Photo By Dustin Senger | U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Michael D. Howard, Area Support Group Qatar command...... read more read more
CAMP AS SAYLIYAH, Qatar – U.S. Army Col. David G. Cotter, Area Support Group Qatar and installation commander, officially announced the completion of 300 safe days at Camp As Sayliyah, Qatar, March 3. For 300 consecutive days, residents at the U.S. military installation avoided accidents resulting in serious property damage and personal injury.
Camp As Sayliyah is a large multi-national and joint-service sustainment installation located in Qatar, a Gulf state positioned along the eastern coastline of Saudi Arabia. Many logistical operations directly support Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom – from completing vehicle repairs and restoration tasks, to shipping life-saving medical supplies to troops throughout Southwest Asia. Safe environments prevent missed work days or slowed production tempos from impacting military commitments in contingency areas.
The U.S. Army Combat Readiness/Safety Center recognizes recordable accidents as: Class A, an incident resulting in property loss over $1 million, death or permanent disability; Class B, property damage over $200,000, nonfatal accidents leading to permanent partial disability or hospitalization of three or more individuals; and Class C, property damage of over $20,000, nonfatal injury or illness resulting at least one day away from work or training. For 300 days, the Camp As Sayliyah community has avoided each accident classification.
"I don't know of any Army installation to go a year without at least a Class C incident," said Col. Will Merrill, U.S. Army Central safety director. "It's possible for a company, but definitely rare for a brigade-size command."
"Work injuries are a big threat for Camp As Sayliyah," said Merrill. "It's not uncommon to get hurt while working on up-armored vehicles. The four biggest factors contributing to injury are overconfidence, complacency, indiscipline and inadequate training."
"Camp As Sayliyah definitely has a streamlined safety program that stands in accordance with Army safety regulations," said Sgt. 1st Class Bobby Walker, from Atlanta, Ga. He is the 427th Medical Logistics Company safety non-commissioned officer, responsible for promoting accident-free work areas. His unit provides medical supplies, biomedical repair, medical logistics information management and optical fabrication to the U.S. Central Command area of operations. "Forklifts remain our biggest safety risk. We are constantly blowing the horn to warn people."
"Risk exists anytime moving equipment is involved," said Butch Geverola, ASG-QA safety manager. "Forklift operators without proper training put themselves at risk, as well as everyone around them – public safety becomes a major issue once they enter a roadway. Fortunately, unit safety representatives and leaders are quick to identify risks in their areas – regardless of the situation, they're always thinking about safety and accomplishing this milestone proves it."
The record-breaking safety period indicates a well-organized and communicated commitment to provide a safe venue for the only authorized U.S. Central Command rest and recuperation pass program; recharging over 175,000 USCENTCOM war fighters since its 2004 inception. For the program to truly succeed, participants must obtain a rewarding respite in an atmosphere safe from avoidable accidents.
"There are numerous risks involved with troops here for rest and relaxation," said Geverola. "Trips to enjoy water sports present many possibilities. While enjoying their pass, it's easy for servicemembers to unconsciously put safety on the back seat. It's important for their leaders to identify dangerous situations when this happens. R&R is not a time to stop watching out for each other."
"A well thought out risk assessment comes first," he said, "before engaging in any mission or recreational outing. Camp As Sayliyah unit safety representatives are responsible for teaching ways to identify hazards, implement controls, supervise outcomes and re-evaluate for compliance and effectiveness. Steadfast support from leaders is the backbone of a safety program's success."
"In the end, maintaining safe work environments is all about attitude," said Geverola. "At Camp As Sayliyah, encouraging a safe attitude begins at orientation. I hope everyone takes this philosophy to their units back home."
| Date Taken: | 03.03.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 03.03.2009 10:42 |
| Story ID: | 30680 |
| Location: | CAMP AS SALIYAH, QA |
| Web Views: | 597 |
| Downloads: | 520 |
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