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Safety blitz: Team Anderson excels during 101 Critical Days of Summer

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Shane Dunaway
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
Though it may seem like summer all year long in Guam, the 36th Wing safety office still recognizes the Air Force-wide ground safety trend analysis monitoring tool in place known as the 101 Critical Days of Summer.

The 101 Critical Days of Summer fall between the Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends and are a significant time of year where maintaining safety standards, especially in outdoor or recreational situations, become paramount, said Master Sgt. Jeffrey Oyer, 36th Wing ground safety manager. The safety office provides mishap prevention information and talks to members about mishaps through the "I Can Save My Own Life" initiative.

During the 2007 fiscal year, there were three reportable on-duty mishaps, according to a report written by the wing safety office. Of those mishaps, one incurred more than $84,000 in property damage and two resulted in more than $1,800 in lost time. By comparison, there were only two on-duty mishaps in the 2008 fiscal year, both involving military members resulting in $1,500 in lost time.

The wing also fared well in reportable off-duty mishaps. Only one occurred in FY 2008 compared to three for FY 2007. The off-duty mishap occurred while playing rugby and resulted in more than $3,700 in lost time.

There were no motorcycle mishaps and seatbelt usage was at 100 percent for FY 2008.
 
Areas for improvement in the wing's quest for safety supremacy include the near misses - non-reportable first aid injuries and miscellaneous injuries categories, which jumped from 27 incidents to 39 and zero to five, respectively. These incidents do not result in lost time, but are still a vital piece to the safety puzzle.

Many of these near misses can be avoided by following precise personal protective equipment instructions, maintaining situational awareness and hydrating before braving the heat, Sergeant Oyer said.

Although the wing has made improvements during the 101 Critical Days of Summer, Sergeant Oyer insists Team Andersen Airmen and civilians should not rest on their laurels.

Safety doesn't stop because of a successful 101 Critical Days of Summer campaign, Sergeant Oyer said. Halloween safety, deep fryer safety and Christmas season safety concerns are just around the corner.