Shaw starts new year with safety

Published Jan. 7, 2008
By Staff Sgt. Holly Brown
20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- It takes more than remembering to unplug the hairdryer or checking the tire pressure when it comes to safety. Airmen of the 20th Fighter Wing are entrusted with hazardous materials, $18 million aircraft and the lives of American citizens.

To kick off the new year, Col. James Post, 20th FW commander, hosted a safety day Jan. 2 at 8 a.m. in hanger 1200, where the wing was introduced the new 20th FW chief of safety, Lt. Col. James Wilkerson.

"I couldn't be prouder to be part of such an outstanding wing," he said.

Colonel Wilkerson briefed the wing on last year's safety statistics.

Last year Shaw had no Class A or Class B mishaps. Class A mishap is categorized by: cost of $1,000,000 or more, fatality, permanent total disability, or destruction or damage beyond economical repair to an Air Force aircraft. Class B mishap is categorized by: cost of $200,000 or more but less than $1,000,000, permanent partial disability, or inpatient hospitalization of three or more personnel.

Operating without any major mishaps is a significant accomplishment. However, Shaw also operates safely during day-to-day activities.

"The seatbelt use on Shaw is without a doubt the best I've ever seen," Colonel Wilkerson said. Shaw had a 99 percent rate for seatbelt use in 2007.

The colonel said ground safety is running beautifully, but he does have some goals for 2008.

"I want to put a face on safety," he said. "We will be out in the work areas asking what we can do to improve the environment for Airmen to be able to operate more safely."

The safety day is meant to be an opportunity for units to brainstorm ideas of how to make their workplace a safer environment. Colonel Wilkerson said he wanted to empower the units to come up with ideas because they know their workspace best.

"Whatever it takes to make the workplace safer, we will do -- whether it's protective equipment or environmental enhancement," he said.

The colonel's measurable goals for 2008 are to maintain zero Class A and B mishaps, reduce on-duty industrial mishaps by 50 percent, reduce Class C mishaps by 20 percent, and reduce motorcycle mishaps by 50 percent.

"It would be great if I could stand in front of the wing and say we're not going to have any accidents or DUIs in 2008, and that is certainly our goal, but we have to accept some level of inherent risk and mitigate that risk to an acceptable level with measurable, realistic goals," Colonel Wilkerson said.

The base usually holds three safety days each year, dedicated to reviewing and evaluating safety procedures. One of the days is a safety fair, scheduled in the spring, with information on everything from outdoor activities to installing a child safety seat.

For more information, contact 20th FW Safety at 895-1985.