The Directorate of Public Works Safety Office's mission is to provide and maintain a safe and healthy environment for all employees, contractors, Soldiers, or bystanders whom may encounter any of the numerous missions the DPW Team conducts. The DPW Safety Office provides mentorship and insight in all facets of Occupational Safety and Health as it pertains to the DPW mission. Through proactive risk management, safety councils, employee-lead safety committees, and leadership we foster a safety culture focused on awareness, safe working practices, and open communication. The DPW Safety Office provides state of the art education, training, equipment, and PPE in order to implement a world class safety program.
Army Safety and Occupational Health Management System
Fort Hood DPW has become a model of how safety can be integrated into the workplace, support the Army’s mission and set a standard for excellence. Through comprehensive safety training, a robust recognition program, team member involvement, and steadfast leadership support, DPW is leading the charge in embracing the capability objectives of the Army Safety and Occupational Health Management System (ASOHMS).
ASOHMS emphasizes the following six objectives: leadership engagement and employee participation; investigations and reporting mishaps, incidents and illnesses; conducting safety and occupational health training and promotion; conducting inspections and assessments; conducting hazards analyses and developing control measures; and employee health protection and readiness.
DPW's safety program aligns with the goals of ASHOMS and serves as a model for other garrison directorates and military installations. Understanding training is the foundation of an effective safety culture, the directorate ensures employees receive regular, targeted training to identify and mitigate workplace hazards. To engage employees and overcome any negative attitudes toward safety training, the DPW Safety Office maintains a safety video library of more than 100 DVDs, with a video for nearly every known hazard a DPW employee may be exposed to.
Whether it’s instruction on injury and illness prevention; personal protective equipment; trenching and excavation; vehicle and equipment operation; welding; work and construction sites; and accident investigation, DPW provides its workforce with the knowledge and tools necessary to perform their duties safely.
Unit Safety Officers play a pivotal role in this effort. Each division within DPW has a designated Unit Safety Officer (USO) who acts as the frontline advocate for safety. By empowering USOs, DPW embeds safety directly into every level of its operations.
Safety Hero of the Quarter
Mr. David Dunn was nominated and selected for the Safety Hero of the Quarter (SHoQ) award for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2024 due to his proactive approach to safety. During an emergency action plan class, he identified that building 40001 lacked adequate fire alarm pull stations at each exit. He submitted a DA Form 4283 to request installation of pull stations connected to the installation's fire alarm system, but he was informed this couldn't be done due to the building's age. Undeterred by these limitations, he demonstrated initiative by researching and implementing a standalone solution at a lower cost, allowing for quicker implementation. Tested to ensure they could be heard throughout the facility, these units also use rechargeable batters and require biannual inspections. Mr. Dunn's actions reflect a commitment to creating a safer environment for all personnel and highlight the forward-thinking approach encouraged within the organization.
