OTIS AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Mass. -- The 102nd Intelligence Wing Safety Office recently won the 2019 Air National Guard, Director of Safety Award for Outstanding Achievement in Occupational Safety.
The award recognizes the top out of 90 Air National Guard wings and validates a strong and consistent safety program, year after year.
Occupational Safety, also commonly referred to as Occupational Health and Safety, is a multidisciplinary field concerned with the safety, health, and welfare of people at work.
“In addition, in the military we care a great deal with our Airmen and Families at home, so we can add ‘home safety’ to that as well”, said John Noland, 102nd Intelligence Wing Director of Safety. “The goal of occupational safety and health programs is to foster a safe and healthy work environment, protect co-workers, family members, employers, customers, and many others who might be affected or visit any particular workplace environment. In common-law jurisdictions, employers have a common law duty to take reasonable care of the safety of their employees.”
Noland was quick to point out that a successful safety program is inherently a team effort. “Safety is everyone’s responsibility. However, depending on position, experience, type of environment – that will dictate the level of responsibility one may have.”
Although the safety program is a commander’s program, Noland also points out that the unit safety representatives are the key to supporting the commanders in their responsibilities. “Unit safety representatives are the heartbeat of their flight, squadron or group! They are the Wing Safety Office’s point of contact and their commander’s representative. They are very important to the success of the program.”
In closing, Noland had some simple, easy to remember advice – he said, “Consistently practice risk management and believe in common sense.”