TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- If you’re eating rice and some falls outside the bowl, you are responsible for picking up said rice and disposing of it properly.
That’s how XP facility representative Laura Williams metaphorically described the recurring issue on the dock of Bldg. 1, illegal dumping.
Unidentified organizations and contractors have continued to drop trash and unwanted furniture on the dock of Bldg. 1, creating safety and fire hazards, as well as cluttering up the dock with garbage.
“It is about safety, but it also comes down to responsibility and ownership,” Ms. Williams explained. “If you have garbage or unwanted items, you need to assume the responsibility and determine where they can be disposed of properly.” Ms. Williams took on the task of having the area cleaned up, as the dock is used by employees if an emergency evacuation is required. If the main entrance to the facility is blocked, access to the dock needs to be readily available, something that has not been the case for recent months.
“This is not the first time we have had this problem,” plans and programs director for the 72nd Air Base Wing Mary-Lynn Dubray said. “This was something that started months and months ago. We had to draw the line because it was becoming a serious safety issue.”
Previous attempts by base wing XP to identify the individual organizations dumping old or unwanted furniture or items have been mostly unsuccessful, Ms. Dubray said.
Bldg. 1 has recently seen an influx of organizations and offices moving in and out. Not abiding by proper procedures while disposing of junk could continue if nothing is done to recognize the issue. Other buildings could be experiencing similar problems, Ms. Dubray said, and people may not be aware of how big of a concern and hazard it is.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will be based in Bldg. 1 during the Volunteer Protection Program STAR rating inspection. Continued illegal dumping in the area will reflect negatively on the 72nd Air Base Wing.