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Base safety office offers winter weather tips

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Anthony Le
  • 178th Wing Public Affairs
SPRINGFIELD, Oho --  Despite having a reasonably warm winter so far this year, the 178th Wing base safety office reminded us that we had a worrying trend for winter related accidents during the last few years and offered tips on how to avoid cold-weather related mishaps such as slips and falls.

Senior Master Sgt. Gregory A. Angstadt, the base occupational safety manager, said that the wing had no winter related accidents in 2012. In 2013, 2014 and 2015 that figure jumped to 2, 4 and 5 respectively.

Breaking this rising trend and having zero winter related mishaps in winter 2016 2017 is the goal of the base safety office set. To help achieveing that goal, the office offered provided the following tips:
1. First and foremost, don't be in a hurry. Plan ahead and give yourself sufficient time to get from one place to another.
2. When walking on steps, always use the hand railings and plant your feet firmly on each step.
3. When walking on an icy or snow-covered walkway, take short steps and walk at a slower pace so you can react quickly to a change in traction.
4. Bending your knees a little and taking slower and shorter steps increases traction and can greatly reduce your chances of falling. It also helps to stop occasionally to break momentum.
5. Streets and sidewalks that have been cleared of snow and ice should still be approached with caution. Look out for "black ice." Dew, fog or water vapor can freeze on cold surfaces and form an extra-thin, nearly invisible layer of ice that can look like a wet spot on the pavement. It often shows up early in the morning or in areas that are shaded from the sun.
6. Carrying items can challenge your sense of balance. Try not to carry too much - you need to leave your hands and arms free to better balance yourself.
7. Be prepared to fall and try to avoid using your arms to break your fall. If you fall backward, make a conscious effort to tuck your chin so your head doesn't strike the ground with full force.
8. When entering a building, remove as much snow and water from your boots as you can.

Lt. Col. Scott Lee Jones, the chief of wing safety, said that accidents impact our missions and the safety office is doing everything it can for the well-being of our Airmen.

Tech. Sgt. Ray Adams, the occupational safety NCO, said that the safety office is doing its part by offering its presence to raise safety awareness as much as possible.

"We're just basically the focal point," said Adams. "The way to mitigate injuries, slips and falls is just our presence. The more we get out and the more we visit individual shops the more people keep safety in mind."

Lt. Col. Scott Lee Jones, the chief of wing safety, said that accidents impact our missions and the safety office is doing everything it can for the well-being of our Airmen.

"Safety and risk management should be in everyone's mind when we go about doing things," said Jones. "This helps making sure that you can make it to work happy, healthy and ready to do the mission."