Safety Council
The safety council convenes monthly to develop
recommendations for policy in safety matters and to
analyze the progress of the overall safety program. It is
composed of the commanding officer or executive
officer (chairperson), the unit safety officer (recorder,
when not the executive officer), the department heads,
and a medical department representative.
The units safety officer prepares an agenda in
advance of each meeting of the safety council. The
agenda shows the extent of any problem(s), the need to
take action, and suggests approaches to problem
resolution as submitted by the safety committee or any
other unit members. The safety council reviews all
statistics compiled by the safety officer and hears reports
from the medical department representative on injuries.
It also hears from department heads on all other mishaps
that occur within their departments. Further, it reviews
the recommendations of the enlisted safety committee
and, by endorsement of the commanding officer,
indicates those actions it is contemplating.
Enlisted Safety Committee
The enlisted safety committee makes
recommendations about unit safety programs to the
safety council. It also promotes interdepartmental
communication in mishap prevention at the division and
work center levels.
The enlisted safety committee consists of the units
safety officer (senior member), the division safety petty
officers, the chief master-at-arms, and a recorder.
The enlisted safety committee meets monthly to
exchange information, improve communications,
review safety conditions, and suggest improvements. It
also makes its views and recommendations known to the
safety council and commanding officer.
ELEMENTS OF THE UNIT SAFETY
PROGRAM
As a minimum, the unit safety program should
provide the following basic elements:
Safety standards and regulations
Mishap prevention education and training
Maintenance
Safety enforcement
Mishap investigating and reporting
Safety Standards and Regulations
Safety standards and regulations are based on
standard procedures and precautions designed to
minimize risks. These standards are based on guidance
and directives from higher authority. OPNAVINST
3120.32B, various unit instructions, technical
publications, watch instructions, and unit regulations all
contain these standards. The adequacy of safety
standards and regulations is monitored so that new
standards can be recommended to correct hazardous
conditions.
Mishap prevention Education and Training
The general unit training program and each
departmental training program contain systematic
approaches to the promotion of mishap prevention, both
in unit and off-duty activities. Maximum use is made of
educational material from outside sources such as Navy
training films, safety notes, and various publications
issued by the Naval Safety Center. Mishap prevention
education is tailored to the many variables involved in
the units schedule so as to effect interest at appropriate
times. A few examples are as follows:
Preparation for shipyard overhaul
Getting under way after a long in-port period
Seasonal weather changes or unusual weather
Unusual missions or operations
Mishap Investigation and Reporting
OPNAVINSTs 3750.16B and 5102.1C define the
terms mishap, near-mishap, and injury. These
instructions specify the conditions under which mishaps
and injuries must be reported to the Commander, Naval
Safety Center. The safety organization evaluates the
effectiveness of unit mishap investigations and
reporting procedures. That ensures established
procedures for identifying mishaps and determining
their causes are properly reported and issued to prevent
recurrence.
Mishap and injury reports required by higher
authority must be submitted according to current
OPNAV and fleet commander directives. The safety
office should retain a copy of all mishap and injury
reports.
Cognizant department heads and safety officers
must retain mishap and injury reports for statistical and
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