All personnel were required to attend an operational safety pause known as Back in the Saddle, following the holiday period. Each presentation covered a wide variety of topics including operational risk management, fall protection and prevention, ergonomics, hazard communication and emergency action plans. Additionally, individual units are conducting specific workplace and operational safety training as part of the BITS training cycle.

“This is the time for all units to reset their service members’ thought processes on mission readiness after the long holiday break,” said Andre Clement, a tactical safety specialist with the III MEF Safety Office. “Basic safety topics, required annual safety training and unit-specific safety training are given within the first two weeks of January.”

Some common activities that require a safety mindset include vehicle operations, water activities and alcohol consumption.

“Regardless if operating a tactical, commercial or privately owned vehicle, paying attention to the vehicle and your surroundings, to include weather conditions, are strong factors in preventing mishaps,” said Vincent M. Keller, a tactical safety specialist with the III MEF Safety Office.

Before engaging in water activities, service members are encouraged to check weather and sea conditions. To prevent mishaps from occurring, refrain from participating in recreational activities in rough weather, wear the proper protective gear, and do not drink alcohol.

“Common sense is a basic instinct in every person. The choice to listen to the little voice in your head saying something is right or wrong could be the deciding factor of a mishap or injury,” said Clement. “Operational risk management is the next step in reassuring yourself to process any task as simple as crossing the street when it is safe, to operating a multimillion-dollar piece of equipment safely.”

Service members who witness others not practicing safety measures are encouraged to take immediate action, said Keller.

“All service members should do the right thing by getting involved either directly or indirectly, depending on the situation,” Clement agreed. “By direct, I mean approaching the scene and trying to stop the unsafe act by speaking with the persons involved, or indirectly by informing on-site leadership of the unsafe situations.”

Another consideration to keep in mind is safety while exercising.

According to Marine Corps Bases Japan/III Marine Expeditionary Force Order 1050.7A, wearing headphones is prohibited while walking, running, bicycling, inline skating or driving a personally owned vehicle on sidewalks and roads both on and off base. However, wearing headphones is authorized on tracks, treadmills and running paths in designated parks or on seawalls.

“Safety is everyone’s responsibility both on and off duty,” said Clement. “Every once in a while, people tend to take shortcuts to accomplish their tasks and are lucky no mishaps have occurred. The odds that something may happen increase if common sense is left at home, and operational risk management is ignored for daily use.”