Figure 5-1.-Safety organization.
evaluates trends; analyzes data; and promotes safety
damage. A safety program is based on the issuing of
strategies and mishap prevention techniques. By
definition the safety officer, advisor, or manager
interfaces with all levels of the organization to help
management and workers achieve a safe and healthful
workplace.
Setting a safety example is contagious.
Management must demonstrate to all levels of the
organization its motivation and commitment to safety.
It must issue policy and work closely with safety
councils and committees to decrease hazards. Real
mishap rate reductions result in improved effectiveness
and cost savings. Management must be committed to
this improvement and must allocate resources for
mishap prevention. Managements efforts must be
convincing to get workers to cooperate and make safe
operating decisions.
COMMAND SAFETY PROGRAMS
In the previous paragraphs you learned about the
history of safety programs and the function of the Naval
Safety Center. We will now discuss command safety
programs and the responsibilities of each person.
The objective of a safety program is to enhance
operational readiness by reducing mishap-related
personnel deaths and injuries and material losses and
general safety precautions to each individual in the
command. These precautions include instructions about
mishap prevention and special hazards encountered in
the daily work environment. Supervision in matters of
safety includes continuing action and command interest
in mishap prevention and, finally, evaluation of the
effectiveness of the program.
Safety Responsibilities
The responsibility and authority for the
administration of a safety program lie within the normal
unit organization. Figure 5-1 shows a typical safety
organization.
Safety, much like training, is a command
responsibility that must be carried out through the chain
of command. Each level of command and supervision
has safety responsibilities, both in training and in
day-to-day supervision of both routine and specialized
tasks. The safety program is the key to a safe workplace
for the crew. The planned and coordinated activities of
the crew as teams and subteams result in an effective
safety program.
The commanding officer has the final responsibility
for all safety matters within the unit. To provide
day-to-day staff assistance, the commanding officer
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