Collaborative approach to safety

By Summer BarkleyJanuary 30, 2015

Collaborative approach to safety
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The Task Force Wrangler Safety Council met at Army Field Support Brigade Afghanistan on Jan. 15 to discuss unit safety programs, initiatives, successes and challenges. Four subordinate units briefed Chairman Lt. Col. Keith J. McVeigh, 4th Resolute Su... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Collaborative approach to safety
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sgt. 1st Class Teng Xiong-White, 4th Resolute Support Sustainment Brigade radiation safety officer, looks at an electrical adaptor that was shown and discussed at the Task Force Wrangler Safety Council meeting held at Army Field Support Battalion Afg... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan--The monthly Task Force Wrangler Safety Council meeting, held Jan. 15 at Army Field Support Battalion Afghanistan, provides a venue for unit representatives to report on safety programs, initiatives, training, successes and challenges. The forum facilitates cross-talk and mutual problem solving.

Council members and Chairman Lt. Col. Keith J. McVeigh, 4th Resolute Sustainment Support Brigade deputy commanding officer, were interested in an initiative reported by AFSBn-AFG contractor partner AC First. The program called 'Near Miss' is a no-fault, no-blame way for employees to self-report on their own 'near misses' or the 'near misses' that they observe.

Patrick LeBlanc, AFSBn-AFG safety specialist, pointed out that many of the contractors come from places where making such reports could lead to the employee being fired and lauded the battalion contract partner for overcoming language and cultural background barriers.

"It was my pleasure to bring our contractor partner to the safety council to highlight their 'Near Miss' program and have it considered for inclusion into the overall CJOA safety programs," said LeBlanc after the meeting. "It could prevent hundreds of accidents."

McVeigh was impressed, said the idea was 'awesome' and talked about ways it could be implemented by some of the units represented at the meeting.

Related Links:

U.S. Army Materiel Command

1st Theater Sustainment Command

13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary)

U.S. Army Combat Readiness /Safety Center