Implementing a viable safety program Published Oct. 20, 2010 By Neil Townley 17th Training Wing Safety Office GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Who's responsible for your safety? The obvious answer would be you, however, the Air Force does assign specific responsibilities when it comes to your safety and the safety programs at work. The commander is ultimately responsible for safety but needs assistance from two key players: you and your supervisor. Airmen are on the front line when it comes to keeping themselves safe and government property damage free. You are also responsible for complying with applicable safety standards - the ones that already exist and the ones that are identified through risk management processes. Supervisors are responsible for knowing the standards and passing them on to their subordinates in accordance with Air Force 91-204 and 91-202, and Air Education and Training Command supplements. Goodfellow Air Force Base Instructions 91-204 and 91-201 further clarify these requirements and levy the responsibility to the section supervisor. Some of the key roles that supervisors oversee are mishap reporting, safety training, hazard identification and information dissemination. Supervisors must report all mishaps that happen to their personnel or property with AETC Form 435. Even mishaps that seem insignificant can provide the wing safety office with valuable information during a trend analysis. Section supervisors implement safety training with an initial safety briefing with new employees (known as the Job Safety Training Outline). This briefing and all other safety, fire or health training, is documented on the Air Force Form 55. Section supervisors are required to assess the job environment and work center tasks for hazards. There should be monthly spot inspections and shop safety briefings that are documented and kept for at least one year. Section supervisors need to ensure that a proactive mishap prevention program is in place and tailored to the work center. This is done with monthly documentation of safety briefings and the maintenance of AETC Forms 410, High Risk Activities Worksheet; 29A, Newcomer Safety Briefing; and 29B, Pre-departure Safety Briefing. Employees can help their section supervisor succeed by understanding their responsibilities and by being aware of all the hazards in their work area.
