7LRS/ATermOps

DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas – Tech. Sgt. Juan Cruz, 7th Logistics Readiness Squadron, takes a break from his 12-hour night shift to hydrate during the 7th Bomb Wing Operational Readiness Exercise here Sept. 6. The wing safety office recommends Airmen drink at least 10 to 12 eight-oz. glasses of water during any shift in order to avoid heat stress. Airmen who work longer-than-average shifts or who have larger body mass should drink even more. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Carolyn Viss)

7LRS/ATermOps

DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas – 2nd Lt. Justin Coffey, 7th Logistics Readiness Squadron Air Terminal Operations officer-in-charge, carries personal protective equipment and wears reflective gear in the cargo yard here Sept. 6. Any time Airmen are near loud or heavy equipment, the wing safety office says they should use hearing protection, wear steel-toed boots, and carry gloves. Airmen are also required to wear reflective gear 30 minutes prior to sundown and 30 minutes after sunrise. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Carolyn Viss)

Safety 'paramount' to a successful exercise, inspection

Published Sept. 7, 2008
By Senior Airman Carolyn Viss
7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Working long shifts in the hot sun during the Operational Readiness Exercises and upcoming inspection can take a toll on Airmen, and in order to successfully deploy jets and personnel, Airmen must use good operational risk management.

Safety practices that should be implemented at all times include wearing personal protective equipment - ear plugs, gloves and boots in industrial areas, and reflective gear - and drinking plenty of water, according to the 7th Bomb Wing safety office.

"Situational awareness is paramount," said Master Sgt. Greg Anderson, 7th BW ground safety manager. "Without safety consciousness, Airmen - from the wing commander to an airman basic on the flightline - cannot deploy Airmen and jets to support our combatant commanders, which is the ultimate objective and task."

The biggest safety concern the wing has dealt with so far during OREs is hydration.

"So far during this exercise, we've had two Airmen fall out of the PDF line because of heat stress and dehydration," Lt. Col. Annatta Sullivan, 7th Medical Operations Squadron commander, reported.

That is about average for an ORE, Sergeant Anderson said.

"Be aware of your body's requirements, because working 12-hour shifts can take a toll on you," Sergeant Anderson said. "You have to start drinking plenty of water long before your shift starts."

Supervisors can help prevent dehydration emergencies by engaging with their Airmen on a regular basis to make sure they're not suffering from heat exhaustion and by making sure that water is available in the work place, he said.

"This is really where the wingman concept comes into play," Sergeant Anderson continued. "Remind each other to drink water, and be your [coworker's] eyes and ears if they're occupied with a task."

Think about the environment you're in, he continued. With engines running and aircraft moving all around, it's easy to get focused on the mission and forget to take care of yourself and your wingman.

"If you're working a night shift, toward the end of your shift your body may be fighting fatigue," Sergeant Anderson said. "But if you have good situational awareness, you can protect yourself and your wingman from anything at all times. That will prevent injuries and mishaps and enable us to engage the way we should."