‘Quest for Zero’ debuts with focus on risk management

By Senior Master Sgt. Gary Wright, Air Force Safety Center / Published October 06, 2014

KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (AFNS) -- Air Force Ground Safety introduces the ‘Quest for Zero’ campaign to focus on risk management and on-duty safety.

The campaign is designed for every Airman, in all career fields, to raise awareness of the hazards they face every day, at work and at home.

"Readiness is paramount to the mission," said Maj. Gen. Kurt Neubauer, the Air Force chief of safety, "and the safety of every Airman is critical to ensuring that readiness."

Quest for Zero will highlight different career fields each month, beginning with maintenance in October.

"Safety is a priority in all career fields at all levels, every day," said Bill Parsons, the Air Force chief of ground safety. "Awareness of the hazards is the first step in mitigation and risk management to preserve our most valuable asset - our Airmen."

There were 381 maintenance mishaps resulting in injury in fiscal year 2013. Of those, the top three injury types were sprains/strains, fractures, and open wounds. The campaign will highlight recurring mishaps and encourage use of risk management and mitigation techniques such as:

• Wear of appropriate personal protective equipment

• Keep work areas clear of obstructions and hazards

• Make work platforms available when possible

• Use safety pins and devices that secure hoods, hatches, doors and ramps

• Maintain situational awareness and communicate with co-workers

• Follow procedures outlined in Air Force instructions and technical orders

"When Airmen embrace the Quest for Zero motto - my job, my life, my choice - they are, in a real way, fulfilling their commitment to mission success," Parsons said.