Strong safety culture equals success

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Jason Haag
  • 55th Wing Public Affairs
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. --  With cooler temperatures arriving base safety officials are reflecting back on summer lessons learned and reminding Team Offutt members to stay vigilant when it comes to safety as fall and winter approach.

The 101 Critical Days of Summer, which is the period from Memorial Day to Labor Day, typically sees an increase in safety related mishaps as people participate in more outdoor activities that come with a higher risk.

"So far, Offutt's 2011 safety record is right on par with recent summers," said Lt. Col. Kurt Koenigsfeld, 55th Wing chief of safety. "Unfortunately, we did have a fatality recently involving a Team Offutt member, which was a terrible tragedy."

While not all accidents can be prevented, it's important to try and mitigate the risks as much as you can while protecting yourself if an accident does happen.

"We had an incident were a motorcycle rider went to the ground due to unforeseen conditions. While the rider did sustain some injuries and lost time from work, properly wearing his personal protective equipment spared him more extensive physical damages - or potentially death," Koenigsfeld said.

Following safety regulations creates and environment for mission success, according to the 55th Wing commander.

"We can't have mission excellence without a strong culture of safety and compliance," Brig. Gen. Donald Bacon said. "It keeps the wing flying and doing the mission safely, keeps our Airmen healthy and protects all of our resources."

As the fall months begin to appear on the calendar, it's important to keep safety in your planning process for upcoming activities, according to the colonel.

"Team Offutt needs to continue thinking and practicing safety and compliance in everything we do, both on and off duty," Koenigsfeld said. "The wing does a great job and has a great safety record, but you can never rest on your past successes with safety."

With Halloween approaching, safety officials remind people to be aware of risks associated with the day's festivities. Tips include being extra vigilant looking for children on the streets; carrying flashlights and wearing reflective items after dark; and ensuring costumes fit properly and do not present a tripping hazard.

Looking more into fall, Thanksgiving also presents a few safety risks that can easily be mitigated with some common sense planning.

"Many people use turkey fryers at Thanksgiving. Make sure to follow posted equipment instructions to prevent fire hazards, including not using them inside a garage or home and having a fire extinguisher readily available," Koenigsfeld said.

In Nebraska, the possibility of freezing temperatures and snow exists throughout the fall and winter months.

Some simple tips for extreme weather include slowing down on the road, having your car checked out and having an emergency kit just in case there is a problem.

"Offutt members demonstrate a great culture of safety and compliance. This culture is created and fostered at all levels of the leadership chain, but more importantly, lies with each member of Team Offutt to practice safety and compliance," Koenigsfeld said. "We simply cannot let our guard down or cut corners with respect to safety."