50-percent mishap-reduction campaign

What Is It?

On May 19, 2003. Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld challenged all services to achieve a 50-percent, across-the-board reduction in all mishaps by Sept. 30, 2005. Mishaps not only are expensive but rob us of our greatest assets--our Marines. Loss of warfighters and equipment affect our combat readiness and threaten mission success.

Where Do We Stand?

Between Oct. 1, 2003, and Sept. 30, 2004 (fiscal year 2004). 101 Marines died as a result of mishaps. Although this number represents a 19-percent reduction in fatal injuries from the previous year (124), the Marine Corps is not on track to meet its mishap-reduction goals.

In fiscal year 2004, 57 deaths occurred from non-operational accidents, such as automobile crasher or recreational accidents--a decrease of six from 2003. Operational accidents went down from 45 fatalities in 2003 to 29. Unfortunately, 2004 was the worst year since 1990 for aviation accidents that result in death or more than $1 million in damages--15 Marines were killed and 19 aircraft destroyed.

What Can I Do?

* Identify the hazards of your job and the jobs of those you supervise.

* Get to know your unit's safety officer and use him/her as a resource in preventing accidents and injuries.

* Talk about risk management and safety in your unit. Call a "time out" to help focus the group's attention on developing a control for a job hazard, or find a new way to avoid the hazard all together.

* Risk management isn't just for the battle field or even just for on the job; the same principles apply to all off-duty situations.

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