Risk Management Magazine

I immediately directed my recovery team, a group well-versed in recovery procedures but with limited real-world experience. Recognizing the training value and inherent risks of the situation, I decided to observe their actions firsthand.

This incident really stuck with me as a leader. I felt my lack of knowledge about the safety features of our welding equipment contributed to this Soldier’s injury. Since then, I have taken the time to reach out to multiple maintenance subject-matter experts to gain a better understanding of my Soldiers’ MOSs.

Fatigue can lead to unsafe practices, such as taking shortcuts or skipping steps in procedures, ignoring safety checks or making poor decisions in high-risk environments. When tired, even the most experienced personnel are more likely to cut corners. These shortcuts may save time in the moment, but they can increase the likelihood of injuries or deaths in training and operational missions.