Risk Management Magazine

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.

About 150 miles into our trip, the right-front tire blew, causing our car to spin at least three times before coming to a stop on the side of the road. My wife and I were scared to death, but no one was injured.

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.