FALL: A season to think about safety

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Victorio Gutierrez
  • 341st Missile Wing Safety Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Fall is upon us and there is no looking back. Autumn has unique safety characteristics that members of Air Force Global Strike Command should be aware of to provide a smooth transition to the coming months.

Leaves
As beautiful as leaves may be, they can be just as dangerous. Use care when walking across sidewalks that are covered in leaves. They are slippery when wet and the chance of falls increase. To mitigate this risk, remove all leaves from sidewalks to-and-from your house especially if you have kids walking to school. On Malmstrom Air Force Base we have had 20 mishaps since 2009 that have been because of slips, trips and falls. It may seem low but in the big picture it isn't. The goal of the Air Force is zero mishaps.

Ladders
Ladders are used most during autumn months to clear gutters of fallen leaves. Ladder safety is a must.

Never stand above the second from the top rung and don't stretch or lean over the side of the ladder to grab or reach something.

Take the extra time to go down the ladder and adjust it to the proper position to relieve the unsafe situation caused by leaning or stretching.

Keep ladders in good repair and never paint wooden ladders or buy one that has been painted. Paint hides flaws.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 122 deaths occurred in the civilian work force from ladder mishaps in 2009.

Preparation
Just like a Boy Scout; "Always be prepared."

Be prepared for the weather to change. This includes checking the heating system of your house, having a jacket at the workplace or leaving just a little earlier for work to compensate for road conditions.

Autumn also brings less hours of daylight in a given day, always remember to have your reflective belt and wear it in hours of low visibility and darkness.

Be safe this fall season. Clean leaves to alleviate slipping hazards, take extra time when in it comes to ladder safety and be prepared for what autumn has to offer.