In the late, sweltering days of August, safety was the hot topic at Rock Island Arsenal, Ill. From August 24th to the 26th, the Joint Munitions Command and the Army Sustainment Command co-sponsored a safety conference.

The conference objectives were to bring together safety personnel for a learning opportunity and to address specific workplace safety topics. Speakers and facilitators encouraged attendees from across the country to ask questions and to share their experiences regarding workplace safety.

Day one offered such weighty safety topics as risk communication, behavioral-based safety, ammunition and explosives safety training standards, decontamination standards and guidance, and OSHA updates.

Tim Gallagher, Chief, Safety Division of the U.S. Army Joint Munitions Command, spoke on behavioral-based safety. He stressed that behavior is the cause of accidents resulting in personal injury in the workplace. Gallagher said, "When I first started working in safety, I was instructed to look for people doing things wrong. People got real good at hiding things."

These days, the focus is on positive goals and objectives. "Catch someone doing things right. Use positive reinforcement," Gallagher said. Rewards and recognition are simple yet effective ways to reinforce safety. For example, give a worker a pack of gum when you see him or her following safety rules. Gallagher said, "You'd be surprised at how proud a worker can be about receiving a pack of gum in recognition of doing something right."

Other ways to recognize adherence to safety may include "Safety Employee of the Week/Month" certificates or parking spaces, and awarding time off.

Gallagher emphasized that leadership must be committed to providing motivation and resources for workers. Employees must feel comfortable and confident in reporting safety problems and employee involvement allows workers to develop and express their commitment to safety and health issues in the workplace.

"The health and safety of the workforce is just as important as the fabrication of the product," Gallagher said.

During days two and three of the safety conference, attendees learned about topics such as accident reporting and investigation, safety automation issues, hazardous effects of radiation on ordnance, and industrial hazards from non-explosive operations, to name a few.

Even as the summer and scorching temperatures wane, workplace safety is sure to remain a notable concern for JMC and ASC personnel.