Aberdeen Proving Ground Safety Day brings knowledge and awareness to the installation workforce

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. – Safety teams from the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command, CECOM Integrated Logistics Support Center, CECOM Army Software & Innovation Center, and Army Contracting Command staged the 4th annual APG Safety Day, organizing this robust event with the assistance of community partners on Sept. 16.

Along with printed materials and in-booth presentations to inform the workforce, vendors also provided multiple demonstrations related to safety training and best practices, especially when it comes to the workplace. Most notable among the new offerings this year, a military K-9 demonstration displayed advanced tactics that uniformed personnel can employ in the interest of public safety.

CECOM ILSC Acting Executive Director Abel Salgado, who also serves as the ILSC Safety Champion, presented opening remarks for the day. “I ask you all to consider that ‘Safety starts with me.’ Taking personal responsibility is an important first step for safety. Don’t get complacent, and always be mindful,” he said. Following Salgado’s remarks, attendees walked the APG C5ISR-M courtyard, visiting booths dedicated to topics like ladder safety, fall protection, electrical safety, hearing conservation, bicycle safety, and much more. Other vendors offered demos such as portable fire extinguisher training and materials aimed at mental health awareness and suicide prevention.

Jurgen Williams, a safety and occupational health specialist at CECOM ILSC whose Logistics, Operations, Technology, Intelligence & Safety Branch played an integral role in the planning and execution of APG Safety Day, praised the group effort and the impact it had. “Our Employee Safety Committee and volunteers’ commitment to excellence provided a positive safety culture to make this a successful day. They worked tirelessly with the vendors to ensure that all requirements were met and accomplished,” he said. “Effective communication is the bridge between the planning of an event and its real world impact, and today it ensured that participants understand, engage with, and apply safety messages going forward.”

The most popular feature of the day proved to be the hazard identification room, which was first introduced at this event last year. This was a controlled, interactive environment for members of the APG workforce, who were given three minutes to study a room that had been previously staged by Safety experts to identify as many safety hazards as possible within that timeframe. Hazards ranged from broken chairs to cluttered walkways to daisy-chained extension cords and missing ceiling tiles. Safety organizers staged these hazards in an effort to familiarize employees with different threats in the workplace, reinforcing the need to make hazard recognition a natural part of daily work habits.

Representatives from local emergency medical services were on site, and APG Safety Day also showcased a thermal imaging technology trailer that impressed eventgoers. Linnea Tober, CECOM ILSC wellness coordinator, held a gentle yoga session. She believes the self-care benefits behind the session fit perfectly into the overall spirit and mentality of the day, saying “The weather was perfect, and these employees enjoyed some much needed de-stressing and relaxation.”

Safety is something to always be mindful about, and the Safety teams at APG work every day to keep the workforce informed and prepared. The annual Safety Day event is the centerpiece of their efforts, and APG partner organizations extend our gratitude to these subject matter experts for their commitment and continued dedication to this critical area.