Decemburr Safety Brief

1. Decemburr Safety Brief

2. From the Sentinel • Accidents are caused by human error • Slippery Roads • Importance of Safety Officer in Squadrons • Sentinel Article Review • Holidays Hazards • Accident review

3. Human Errors • Preflight your equipment and eliminate the “machine” as a risk factor • Understand that with good equipment in proper working order, it’s “us” the human element that cause all accidents • Think “safety first” which is another way to say “manage risk” to preload your brain prior to the mission • Brief thoroughly, anticipate the hard parts, maintain good situational awareness, and use a team approach to problem solving and decision making • Train a lot and be proficient

4. Slippery Roads • When roads are dry for long periods with a lot of traffic, then become wet after a rain, they become slippery. • NM is a case in point. Vehicle detritus (rubber, liquids, etc.,) that “cures” onto a road surface in dry weather, reverts to greased owl poop when wet. • Be cautious when driving in wet conditions

5. The Good Ole Safety Guy • Each CAP unit has a safety guy/gal . • They’ve usually been around for awhile, and knows a lot about the unit, its people, and equipment. • They wear a white hat, i.e., he/she’s a good guy • They are responsible for maintaining safety awareness within the unit, tracking accidents, making reports, monitoring the operation, reading safety stuff, and communicating the safety message in monthly safety meetings • Commanders and members: use this person as an important asset in your operation

6. Sentinel Article Review • National reminds us that over the last year, numerous articles have been published that would bear re-reading • They cited numerous subjects related to mishap prevention: • Distractions, Safety Reporting, “It could happen to you,” Risk Reduction/decision making, “Look Ma, No Hands,” are just a few • Take a few minutes and peruse the National Website under Safety and see if this info might be useful

7. Holiday Safety • From the fire department, here are a few reminders: • Use only flame resistant/retardant or non-combustible decorations • Keep candles at least 3 feet from anything that burns, don’t leave them unattended • UL tested electrical decorations only • Only 2 or 3 strands of lights to a socket • Don’t cook unattended • Don’t burn trash in the fireplace • Water the dead or dying tree and remove it after 2 weeks • Don’t use electrical lights on a metal tree • Turn off lights at bedtime • Smoke Alarms – have a lot, with good batteries • Have and practice your family home escape plan • Have the old dead tree picked up rather than burning it.

8. CAP Accidents • Two hangar rashes: rudder vs. wing and hangar door closed on tail • Elevator hit tie down while being pushed into hangar • Glider missed runway, hit light • Practice dead engine approach led a/c to impacting runway on mains with nose too high, resulting in tail damage • Vehicle ran off road • Cadet passed out in formation, hit ground, got lacerated, chipped teeth, and broke jaw • Senior Member broke arm in tug of war.