Mitigating risks to ensure safety at Global Medic

FORT GORDON, GA, UNITED STATES

06.12.2009

Story by Maj. John Heil 

332nd Medical Brigade

FORT GORDON, Ga. — During Exercise Global Medic, which began June 6, safety officers have monitored a variety of operations and hazards that may affect operations. Though temperatures have been above 90 degrees at times, these officers have been able to mitigate risks to ensure Soldiers operate safely regardless of the circumstances.

"We check temperatures many times during the day at many locations," said Maj. Billy Wooten, safety officer for the 94th Combat Support Hospital, "We monitor Soldiers' workload, make sure that when they are working it's safe and monitor and enforce water intake."

"Temperature affects the body significantly when you consider the humidity and the heat," said Wooten, "It puts stress on the body and what we do is make sure that controls are implemented and enforced to mitigate risks, which ultimately reduces stress and prevents heat casualties."

"Safety is stressed at all command levels," said Wooten, "We follow risk assessment procedures according to the U.S. Army Safety Center."

"It's not just temperature that we consider," said 1st Lt. Tony Moody, "We look at anything that could potentially be a safety hazard to operations and Soldier safety." "For example, we look at vehicle operations, hospital operations and ensure the training sites were set up with safety in mind."

Some hazards monitored, include properly loading and unloading vehicles, wearing seatbelts, following the speed limit, and avoiding rear-end collisions from following too closely. They ensure that patients are moved safely throughout the hospital, that rest cycles are followed, that severe weather is tracked and that commanders understand the evacuation plan in case of severe weather.

"We also remind Soldiers that personnel hygiene in a field environment is important," said Wooten, "Simple hand washing after using the restroom can prevent the spread of communicable diseases."

Global Medic is the Army Reserve premier medical exercise. It is a joint exercise that coordinates the combined skills of the Army Reserve, Army National Guard, Army, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard and Marines. Col. James Snyder, 332nd Medical Brigade, Nashville, Tenn., has command and control of Army units participating in the exercise on Fort Gordon, Ga.

• Date Taken: 06.12.2009
• Date Posted: 06.12.2009 09:23
• Story ID: 34961
• Location: FORT GORDON, GA, US