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Consider the consequence: Injury possible anywhere, anytime
Posted 1/30/2013 Updated 1/30/2013
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by Audrey Terry
1/30/2013 - SOUTHWEST ASIA -- It doesn't take much to get hurt at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing. Simple mishaps injure members and diminish their ability to perform their mission. There are a few common injuries members should know while supporting operations in the area of responsibility.
Defined as "an unplanned occurrence, or series of occurrences, that result in damage or injury to Air Force property or personnel ..." by AFI 91-204, Safety Investigations and Reports, mishaps occur every day. According to wing safety, the goal for every Airman is injury prevention.
"It is not something normally thought about," said Maj. Kurt Kaiser, acting wing chief of safety. "But should definitely be integrated into everything we do, every day."
For the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2013, sprains and strains, lacerations, pinches and bumps, fractured bones and head injuries were among the top injuries. Many of these injuries could have been prevented through situational awareness. During this period, the wing experienced 50 personal injuries, of which 39 were considered "greater than first aid," and 11 resulted in lost duty time from work. Greater than first aid means the injured person may have required stitches, prescription medication, or fractured a bone, but returned back to duty.
Top injury "sprains and strains" occurred mostly due to the failure of personnel to use proper lifting techniques, and/or exceeding their physical limitations to accomplish a task. Such injuries are preventable by using proper lifting techniques or the two-person-or-more team concept.
The second-most common injury, lacerations, caused personnel to seek medical attention requiring Band-Aids, staples, sutures, etc. Heightened awareness and using personal protective equipment could have likely eliminated or reduced the severity of these mishaps. Members can reduce their risk by using gloves and better lighting at the work site, improving familiarization with the equipment being used and not rushing to accomplish tasks.
The number three injury type is the 'smashed/pinched/bumped/banged' category. Appendages get caught or smashed between everything from car doors to tow bars. Personnel are hit by falling objects, and run or walk into solid objects. Members should improve awareness of hand and feet placement, and pay attention to more than the task at hand to avoid tunnel vision.
The fourth and final groups of injuries are the most serious, including fractured bones and concussion-type injuries. Broken feet, fingers, hands and concussions have diminished mission effectiveness.
"If one Airman is out due to a serious injury, someone has to pick up the workload while he or she mends," said Master Sgt. Richard Page, ground safety manager. "It's even worse if the injured person is medically evacuated for further care, which unfortunately has happened several times."
Here are a few tips if members take the time up front to implement can save them a lot of time in lost hours and support.
- Always pay attention to your surroundings
- Always use PPE such as seatbelts, reflective belts, gloves, goggles and hearing protection. Don't leave your PPE behind when you go to work or go outside to run, etc. It can save your life.
- Communicate clearly to coworkers, supervisors and friends if you need assistance. Assist coworkers in making sound decisions and maintaining a safe attitude.
- Slow down! The operations tempo is very high, but you are not expected to injure yourself when you're pressed to get the job done. Ask for help!
Injuries are going to happen. Consider what the consequences of your actions will be. It is up to all of us to be safe, aware and think before we leap, on and off the job. |
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