion on maintenance, short cuts or border line "up gripes" builds better team communication and a safer program.
Dedicated, permanently assigned (for at least a year) ASO and Safety PO (minimum E-5 with TMS experience).
QA locked on and involved with the shops. CDIs know and perform their functions properly. Khaki manage by walking around. Short cuts and improper (or no) use of safety equipment is not accepted.

Investigations

Communication. Internal: right hand works well with left hand, higher efficiency, better morale. External: timely, candid and complete reporting.
Maintenance. Active--ahead of the power curve and facilitating operations flexibility? Or reactive--behind and driven by operations? Personnel qualifications--how good are they and is there investment/progress to advance personnel?
Operations. Crew readiness--how good is it?. Does the unit train to future operations, or just plunge in and learn by doing?
Command. Has the CO ever declined a tasking to give the squadron a chance to recover its footing (maintenance/training/manning)? How do your reenlistment/disciplinary rates compare with like squadrons?

Other

We also have a collection of fleet-wide best practices.

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