Risk Management Magazine

Safety professionals in the U.S. Army often face the challenge of communicating the importance of safety to commanders who may not fully appreciate its critical role in mission success. Overcoming these communication obstacles requires a strategic approach that emphasizes the tangible benefits of safety, aligns safety initiatives with mission objectives and leverages data-driven insights.

Hazardous materials (HAZMAT) include a wide variety of substances that can be harmful to human health, the environment and property if appropriate considerations are not taken when handling. These materials can range from nuclear to chemical or biological and be found as common household items or in industry.

The true danger of normalizing deviance lies in its subtlety. Initially, deviations might seem minor and inconsequential. Examples include skipping a procedural step due to a time crunch, deferring a minor maintenance procedure because "it's never caused a problem before" or bending the rules on driver training due to competing priorities.