ROUTINE
R 041940Z FEB 99
FM COMNAVSAFECEN NORFOLK VA//00//
TO ALSAFE
UNCLAS //NO5100//
ALSAFE 004/99
MSGID/GENADMIN/COMNAVSAFECEN/40-021/FEB//
SUBJ/OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF MIND//
REF/A/DOC/OPNAVINST 5100.23D//
REF/B/DOC/OPNAVINST 5100.25A//
AMPN/REF A IS NAVOSH PROGRAM MANUAL, REF B IS NAVY RECREATION,
ATHLETICS AND HOME SAFETY PROGRAM//
RMKS/ 1. MOST NAVAL INSTALLATIONS ARE WELL AWARE OF THE SAFETY
CONCERNS ASSOCIATED WITH THE VARIOUS INDUSTRIAL HAZARDS PRESENT
ABOARD THEIR BASES. WHAT ABOUT FACILITIES NOT NORMALLY LABELLED
AS INDUSTRIAL AREAS? BASE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES CAN AND DO
CONTAIN JUST AS MANY HAZARDS AS A MACHINE SHOP OR TRANSPORTATION
CENTER. WOODWORKING HOBBY SHOPS AND POOLS ARE JUST A COUPLE OF
EXAMPLES. IN SOME CASES THESE FACILITIES ARE LOCATED A FAIR DISTANCE
FROM THE BASE OR IN SECLUDED AREAS. AS SUCH, DAY TO DAY VISIBILITY
OF THESE FACILITIES IS OFTEN LIMITED TO JUST THE PERSONNEL WHO WORK
THERE AND THEIR PATRONS. PAST NAVAL SAFETY CENTER SURVEYS HAVE
REVEALED THAT, IN SOME INSTANCES, ATTENTION TO SAFETY CONCERNS AT
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES HAS FALLEN SHORT OF THE MARK. THE RECENT
DEATH OF A SAILOR WORKING AT AN MWR CAMPGROUND HAS HEIGHTENED THE
NEED FOR INCREASED AWARENESS.
2. A PRUDENT AND EFFECTIVE NAVOSH PROGRAM DOES NOT EXCLUDE ANY
PORTION OF A PARTICULAR FACILITY. ANNUAL OVERSIGHT INSPECTIONS ARE
A REQUIRED ELEMENT OF REF A. IF TREND ANALYSES INDICATE AREAS OF
CONCERN, REF B REQUIRES MORE FREQUENT INSPECTIONS OF MWR FACILITIES
TO ENSURE PATRON SAFETY. MOREOVER, SUPERVISORS OF THESE FACILITIES
MUST ENSURE THE REQUIREMENTS AND INTENT OF THE NAVOSH PROGRAM ARE
BEING FULLY MET. A COMMON SHORTFALL NOTED IN MANY OF THESE REMOTE
LOCATIONS IS THE FAILURE TO PROVIDE TRAINING FOR PATRONS WHO ARE
EXPOSED TO THE VERY SAME HAZARDS AS PAID EMPLOYEES. THIS PLACES
THEM IN HARM'S WAY SINCE THEY DO NOT HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE NECESSARY TO
REDUCE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH VARIOUS TASKS. SUPERVISORY OVERSIGHT
IS ESSENTIAL TO MINIMIZE MISHAPS.
3. THE NAVAL SAFETY CENTER CAN PROVIDE A NO COST LOOK AT AN
ACTIVITY'S RECREATIONAL AND OFF DUTY SAFETY PROGRAM. THIS SERVICE
WILL GIVE A COMMAND AN HONEST ASSESSMENT OF HOW SOUND THEIR PROGRAM
ACTUALLY IS. RECREATIONAL AND OFF DUTY SAFETY SURVEYS CAN BE
REQUESTED THROUGH MR. MICHAEL BROWNLEY COMM (757)444-3520 X7181.
DSN 564-3520 X7181.//
BT
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