Top 10 Safety Write-Ups for Administrative Areas on Base

  • Published
  • By Chris Tirey
  • 88th Air Base Wing Safety Office
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  Like the athletes who compete at the highest possible levels of performance, Air Force personnel at the pointed end of the spear require the dedicated support of a host of professionals to ensure their success.

Of the approximately 30,000 employees at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, many make their contribution to accomplishing the Air Force mission in an administrative work environment. It is difficult, sometimes tedious and always vitally important work.

Staff from the 88th Air Base Wing Safety Office routinely inspect administrative areas. Listed below are the top 10 (in no particular order) administrative area discrepancies that are questioned:

· Are emergency lighting units and exit signs equipped with battery backups operative?
· Are fire extinguishers inspected monthly and documented?
· Are electrical cords placed in travel lanes protected by molded housings or bridges?
· Are electrical extension cords used on a temporary basis and not as a substitute for fixed wiring?
· Are extension cords used with more than a single connection (daisy-chained)?
· Are high-wattage, portable electrical appliances, such as coffee pots, coffee makers, electric heaters, microwaves, etc., used with extension cords or plugged directly into outlets and not into surge protectors?
· Are all unused openings (knock out plugs) in switch housings, junction boxes, etc., securely covered?
· Are electrical outlet cover plates loose or missing?
· Are electrical outlets within 6 feet of a wet bar sink ground fault circuit interrupter protected?
· Are walking surfaces free of obstructions/substances that could create a tripping/slipping hazard?

Be on the lookout for these conditions in your workplace and share any discrepancies you discover with your supervision or unit safety representative. If you have any questions or concerns, contact the 88 ABW Safety Office at 904-0888.