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.”

I thought working at Fort Drum, New York, for more than 18 years had given me a pretty good feel on how to gauge weather conditions. However, one winter day, my complacency and overconfidence made me question not only my “weather nose,” but also my sanity.

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.