Marine Corps Logistics Command Albany, Ga. -- Getting back into a work routine can be challenging for some people, especially after being away for an extended holiday period.
To help Marines and civilian-Marines refocus on workplace safety, Marine Corps Logistics Command kicked off the New Year with Back in the Saddle training in LOGCOM Headquarters’ Multi-Purpose Room, Jan. 7-11.
Tami Hinman, command safety manager, LOGCOM, said Marine Corps Order 5100.29, Marine Corps Safety Program, states that two mandatory safety stand-downs are required each year.
“Back in the Saddle training is always held just after the extended holiday season so that we ease (Marines and civilian-Marines) back into a safe mind set as they start back to work,” Hinman said. “(The training is a) mandatory requirement and because we recognize that when people have extended periods of time off they might not come back to work and utilize all the safety knowledge they have.
“We want them to reacclimatize themselves to the organization and their work setting so safety becomes the number one priority for them again,” she added.
Attendees at the hour-long event learned how to recognize the impact of complacency, workplace hazards and the heightened risk of injury while transitioning back to work from the holidays. Additional topics discussed were general office safety, electrical safety, ergonomics, traffic safety, health and wellness and the Voluntary Protection Program.
Throughout the presentation, light-hearted videos and humor were added intentionally, according to Hinman.
“We put a lot of effort into the presentations by (adding) icebreakers (and humor) throughout so we can keep the audience engaged,” she stated. “Even if it is a safety issue, if you can make them laugh, they are more likely to be engaged and ask questions.”
Hinman said BITS helps keep LOGCOM’s workforce safe every day.
“One of the greatest resources for LOGCOM is its human capital, Marines and civilian-Marines,” she concluded. “If you lose them then you lose everything. We want them to recognize that the command takes this operational pause serious because they are important.”
Carmen Jones, supply systems analyst, G6, LOGCOM, attended the training Jan. 8.
“The Back in the Saddle training was a refresher for me,” Jones said who once held the position of safety representative for her section. “Safety is a serious topic and I thought the videos got the point across in a comical manner which helps people pay more attention in class as well be able to recall what to do when an emergency arises.”
After the BITS training was complete, Brig. Gen. Joseph F. Shrader, commanding general, LOGCOM, held a town hall meeting where he discussed his priorities and key objectives for 2019. A question and answer session was also conducted during each meeting.
Shrader discussed his guidance to the workforce.
1. Ensure that every action we take conforms to the needs of the operating force.
2. Double efforts to build 21st Century depot maintenance, long-term storage and equipment prepositioning capabilities.
3. Establish and maintain 100 percent control over LOGCOM’s equipment.
4. Innovate, take risk and act with urgency.
His also talked about three lines of effort, including:
1. Restore organic depot maintenance capability and capacity as we improve in-stores equipment readiness and prepositioning program.
2. Reform LOGCOM’s business processes.
3. Attract and develop the next generation workforce.
Shrader also discussed several mission essentials tasks including enterprise depot-level maintenance, storage, distribution, ground equipment inventory management and operational level logistics.
Shrader ended the town hall with this challenge to the workforce.
1. Understand the team’s common purpose.
2. Understand your assignment on the team.
3. Understand how your assignment contributes to the team’s purpose.
4. Do your assignment everyday!