TRENDS DURING PREP

File: 980818_sep96_sagwi2_0002.txt
Page: 0002
Total Pages: 5
Subject = TRENDS DURING PREP                                              

Box ID = BX001119

Folder Title = 15TH FINANCE SUPPORT UNIT MESSAGE TRAFFIC                                                       

Unit = 1ST CD      

Parent = VII  CORPS  




                                       UNCLASSIFIED


                                DEVIATIONS FROM SAFETY PkocEDupEs
                         DURINC; PREPARATFON POP OPERATION DESERT SH3fELD

         1. Non-use of seat belts. Many driverstpassengers of Amvs in operation,
         especially M1008s and M1009s, have not been wearing the seat belts/shoulder
         harnesses provided. Such wear is required by AR 385-55.

         2. Uncovered antenna tips. some tips of vehicle antennas, i.e., HMMWvs and
         CUCVS, and field type antennas, i.e., OE 254/RC 292 are not covered with tip
         caps or suitable substitutes. This creates a potential eye/head piercing
         hazard. At least three soldiers have been fatally injured Army-wide during
         the past two years from uncovered antenna tips.

         3. Raised vehicle antennas. some vehicles have been operating in the
         cantonment area with their antennas in the raised position. Antennas,must be
         tied down when vehicles are operated in the cantormont area or in towns to
         avoid contact with electrical power lines IAW FH Suppl 1 to AR 385-10.

         4. Tracked vehicles crossing roadways. According to the III Corps Range
         Control office Range Warden, some tracked vehicles have been crossing roads at
         designated tank crossing sites without using road guards. One such tracked
         vehicle was almost stru@k by a POV. Roadguards should be posted to warn
         oncoming traffic whenever tracked vehicles cross roadways on the installation.

         5. Taping over of vehicle headlights, taillights, and reflectors. Several
         AMVs with taped over headlights, taillights, and reflectors have been stopped
         by the III Corps MPs to have such covers removed. In some cases, the mps have
         issued citations. Covering of lights/reflectors creates a traffic safety
         hazard and violates convoy procedures. Additionally, it wastos tape and the
         time of personnel involved.

         6. Improper ground guiding. Some large vehicles are being backed in motor
         pools without use of ground guides. In one case, a HEMTT was being backed
         with two ground guides. The rear ground guide walked behind the vehicle and
         was pinned against a loading ramp. More training and supervision of ground
         guides and drivers in ground guiding is a must.

         7. Inadequate supervision of CARC painting operations. Isolated cases of
         brush and roller painting of vehicles by small groups of soldiers not wearing
         required protective clothing and equipment have boon noted. Currently, spray
         painting operations at paint facilities are inadequately supervised.
         Personnel mixing paint and/or personnel such as drivers or onlookers are not
         following procedures. Some are smoking, some are wearing only shorts and
         T-shirts, and some are covered with paint. These deficiencies indicate that
         units responsible for painting their vehicles are not enforcing the rules.
         Also some vehicles have been observed with paint on tires, antennas, rearview
         mirrors, lights, and reflectors indicating lack of quality control.









                                       UNCLASSIFIED