Risk Management Magazine

It was 0800 when I heard the sirens. An aircraft mechanic fell off a stand while conducting maintenance on the flight line. The ambulance was on its way. As I headed to the scene, I thought, “This might be the one.”

From Fiscal Years (FY) 2020-24, an ineffective safety culture was one of the most cited causes of Army on-duty mishaps. Creating a positive safety culture is essential to ensuring the well-being of Soldiers and civilian employees, as well as the overall success of an organization in supporting the Army’s mission. A strong safety culture not only reduces preventable mishaps that result in personnel loss due to injuries or damage to equipment, but also boosts productivity, morale and organizational efficiency.

Many aviation mishaps or near misses result from a failure to practice procedures that have been taught since the beginning of pilot training. As time passes and we gain experience, sometimes these foundational elements become easily overlooked. If so, the results can be catastrophic. As the mission evolves and the timeline condenses, it’s essential to not overlook these keystone elements to ensure the job is done safely and successfully.