Ga. Army National Guard RTS-M's Culture of Safety

Photo By Maj. Robert Walker | A National Guard Soldier practices safe welding techniques at the Regional Training Site-Maintenance at Fort Stewart, Ga.  

FORT STEWART, GA, UNITED STATES

05.02.2017

Story by Maj. Robert Walker 

Georgia National Guard

Accident prevention and safety programs are major considerations for military leaders. To mitigate the effects of hazards such as, machinery, chemicals and tools, Soldiers are required to wear personal protective equipment, train on the equipment they will use prior to operation, utilize risk management and adhere to procedures conducive to safe operations.

At any unit, the commander is the senior safety officer, but the appointed safety program manager is the key person in a successful safety program. At the Regional Training Site – Maintenance (RTS-M) on Fort Stewart, Ga., the safety program manager, Sergeant 1st Class Roger Lott has, since 2014, transformed the RTS-M safety program into one of the best programs in the Georgia Guard, leading to recognition for best practices during the 2016 U.S. Army Training and Doctrine command accreditation.

The success of the RTS-M's safety program is all the more remarkable given its mission. The RTS-M provides instruction in technical fields such as allied trades, wheeled vehicle recovery and power generation equipment repair to Guardsmen from multiple states. Ensuring safety in the training environment requires assessment and communication of hazards not only to instructors, but to a transient population of up to 350 students per year. How has this been achieved?

According to Lott, the essential element to the RTS-M safety program is creating a culture of safety within the unit. Simply put, a culture of safety is the attitude, beliefs, perceptions and values that Soldiers share in relation to promoting a safe environment in the workplace. A successful culture of safety is part of the organization, and at RTS-M Fort Stewart, is described as “the way we do things around here.” The RTS-M safety program is characterized by a mutual trust and a genuine concern for the care and safety of coworkers and students alike.

Within the RTS-M, safety communication occurs continually up and down the chain of command in order to analyze and optimize the program and share knowledge. Lott is at the core of the RTS-M safety program, continually studying processes and documenting safety deficiencies to prevent accidents through immediate corrective action. His actions and effective leadership as safety program manager have paid off, as the RTS-M received the Georgia Army National Guard Bronze Safety Award in 2015, the Georgia Army National Guard Silver Safety Award in 2016 and the Georgia Army National Guard Safety Streamer in 2017. The RTS-M is awaiting inspection for the Georgia Army National Guard Commanding General’s Safety Award.

In summary, a culture of safety is a commitment to discipline. The commitment must be sustained and equally important to every member of the team. Every team member must recognize the establishment of safety as a priority within the organization. Empowerment and communication at every level must be encouraged to foster a culture of safety.

Brigadier General Tom Carden, commanding general of the Georgia Army National Guard, noted the importance of a safety culture during a recent visit to RTS-M.

“Safety culture protects and conserves the force and is perceived as integral to accomplishing daily missions, training and contingency operations,” said Carden.

• Date Taken: 05.02.2017
• Date Posted: 05.02.2017 15:46
• Story ID: 232313
• Location: FORT STEWART, GA, US