22nd ARW Airmen increase fall protection awareness

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Alan Ricker
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. – The McConnell Safety Office hosted fall-protection demonstrations as part of Fall Protection Awareness Week from May 21 to 25.

The purpose of the campaign is to educate members and raise awareness of fall hazards and prevent possible mishaps.

According to the Air Force Safety Center, the Air Force has suffered 13 fall fatalities from the fiscal year 2013 through 2017. During the same time frame, more than 47,000 work days were lost due to almost 5,600 non-sports related falls.

Two separate demonstrations were held on May 21 at the flight line and near the 22nd Civil Engineer Squadron facility. The demonstrations included hands-on and visual training on nearly every aspect of fall protection. Other demonstrations included: proper use of harnesses, anchors, shock-absorbing lanyards and self-retracting lifelines. These safety techniques re-establish Airmen’s knowledge on the importance of fall protection.

“There is an annual requirement for all individuals who work in elevated locations above four feet to be trained on aspects of fall protection,” said Tech. Sgt. Jonathan Murphy, 22nd Air Refueling Wing Safety Office noncommissioned officer in-charge of occupational safety.

The AFSEC states that a partnership was built with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to emphasize safe practices to reduce and/or eliminate fall mishaps.

“The McConnell Safety [Team] provides annual and spot inspections on fall protection programs throughout the calendar year to ensure compliance with OSHA and NIOSH,” said Murphy. “These inspections don’t guarantee injuries will not occur, but we hope to provide Airmen with the tools to keep themselves safe.”

For additional information about fall prevention visit, www.safety.af.mil.