HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Base safety officials recently eliminated a blind spot at the intersection of Langley Road and Vandenberg Drive here following a hazard report presented by a member of the community.
The 66th Security Forces Squadron vehicle search pit caused the obstruction when it was inside the Sartain Gate.
“Vehicles making a right or left turn onto Vandenberg Drive had a difficult time seeing past the search pit as well as through solid colored slats through a chain link fence on the corner,” said Galen Williams, 66th Air Base Group Safety director.
Base officials convened a Traffic Safety Coordination Group to discuss the hazard.
“Once the search pit was relocated outside the installation, there was no need to have the plastic slats on the fence, which were also restricting the vision for motorists turning at the intersection,” said Williams.
Safety officials use this example to highlight the importance of reporting safety hazards on the installation.
“This is a great example of a hazard mitigated because someone spoke up and said something about a hazard on base,” said Tech. Sgt. Christopher Gransbury, Occupational Safety and Health NCO in charge. “While the gate was removed, the slats may not have been removed as quickly had someone not reported the blind spot.”
Gransbury notes the many ways personnel can report hazards at Hanscom Air Force Base.
“Hazards can be reported to a facility manger, through an employee’s chain of command or to the Safety Office directly by emailing hanscom.hazard@us.af.mil,” he said. “Employees are asked to complete a Hazard Reporting Form and submit it to the Safety Office.”
The reporting form is on the secure safety SharePoint site at https://cs2.eis.af.mil/sites/12410/Report%20a%20Hazard/default.aspx.
“There are no limits on what individuals can report, because the most important thing is to report what they perceive as a hazard,” Williams said. “Part of the investigation process by the Safety Office will validate the concern.”
Personnel also have the option to report hazards online at HanscomNet, through the Hanscom safety hotline at 781-225-SAFE or through an Air Force online reporting tool.
“Voluntary hazard reporting has the potential to prevent serious injury and future mishaps at Hanscom and elsewhere,” said Gransbury.
Safety officials also highlight the other ways personnel can mitigate a hazard.
“If you have the ability to safely fix the issue on the spot, we encourage people to do so,” said Gransbury.
For further information, contact the safety office at 781-225-5584.