Fort Knox Spring & Summer Safety Bulletins

 

 

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                                                                 Emergency preparedness & Response                                                                                      Army Injury Prevention

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                                                                            Heat Illness and Prevention                                                                                                     Water Safety

 
  1. "Under the Oak Tree" Counseling between Service Members and first-line supervisors for long weekends, passes, and other identified periods of high risk must be conducted. "Under the Oak Tree" counseling directly involves first-line leaders in their Service Members' off duty risk assessments and risk mitigation. Although not mandatory for Civilians, this form of counseling is an effective method of taking care of all of our personnel.
  2. Heat Injury Prevention: Heat injuries are completely preventable by knowing how to manage water intake, work rest cycles, and using the wet bulb index to address uniform requirements and activity cycles. For example, conduct strenuous activities or missions early in the day or late in the evening to avoid long term exposure during the hottest times of the day. Risk factors can increase based on poor fitness, age, the type of medications used, and alcohol use prior to exposure of hot climates. All Soldiers and civilians must complete heat injury prevention training and report their status through their command reporting procedures.
  3. Risk Management: Risk management training must address risk identification and mitigation of spring and summer hazards on and off-duty. All personnel must have a solid understanding of risk management (RM) and be able to effectively apply the principles to address risk identification and the mitigation of spring and summer season hazards. Army Techniques Publication (ATP) 5-19 Risk Management is the primary Army source document for risk management. RM training will be completed and documented in the personnel training records (DTMS). Develop a process for relating higher-risk activities such as hiking, swimming, camping, rafting, kayaking, boating, exercise, and other recreational activities to prevention of personal injuries. The ATP 5-19 Risk Management regulation can be found at: http://armypubs.army.mil/ProductMaps/PubForm/ATP.aspx
  4. Wellness Issues:
    • New personnel assigned to Fort Knox and new POV operators must be made aware of the hazards associated with driving in the local area. The Safety Office offers the Local Hazards Course the last Wednesday of each month. POV owners, including motorcyclist, will not permit unauthorized or unlicensed personnel to operate a vehicle for which they are responsible. Soldiers who require motorcycle training can sign up the Basic Rider Course (BRC), BRCII, and Military Sport Bike Rider Course at: https://imc.army.mil/airs/default.aspx. For all ATV riders the CRC website is a good source of information at: https://safety.army.mil/OFF-DUTY/RecreationalSpecialtyVehicle.aspx.
    • Soldiers will complete the POV Risk Assessment (TRIPS) before long holiday weekends and before going on pass, leave, or TDY. DA Civilians who are traveling on TDY orders by GOV or private motor vehicle must complete TRIPS prior to leaving. Access TRIPS https://trips.safety.army.mil/.
    • Ensure a driver's training/orientation program is conducted for all Government Vehicle operators. Include a review of Fort Knox and Kentucky-unique driving hazards, cellular phone use, seatbelt requirements, and the associated penalties.
    • Ensure that GOV operators follow the provisions outlined in appropriate driver training manuals with special emphasis on vehicle preventive maintenance and vehicle blind spots when operating high hood profile vehicles. Common traffic accidents occur in parking lots when backing up so use a ground guide when required. All Soldiers and DA Civilians are required to take the Accident Avoidance Course every 4 years at https://www.lms.army.mil/
    • Provide travel safety information to personnel taking holiday trips away from the United States and traveling to foreign countries. Personnel are required to receive a force protection briefing when traveling to foreign countries. The U.S. Department of State maintains current travel advisories for those traveling to foreign countries at https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en
      /alertswarnings.html
    • Boating safety is imperative while operating a vessel on open water and making sure the boat is safe by conducting pre-inspections before going out to the lake. Review the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources Fishing and Boating Guide at http://fw.ky.gov/FishBoatGuide/Pages/default.aspx In addition, follow important safety tips listed on the United States Coast Guard website: http://www.uscgboating.org/
    • Ensure all current and newly arrived personnel are briefed on this Spring and Summer Safety Campaign and have completed the required training.
    • Chaplains provide courses for Family Life Counseling, Coping Skills and wellness issues for all Soldiers and DA Civilians. The RSO instructor can be reached at 502-624-5225.
    • Newly arrived personnel must receive proper newcomers training for the local area; especially over extended weekends and holidays. The Safety office offers a Local Hazard Course the last Wednesday of each month at Building 1109, Room 329. Contact the Installation Safety Office POC at 502-624-4407 for scheduling.
    • Family Advocacy Programs provide information on domestic violence/sexual assault. The Family Advocacy Program provides educational information, resources, and services to help victims of violent crime and abusive relationships.
    • Alcohol and Substance Abuse Program (ASAP) Coordinators provide information on alcohol and substance abuse throughout the spring and summer season with focused emphasis during extended weekend periods. (ASAP) Coordinators coordinate with MWR to promote the Designated Drivers Program during the holiday season.
    • Holiday events that include serving food must have qualified/certified safe storage and food preparation personnel on site. Contact the local preventive medicine at 502-624-9697 for additional information on this requirement.
    • Conduct POV safety inspection checklist for Soldiers. Seatbelt checks are conducted periodically and during long holiday weekends.
    • Outdoor recreational safety is important while off duty that includes any physical activity, sports, fishing, hunting, or unit sponsored events. Each year injuries occur from sprained ankles, and broken bones that can result in loss time and long term recovery to return to work. Ensure all personnel understand the risks associated with off duty activities and include information in formations and post awareness material on safety boards.

  5. Weather:

    • In preparation for the spring and summer season, Garrison-level Severe Weather mitigation plans are reviewed and updated referencing tornado drills and applicable severe weather plans.
    • The destructive spring and summer weather season usually begins in early March and continues throughout the season. The Fort Knox Severe Weather Plan outlines the risks associated with destructive weather conditions. For Severe Weather Planning go to Ready.Gov at: https://www.ready.gov/severe-weather (includes all types of weather emergencies), Plan Ahead Checklist, Take Action, Be Informed (emergency alerts, evacuations, and tips) and Disasters affect Kids.
    • Review the Fort Knox Weather Operations 5 day forecast to plan and include in the decision making process for assessing risk by calling the duty forecaster at 502-624-5653 or the Fort Knox weather website https://www.knox.army.mil/partners/weather/
    • Accident data, property damage reports, hospital and medical clinic admission/ disposition reports, and incident reports specific to an organization must be reviewed to indentify accident trends that can be vital in countermeasure development.

  6. Required Training:

 

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