Critical Days of Summer

by Mr. Wayne Bendall
AMC/SEG

5/5/2014 - Summer 2014 -- This year's Critical Days of Summer (CDS) safety campaign will run from 1600 Friday 23 May - 0700 Tuesday 2 September. The Air Force theme for this year's campaign is "Risk: Double Checks; Not Second Thoughts." The AMC campaign kickoff vehicle will be a video providing the AMC/CC and CCC an opportunity to address safety, both on and off duty. To see the video, go to http://www.amc.af.mil/mobilityforum.asp. This year's campaign again focuses on traffic safety, as motor vehicle mishaps continue to be the leading cause of death to our Airmen. That comes as no surprise when we see causal factors remain the same year in and year out--excessive speed, drinking and driving, distractions, and poor risk management.

While commanders and supervisors play a key role, family, friends, and coworkers are usually the final barrier between a good time and life-impacting disaster. It is extremely important that they (1) recognize when things are getting out of hand and (2) not be reluctant to step forward and intervene when the situation calls for it. It is too late after the fact.

Ten AMC Airmen have lost their lives over the past five summer campaigns--all as the result of motor vehicle mishaps. Excessive speed was listed as a causal factor in nine of those, with alcohol doubling as a causal factor in six. Another growing threat to safe vehicle operations is distracted driving. Texting, talking on a cell phone, or adjusting the radio takes your focus away from the road and can lead to a serious mishap.

Last summer, both of our fatalities were the result of motorcycle mishaps. Whether you're a lifelong rider or just starting out, recognition of risks is the key to a safe, enjoyable experience. Take advantage of specialized training courses offered on or near your base, wear approved protective gear at all times, and make smart, risk-based decisions. Above all, remain on the lookout for other vehicles in traffic; the joy you're experiencing can become a tragedy in an instant.

Aside from those two fatalities, there were also 129 non-fatal accidents in AMC last summer. Most occurred off duty and involved various outdoor activities such as water sports, backyard cookouts, and other recreational events. Many times, they are near misses that could have been much worse.

This year's campaign will provide safety information using a series of modules that highlight safety concerns during each week of the campaign. Contact your local safety office for flyers promoting each of these weeks.

We must also be diligent when it comes to on-duty safety. Sadly, two Airmen died in separate on-duty cargo handling operations last year, and another Airman suffered a severed fingertip while loading a pallet. For jobs that don't have tech orders outlining each step, a job safety analysis is required to identify potential hazards and develop safe procedures. Also, don't engage in practices that haven't been reviewed and approved. At the same time, if written guidance is no longer valid, don't hesitate to change it for a better, safer process.

"Bottom line, take a thorough look at all of your processes to ensure every risk has been identified and mitigated," said Mr. Joe Hughes, Chief of AMC Ground Safety.

Let's enjoy the summer, but remember that our safety matters to family, friends, and coworkers. "Risk: Double Checks; Not Second Thoughts."

• Week 1 National Lampoon's Vacation
• Week 2 In the Line of Fire
• Week 3 Zero Tolerance
• Week 4 Traffic
• Week 5 The World's Greatest Athlete
• Week 6 The Jerk
• Week 7 Wild Hogs
• Week 8 Iron Man
• Week 9 The River Wild
• Week 10 Some Like It Hot
• Week 11 The Big Sleep
• Week 12 On the Waterfront
• Week 13 Singin' in the Rain
• Week 14 American Flyers
• Week 15 One Foot in Heaven
  
  NOTE: Units have the latitude of promoting these in any order to meet their individual needs.