From the director, headquarters Marine Corps Safety Division

Marines,

I recently came across this quote by Louis Pasteur: "Did you ever observe to whom the accidents happen? Chance favors only the prepared mind." When you don't prepare for a task, you put yourself at risk for something going wrong. So, what is the best way to prepare? ORM. Leaders must train their Marines to take care of themselves, their gear, and each other at all times.

Here in Safety Division, we analyze a lot of numbers. and they tell us that, as leaders, we need to do more to get out the word about safety and risk management. The good news is that, in FY04, operational mishaps did decrease, and we've made some progress in achieving our DoD-mandated 50 percent mishap-reduction goals. Despite this, Marines continue to forget ORM when operating motor vehicles. Of the 13 tactical-vehicle mishaps in FY04, nearly all of them occurred in HMMWVs. PMV accidents claimed 46 Marines.

Major operational-safety concerns are HMMWV rollovers and crashes, in addition to weapons handling and negligent discharges. Leaders must aggressively enforce safety standards, ensure their drivers receive training, and conduct ORM refreshers to address range and weapons-safety procedures.

HQMC Safety Division is attacking the following initiatives to support your mishap-prevention plans:

* WESS II: Online Safety Mishap Reporting Database (Required Corpswide mishap-reporting system as of December 2005), provides access to both standardized and ad-hoc reporting and trend-analysis features, in addition to centralized incident reporting and automation of data-authorization process.

* Expansion of ORM Training: MCO 3500.27A--Marine Net/Navy ORM University, Boot Camp Operational Risk Management Training--ORM included in Common Skill Handbook and Recruit Training POI, Operational Risk Management Distance Learning.

* Driver Training: Driver Improvement Distance Learning Course, Standardization of Incidental Driver Training, Boot Camp Driver Improvement Course, Motor Vehicle Operator Logbook, Motor Vehicle Licensing Official's Handbook, License Examiners Formal School, "New Join" Orientation Training.

* Army Safety Center's risk-planning tool, Army Safety Management Information System (ASMIS) is being formatted for Marine Corps use.

* Convoy-operations handbook and commander's convoy checklist are available.

* UXO training.

* Command-climate surveys for the ground combat element from Naval Postgraduate School.

Your leadership is fiercely committed to the safety of each and every Marine. Safety Division is leading the charge by instituting tools, policy, and guidance for developing your safety programs. To ensure these programs are useful, we need feedback from you; let us know about programs, policies, and procedures that are working. More importantly, let us know about what isn't working for you. Visit the Safety Division's website at http://hqinet001.hqmc.usmc.mil/sd/index.htm to send us your ideas and success stories.

Semper Fidelis,

Col Fred Wenger

COPYRIGHT 2005 U.S. Navy Safety Center
COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group