WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio – Protecting almost 30,000 base personnel from injury and harm, the 88th Air Base Wing Safety office has an exceptional safety program, and it does not go unrecognized.
“We are protecting people and preserving resources from loss due to accidents through risk management,” said 88th Air Base Wing Safety director Bill Neitzke.
Neitzke and his team strive to minimize risks and hazards on the installation through facility inspections, education programs and training.
“When we conduct inspections, we look at programs and facilities and try to help identify hazards before they become a problem,” said Neitzke. “We also conduct investigations in mishaps, figure out the circumstances how it happened, and share lessons learned to help prevent it from happening again.”
The safety office has a staff of 14 divided into four departments covering weapons, aviation and occupational safety, along with managing the Voluntary Protection Program.
The weapons safety office ensures the proper procedures, handling and transporting of ammunition and explosives whether it be on the ground or in the air. As examples, if an aircraft carrying those types of materials should land on Wright-Patterson AFB, the weapons safety office will ensure there is a clear zone for the aircraft to land and park. They also assist the 788th Civil Engineer Squadron’s Explosives Ordinance Disposal flight to ensure explosives are being transported and handled properly. Additionally they validate the ammunition for organizations such as Security Forces and Honor Guard are properly stored and the proper licensing and certifications are maintained.
The aviation safety office is responsible for keeping aircraft safe on the airfield. In conjunction with the United States Department of Agriculture, they make sure wildlife stay clear of the airfield to avoid potential mishaps. The office is also responsible for educating the private and commercial aviation community on mid-air collision avoidance and air traffic at the installation. The aviation safety has a six-state area of responsibility for interim safety board capability and is ready to assist in the area in the event of an accident of an Air Force aircraft.
The occupational safety office makes an impact on the entire workforce on Wright-Patt. The office provides program assessments and conducts facility inspections for more than 900 facilities to ensure the safety of those occupants. Whether it is driving on the base, walking in a parking lot or working in the office, occupational safety covers all those aspects to ensure that environment is as safe as possible.
A program Neitzke is proud to boast about is their Voluntary Protection Program.
“VPP recognizes the top one-tenth of safety programs in the United States and here at Wright-Patt, we have been recognized for our safety efforts and have received seven VPP star rated sites,” said Neitzke.
In 2006, the Air Force joined the efforts to achieve the safety standards of the Occupational Safety Health Administration’s VPP. Not long after, the Air Force Materiel Command embraced the initiative and it was then when Wright-Patterson AFB began the journey to achieve VPP star ratings.
VPP sets a standard for a comprehensive safety and health program along with creating a culture of safety and continuous improvement. To achieve a star status, the organization must go through a rigorous certification process and audit on their safety program conducted by OSHA.
The safety office also has a robust training and education program. They provide mandatory training for supervisors, local driving conditions for new employees at newcomer briefings and offers specialty safety trainings at events such as commander’s calls.
One notable and successful safety awareness event is the annual motorcycle safety day. Riders on the installation gather for a one-day event to receive all the necessary training needed as a motorcyclist on the installation. The event also includes skill-tests, motorcycle safety check followed by a 50-mile group ride.
When asked what was one of the mishaps that occurs the most?
Nietzke replied technology and prioritizing.
“There always seems to be an issue with technology and safety,” said Neitzke. “In addition, folks are not paying attention to what they are doing, and they are doing this by prioritizing other tasks,” said Neitzke. “As an example, a pedestrian or driver is looking on their cellphone, so they lose focus on what they are doing.”
Neitzke said it is going to take a change in culture along with personal discipline to reroute people’s way of prioritizing. As an example was the use of seatbelts and how long it took drivers and passengers to embrace it and take ownership of their own safety.
“Look at the circumstances and what you have control over,” he said. “For instance, I know it’s icy out, so when I got out of the car, did I look before I stepped out to see if it was icy? Or did I just hop out and slip on the ice? I can either do something about it or be a victim. When you choose to do that, you are allowing someone else to be responsible for your safety. So when you step out of the car, you should make sure you avoid stepping onto the ice. And if you see that it is unsafe, report it, don’t assume it already has been.”
For more information on actions you can take to create a safer environment at both work and at home, go to:
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: https://www.nhtsa.gov/
Occupational Safety and Health Administration: https://www.nhtsa.gov/
National Transportation Safety Board: https://www.ntsb.gov/
Air Force Safety Center: https://www.safety.af.mil/