appoints a safety officer. Using policies and goals
established by the commanding officer, the safety
officer formulates a safety program based on
OPNAVINST 3120.32B and the directives of higher
authority. The safety officer monitors the crews
activities and coordinates measures needed to keep the
program vital and visible to all hands. The evaluation of
the results of the program provides the commanding
officer with an appraisal of the units progress toward
mishap prevention goals. It also provides an assessment
of the effectiveness of the units safety program.
Safety Organization
The standard unit organization for a safety program
is based on OPNAVINST 3120.32B, chapter 2.
Individual commands should also follow the guidelines
given in figure 5-1.
The purpose of the safety organization is to monitor
mishap prevention standards and evaluate the
effectiveness of the safety program. However, those
efforts must not relieve any person in the chain of
command of his or her assigned responsibilities. The
safety organization should also coordinate the
distribution of safety information regarding general
mishap prevention, motor vehicle safety, and
recreational safety. It has the following additional
responsibilities:
Monitoring submission of mishap/injury/safety
reports
Analyzing mishap and injury data to determine
trends and ensure the effectiveness of corrective
action
Detecting and reporting safety hazards and
violations
Monitoring all corrective action on safety items
Maintaining liaison with outside commands in
matters of mishap prevention
The primary responsibility for safety lies in the
chain of command and rests with the appropriate
members of the administrative and watch organizations.
SAFETY OFFICER. The safety officer normally
has department head status and seniority and is assigned
directly under the executive officer. However, he or she
has direct access to the commanding officer in matters
of safety. This person is responsible for carrying out a
comprehensive safety program based on objectives
established by the commanding officer. The safety
officer is responsible for promoting maximum
cooperation in safety matters at all levels. He or she
ensures wide distribution of safety information and
monitors the submission of required safety reports to
ensure accuracy and timeliness. He or she also maintains
appropriate safety records and statistics. The safety
officer may be military or civilian and the head of a
safety department, depending on the size and mission of
the command.
The safety officer collaborates with all department
heads and department/division safety officers in matters
concerning safety.
DEPARTMENT SAFETY OFFICER. The
department safety officer is required to keep the
department head advised on the status of the
departments safety program within the unit. He or she
acts as the departmental point of contact for
coordinating and evaluating the ships safety program.
The department safety officer ensures that all hazardous
conditions revealed by safety hazard reports are
corrected. He or she keeps records of mishaps and safety
hazards within the department and maintains direct
liaison with the unit safety officer.
DIVISION SAFETY OFFICER. The division
officer is the designated safety officer for a particular
division. This person is responsible for keeping the
department safety officer advised on the status of the
safety program within the division. He or she is the point
of contact in coordinating and evaluating the divisions
safety program. The division safety officer usually
designates a senior petty officer, E-6 or above if
available, as division safety petty officer. The division
safety officer investigates divisional mishaps and
near-mishaps and makes sure division personnel
immediately correct the causes.
The division safety officer must make certain all
divisional personnel receive mishap prevention training.
DIVISION SAFETY PETTY OFFICER. The
division safety petty officer must become thoroughly
familiar with all safety directives and precautions
concerning the division. He or she conducts divisional
mishap prevention training and maintains appropriate
records. This individual also assists in investigations as
directed and makes recommendations concerning the
safety program. The division safety petty officer assists
the division officer in the execution of safety duties by
acting as a technical advisor on matters of mishap
prevention. He or she also serves on the enlisted safety
committee.
5-7