SGT. 1ST CLASS ANDREW POIRIER
Joint Force Headquarters
Arkansas Army National Guard
North Little Rock, Arkansas

Recently, I accepted a position as the post safety specialist. Just before starting, however, I made one of the most common on-the-job mistakes — rushing to complete a task.

At my installation, I am one of two Rough Terrain Cargo Handler (RTCH) operators. For those unfamiliar with the RTCH, it is a large equipment handler used to move 20- and 40-foot ISO containers. I was unloading 20-foot containers and setting them aside to load with company equipment when the noncommissioned officer in charge (NCOIC) approached me with a problem at the installation’s front gate. The military police had arrested a civilian semi-truck driver for having drugs in his vehicle. The driver had been delivering another ISO container, and the company that owned the truck said the earliest they could move it would be the following day. Being a motivated Soldier, I told the NCOIC that I could easily remove the container from the truck and take it to the motor pool.

The NCOIC asked if I could even fit the RTCH into the front gate parking area. I told him I could and did it with ease. What I failed to consider was the height of the power lines compared to the RTCH’s overall height while carrying the container. “No problem,” I thought, “I’ll just grab another trustworthy NCO to ground guide me out of this tight situation.” Unfortunately, no matter how good your ground guide is, you cannot make power lines any taller.

As I maneuvered out of the front gate area with the 20-foot container, I heard a loud bang and saw a bright flash. The RTCH had struck a power line, which fell to the ground and immediately ignited the dry grass below. My ground guide was able to put out the flames, but the MPs still notified the fire department to ensure they were fully extinguished. All of this happened at the main gate, with a long line of vehicles waiting to exit the post.

My supervisor quickly arrived on the scene, drawn by the fact that the entire installation had just lost power. In my haste, I had not only created a traffic jam and started a fire, but I had also caused a post-wide blackout. The facilities manager had to initiate an emergency work order to get the power company on post to repair the line. The rest of my day was spent finding another method to recover the ISO container and writing a report detailing the damage I caused.

During the immediate investigation and after-action review, I learned my ground guide did not have a clear view of the container. In hindsight, I should have used two ground guides due to the various obstacles in the area. However, the true moral of the story is never rush to complete a job or task. Had I taken the time to use the risk management process, this mishap would have been avoided. When we focus on the end result rather than the steps required to get there safely, we are more likely to make mistakes. Fortunately, this close call only led to a temporary power outage and some burnt grass, not a Soldier’s injury or death.

FYI

Ground guides are a vehicle operator’s eyes when maneuvering equipment in areas of limited visibility. Therefore, ground guiding a vehicle is one task where training and coordination between the two is paramount. For successful operations, follow these simple steps:

• All drivers and other unit personnel will be trained to standard in the correct use of ground guides and ground-guiding operations.
• Always use ground guides when backing and when in congested areas.
• When traveling in a field environment during periods of limited visibility, ground guides will be used. Drivers will keep ground guides in view at all times.
• Ground guides will be used in bivouac and assembly areas.
• Two ground guides will be used when vision is restricted. Ground guides should never walk backward and never get between two vehicles.
• During periods of limited visibility or darkness, ground guides will be equipped with suitable lights. (Don't forget extra batteries, if applicable.)
• Ground guides will use hand signals. Voice signals can be misunderstood or go unheard.
• Ground guides will also:
  • Keep a proper distance from the vehicle (10 yards).
  • Give signals only to the vehicle driver.
  • Stay out of the path of travel.
  • Stay in the driver’s line of sight.
  • Keep to the side and front (or rear) of the vehicle (driver’s side is best).
  • Clear themselves, clear the vehicle and, finally, give the command to move the vehicle.

For additional information on ground-guiding procedures, see Army Techniques Publication 4-11, Army Motor Transport Operations; Training Circular 21-305-20, Manual for the Wheeled Vehicle Operator; Training Circular 21-306, Tracked Combat Vehicle Driver Training; Training Circular 3-21.60, Visual Signals; and the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center’s website at https://safety.army.mil/ON-DUTY/Government-Motor-Vehicle/Ground-Guiding.