SAFETY ORGANIZATION

The NMCB's safety organization provides for the establishment of safety policy and control and reporting. As illustrated in figure 1-4, the battalion safety policy organization contains several committees: policy; supervisors'; and equipment, shop, and crew.

The executive officer presides over the safety policy committee. Its primary purpose is to develop safety rules and policy for the battalion. This committee reports to the commanding officer, who approves all changes in safety policy.

The battalion safety officer presides over the safety supervisors' committee. This committee includes safety supervisors assigned by company commanders, project officers, or officers in charge of a detail. Basically, it helps the safety officer manage an effective overall safety and health program. The committee provides a convenient forum for work procedures, safe practices, and safety suggestions. Its recommendations are sent to the policy committee.

The equipment, shop, and crew committees are assigned as required and are usually presided over by the company or project safety supervisor. The main

Figure 1-4.-NMCB safety policy organizaton.

objective of this committee is to propose changes in the battalion's safety policy to eliminate unsafe working conditions or prevent unsafe acts. It is your contact for recommending changes in safety matters. In particular, the equipment committee reviews all vehicle mishap reports, determines the cause of each mishap, and recommends corrective action. As a crew leader, you can expect to serve as a member. Each committee forwards reports and recommendations to the safety supervisors' committee.

SAFETY DUTIES

As a crew leader, you will report to the safety supervisor, who directs the safety program of a project. The safety supervisor is inherently responsible for all personnel assigned to that shop or project. Some of the duties include indoctrinating new crewmembers, compiling mishap statistics for the project, reviewing mishap reports submitted to the safety office, and comparing safety performances of all crews.

The crew leader is responsible for carrying out safe working practices. This is done under the direction of the safety supervisor or others in positions of authority (project chief, project officer, or safety officer). You, as the crew leader, ensure that each crewmember is thoroughly familiar with these working practices, has a general understanding of pertinent safety regulations, and makes proper use of protective clothing and safety equipment. Furthermore, you should be ready at all times to correct every unsafe working practice you observe, and report it immediately to the safety supervisor or the person in charge. When an unsafe condition exists, any crew or shop member can stop work until the condition is corrected.

In case of a mishap, make sure injured personnel get proper medical care as quickly as possible. Investigate each mishap involving crewmembers to determine its cause. Remove or permanently correct defective tools, materials, and machines. Do the same for environmental conditions contributing to a mishap. Afterward, submit required reports.

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