pay special attention to PPE. Death and injuries can occur when we don’t properly wear our personal-protective equipment. When maintainers don’t wear their PPE, for whatever reason, they are putting themselves at unnecessary risk. Your family, friends, shipmates, and country are counting on you to complete your assigned duties safely. Do your part to protect yourselves and your shipmates, and you’ll save time, money and lives. Note: This data shows that PPE mishaps are often unreported. Chart does not include hazreps and unreported incidents. Mishaps listed involved significant injuries.
Head on a Swivel By AO2 Eric Fields
M
y day started like any other day on USS Enterprise (CVN 65). While the air wing trained for deployment, I prepared for routine flight operations, not knowing what would be in store for me. The tempo increased as the flight deck transitioned from day- to night-flight operations, which is one of the most critical moments during flight operations for maintainers. For example, aircraft are moving, people are running, and flight-deck coordinators are yelling to make sure everyone is prepared to recover aircraft. I waited for the next recovery period, so I could de-arm the returning aircraft. As I waited, I started a conversation with three troubleshooters who were standing near elevator No. 2 on the starboard side of the ship. I was familiar with the flight deck, and I knew that, during times of boredom, you easily can become a victim of complacency. I admit that, at the time, I did not pay close attention to my surroundings, which turned out to be a very big mistake.
Summer 2008
During the current flight evolution, an FA-18C Hornet taxied to the catapult and directed its exhaust nozzles toward me. I tried to move, but my reflexes were not quick enough. The exhaust from the Hornet picked me up and blew me, headfirst, at least 10 feet
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