USARC wins best in Army safety

Photo By Timothy Hale | Photo montage depicts U.S. Army Reserve Command's safety initiatives. The command's Safety Directorate was recently selected as winner of the Fiscal 2013 Army Headquarters Safety Award by the Secretary of the Army and the Army Chief of Staff. (Photo montage by Timothy L. Hale, U.S. Army Reserve Command)  

FORT BRAGG, NC, UNITED STATES

05.19.2014

Story by David San Miguel 

U.S. Army Reserve Command

FORT BRAGG, N.C. – Boasting a robust safety program and the lowest accident rate in the Army, the U.S. Army Reserve Command was recently named the winner of the Army Headquarters Safety Award for Fiscal 2013 by the Secretary of the Army and Army Chief of Staff.

Each year, the Army Chief of Staff recognizes units based on their success in accident prevention through safety and risk management initiatives.

“It’s the first time the Army Reserve has been the recipient of the award,” said Robert F. Jangro, Ph.D., USAR command safety director. “In fact, it’s the first time it’s been awarded to either of the Reserve components. So it’s quite an accomplishment.”

Jangro cited a number of successes that contributed to this achievement.

“It’s based on a myriad of things from accident injury rates, worker’s compensation costs, incentive programs and, most importantly, through total command involvement on the part of the Army Reserve,” he said.

Our program’s success is based on three pillars which sets it apart from other commands, Jangro said. The three pillars include his staff regularly evaluating the safety programs of down trace units; assisting and monitoring all major training events; and, promoting safety and risk management initiatives.

According to Jangro, these evaluations aren’t just “pencil and paper” checks.

“We train, mentor and coach,” he said, adding that this may include helping the unit develop effective programs it can use to execute its mission with minimal risk to personnel.

“It takes a lot of dedication and hard teamwork on the part of everyone in the Army Reserves, from the commanding general to the entire command group at Fort Belvoir (Va.) and here at Fort Bragg, to all the senior leaders, safety professionals and everyone who actively support the accident prevention efforts,” he said. “There’s an old saying – everyone is a safety officer and that’s how we look at it here.”

Though the command has an effective safety program, Jangro admits that there is always room for improvement.

“Our accident rates, right now, are the lowest they’ve ever been for the Army Reserve, especially in the area of fatalities,” Jangro said, adding that the command is still challenged by those accidents occurring during the other 28 days when the Soldier is not on a military duty status.

“Privately-owned vehicle accidents and personal injuries - that’s our challenge. That’s where the accidents continue to rise,” he said.

According to USARC safety statistics, 93 percent of the fatal accidents of reserve Soldiers occurred while not on duty status in fiscal 2013, a one percent increase from the previous year. This total included 33 Citizen-Soldiers; 16 of which were automobile and seven motorcycle-related. Since fiscal 2011, 106 Soldiers have been lost to such fatal accidents.

To address those losses, USARC has initiated a “Bring It Home” campaign to identify high-risk individuals, establish more accountability for these Soldiers and to encourage them to take those safety skills learned on duty home with them, Jangro said. The campaign also extends to educating Family members to
recognize hazards and emphasizes the use of the buddy system.

“Basically, the Army Reserve is great at teaching our Soldiers skills. Safety is ingrained in every standard that we do and that’s one reason why our accident rates are so low, but when the Soldiers go home, they set aside or forget those skills,” he said. “The purpose of this campaign is to remind them to take those safety skills learned while on duty status and to bring it home.”

Jangro illustrated how Soldiers can use available risk management tools learned while on duty to ensure the safety of their Families and friends, some of which include conducting vehicle maintenance checks; drivers’ training; risk assessments; and, route planning to identify rest and refueling points.

“Do the same thing. Check your vehicle, plan adequate rest stops along the way,” he said. “Bring It Home!”

• Date Taken: 05.19.2014
• Date Posted: 05.19.2014 08:28
• Story ID: 130250
• Location: FORT BRAGG, NC, US