Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) participated in the National Fall Prevention standdown, May 2 - 6.

As a world-wide force of military and civilians, NECC utilized the standdown to raise awareness and focus attention on the hazards Sailors face while working at height in the construction trades. The standdown provided an opportunity to pause and reassess controls to prevent falls from height, as well as awareness of possible trip hazards.

"We covered ladder safety, inspection and proper usage, mobile scaffolds and scaffolding, fall protection use, proper wearing, self-rescue techniques, suspension trauma along with home fall hazards," said Chief Steel Worker (SCW) Brian Tackett, Naval Construction Group (NCG) 1 safety officer.

NECC's commands that do not have a requirement to work at height used the time to focus on the prevention of slips, trips, and falls. Various training methods and focus areas were developed at each of the commands reporting to NECC.

Within CRG 2, a standdown was conducted to promulgate requisite fall protection safety controls and hazards presented while working at height.

"With attention on fall protection and the prevention of slips, trips, and falls, CRG 2 is in the process of replacing the traditional non-skid surface applied on all CRG 2's boats with specialized modular adhesive pads custom made for each boat's walking surfaces that is designed to improve traction and reduce the likelihood of a slip or fall," said Lt. William Shields, CRG 2's safety officer.

Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group (NAVELSG) took the opportunity to develop training specific to the fall hazards that stevedores afloat are exposed to include work around cranes and hatches. This training was then delivered to operational commands reporting to NAVELSG with the purpose of raising awareness of hazards specific to the community in order to prevent mishaps.

The National OSHA Fall Prevention Safety standdown was conceived in 2012 and developed in partnership with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health as part of the National Falls Campaign to raise awareness surrounding the severity of fall hazards in construction and the importance of prevention. Contractors, workers, and safety professionals across the nation participated in these events, making huge strides in the fight against the leading cause of death for construction workers.

According to Chief Builder Eric Dirk, NECC's incoming deputy safety officer, the standdown was well received across the TYCOM.

"Mitigation of the hazards presented while working at height are a constant effort for many in our Force, however, since not everyone in the force works at heights, adding a focus on slips, trips and falls made it relevant and useful to everyone," said Dirk.


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