Rhumb Lines: Summer Safety, Labor Day Weekend Update
By Commander
Naval Safety Center

“Labor Day weekend is on the horizon, and it’s time to enjoy one last blast of summer. Whether you spend the long weekend at the beach, in the mountains, or just relaxing with family and friends, remember to practice solid risk management. Our Navy and nation will need everyone back at work Tuesday morning.” – Rear Adm. Arthur J. Johnson, commander, Naval Safety Center
 
Labor Day Safety Statistics

• Last Labor Day weekend, there were 42 mishaps in the Navy. Most were relatively minor, but two proved fatal. One third class petty officer was killed when his car struck a tree, and another young Sailor died in his barracks room after a night of drinking.
 
• Since 2005, a total of six Sailors have died during the Labor Day weekend holidays. Many more have been injured.
 
• Current statistics show that Sailors have been practicing risk management, and the end of summer holiday is not statistically more dangerous than other weekends.
 
• The exception to this has been motorcycles. Based on an average of the last five years, nearly twice as many Sailors are killed on motorcycles during the Labor Day weekend than on a typical weekend. However, there were no motorcycle fatalities last Labor Day weekend, moving the trend in the right direction.

Labor Day Weekend Safety Tips

• Summer might be ending, but attempting to cram too many activities or too many risk factors into one weekend can lead to problems.
 
• If on or near the water, make sure you know how to swim. Keep a close eye on children; it only takes a few minutes, and as little as an inch of water, for a child to drown.

• Alcohol diminishes your vision, depth perception and coordination. Avoid alcohol when participating in water sports, athletics, or driving a vehicle. Drink alcohol in moderation.
 
• When riding a motorcycle, make sure to wear all the gear, all the time. Proper personal protective equipment is a requirement year round, on or off base.

• If traveling out of the area by car, fill out a Travel Risk Planning System (TRiPS) report. TRiPS can be accessed at www.nko.navy.mil. The online assessment will help identify possible risk factors when traveling, as well as determine ways to mitigate those risks. Be sure to check car tire pressure and fluid levels prior to a long trip.

• Labor Day barbeques are popular. Make sure grills are in good working order, well-ventilated and away from homes and other structures.

• Summer sports cause numerous minor injuries every year. Last Labor Day weekend, 12 Sailors were injured participating in sporting activities. Be careful while enjoying recreational sports.

Key Messages
 
• Enjoy the last few weeks of summer, but remember off-duty risk management.

• Managing risk means considering what might go wrong and planning in advance to manage contingencies.
 
• While we’re seeing success in summer risk management, the loss of even one trained and ready Sailor is unacceptable.

Facts and Figures

• As of Aug. 6, 2010, eight Sailors have died this summer during off-duty hours: four in four-wheel motor vehicle mishaps, two on motorcycles, and two during recreation mishaps.
 
• In 2009, 16 Sailors died during the summer.

• Approximately half of last year’s reportable Labor Day weekend mishaps occurred during organized sporting events and other recreation activities.