Risk management crucial during Interior winter Published Sept. 25, 2007 By 354th Fighter WIng safety office EIELSON AFB, Alaska -- All Icemen with Alaska winter experience are encouraged to pass on their winter knowledge to newly assigned "cheechakos" and special attention should be devoted to procedures and techniques minimizing risks to personnel, equipment, and mission during operations in Alaska's cold, dark winter. Operational Risk Management On duty or off-duty, everything we do has some degree of risk which, if not properly managed, may result in injury or fatality. Commands that have embraced the philosophy of operational risk management and applied its management tools throughout the chain of command have demonstrated successful reduction of mishaps and injuries. In Interior Alaska, use of Operational Risk Management for even the most mundane tasks can help prevent injury or death. For example, a basic, abbreviated operational risk assessment approach for shoveling the snow from your driveway would be: Q: What's the hazard? A: Extreme cold, extended darkness, snow, and ice. Q: What's the risk? A: Things that will happen in the winter environment such as slipping, falling, frostbite, hypothermia, and ultimately death by freezing. Q: What control measures can be used to reduce the risk? A: Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return. Wear appropriate cold weather clothing, use Yaktrax or boots with special tread, wear reflective material, use a snow shovel, stretch your back and upper body before shoveling, and use your (or your neighbor's) experience. Supervisors and flight chiefs have a critical role in identifying problem areas, reviewing unit, Wing and Major Command policies, and training and preparing the troops for winter operations. Every Airman should also be involved in this process; a key element of the Voluntary Protection Program is involving all levels of the organization in hazard identification and abatement. ORM and the family Are members of your family mentally and physically prepared for the extreme cold and extended darkness? Do you have sufficient winter gear for everyone? Ensure your children don't leave for school with only a light jacket when it's -20 degrees. Not wearing appropriate winter gear might seem "hip" or "cool," but frostnip, frostbite, and hypothermia aren't. Have you talked to your children about the dangers of walking on thin ice on the lakes especially at the beginning of winter? Auto Safety What about your car? Is it winterized? Do you have a survival kit in the car, enough for each occupant? Keep this in mind when driving on Alaskan roadways. According to the Alaska Highway Safety Office, there were 4,206 non-fatal injuries and 100 fatalities on Alaska's roadways in 2004. Non-fatal injuries decreased to 4,053 and fatalities dropped to 73 in 2005,. The 2006 fatality count was 74. To avoid becoming a statistic, use these helpful hints: -Winterize your vehicle with an arctic tune-up (special engine coolant, battery heater/blanket, oil pan heater and engine block heater), oil change and a full safety check. Ensure that you have snow/ice or all-season radial tires that are in excellent condition. "Studded" tires, if needed, are helpful. -Carry spare parts and a cell phone. Depending on your vehicle, it may be as little as a fan belt, thermostat and spare headlight, or a more elaborate kit if your vehicle is uncommon. -In the event of a mishap, be prepared to spend several hours in your vehicle. That means carrying an arctic sleeping bag(s), extra cold weather clothing and food and water. -Road conditions can vary dramatically over very short distances. A dry or snow packed road with good visibility can suddenly turn into a sheet of black ice in a bank of ice fog. Drive well below the speed limit and be certain you can control your vehicle. -Whenever you stop, clear the snow and ice from all your windows, and from your head and tail lights - they are often neglected. Window ice-scrapers are mandatory equipment -If the temperature is below about -15, never shut your vehicle off unless you're at a lodge or other facility where assistance is available if needed. -Driving while it's snowing can be hypnotizing - be aware of the effects, and stop for a break occasionally. -When driving near or past another vehicle, be aware of "snow dust" that can drop your visibility to zero for a lengthy distance. Ensure that another vehicle is not behind you so that you can slow or stop safely, if required. The vital mishap prevention information shared during our Safety Day will help everyone on the Iceman Team combat the long and dark interior Alaska winter.