RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- As September passes, the air begins to change, and turns from hot and dry to a crisp and cool that has everyone breaking out their dusty raincoats.
With the fall season beginning, the threat of winter is bearing down.
“’Walk like a penguin’ season is coming,” said Tech. Sgt. Michael Bathea, 86th Airlift Wing Ground Safety inspector. “Right now, it’s starting to rain and its wet; pretty soon that rain is going to turn into ice.”
Ground Safety has a plethora of safety, winter tires, and road condition tips to share. They range from as simple as allowing extra time for traveling to and from work, or exercising responsible driving, to avoid incidents.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, cold weather precautions should include recognizing the hazards of winter weather driving and inspecting vehicle systems to determine if they are working properly.
“As the winter season approaches, frost will begin to appear on windshields, and drivers may be cited for snow on car roofs, windows, and hoods, and may even be denied access to the base,” said Staff Sgt. Dave Looby, 86th AW Ground Safety occupational safety officer.
Drivers are expected to properly clear all frost and ice from windows and lights before driving, and to practice diligence when driving around pedestrians.
“It’s a lot darker in the morning during the winter,” Looby said. “For parents that have children walking or biking to school, I would advise them to cover students in bright clothing and, or bags to make them more visible to passing vehicles.”
Late reporting and closure decisions will normally be made no later than 4 a.m. that day, and early release decisions by 10:30 a.m.
School buses often have difficulty transiting in some areas, and low temperatures may be dangerous to children waiting at bus stops. Drivers should exercise caution.
In addition to cold stress, service members encounter other hazards based on their military occupation, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
The military uses diesel-powered vehicles, along with JP-8 jet fuel. Studies of military personnel by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry suggest that exposure to JP-8 may affect the nervous system.
In addition, dental technicians, nuclear weapons technicians, and others experience routine exposure to radiation, and harmful sounds from guns, equipment, and machinery that is often experienced during service are all examples of possible hazards.
Whether it’s cold or not, service members should exercise caution before, during, and after the duty day to ensure the safety of themselves and those around them.
To find out what current road conditions are, tune into American Forces Network 105.1 FM or call 480-COLD (2653).
If needed, organizations should contact their safety representatives to learn more about what is expected from their respective shops. For more information, call DSN 480-SAFE (7233) or 06371-47-7233.