HomeNewsArticle Display

VPP?group aims to curb safety concerns in Bldg. 3001 parking lots

  • Published
  • Combined Wing Staff Group Voluntary Protection Program
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  In recent months there has been an increase of reported parking lot injuries and near misses, especially in the East parking lot of Bldg. 3001.

The deteriorated state of the parking lot is a documented hazard and an Air Force Form 1118 identifying the hazard is posted. Major repairs are planned, but resources are limited.

The main Bldg. 3001 parking lot is potentially hazardous and is slated for replacement. However, the recent severe parking lot hazards went unreported by employees until late March. A 72nd Air Base Wing Civil Engineer work order was submitted on March 24 and temporary repairs were completed April 10. Through the Volunteer Protection Program, it is the responsibility of every Team Tinker employee, contractor or guest to report hazards such as these.

The VPP process emphasizes the continual identification and elimination of hazards. Success hinges on every employee doing their part. Most importantly, officials say it requires people to look outside the box for ways to address hazards. The Combined Wing Staff Group VPP team members, made up of union, management and employees have a plan to aggressively monitor and mitigate parking lot hazards.

To start, they volunteered to survey Bldg. 3001 parking lots April 11. They documented conditions they felt may present a hazard to pedestrians. This information will be used to request additional repairs if needed and establish a base line for comparison during future surveys.

VPP team members performed a previous parking lot survey in July 2008. All hazards reported at that time were addressed. Until a permanent fix to the parking lot can be made, tripping hazards will continue to develop, officials say. The VPP team needs help to track these new hazards.

The VPP team plan is to periodically inspect the parking lot for hazards. With help from the hundreds using the parking lots, the team can identify and eliminate hazards quickly. They are asking workers to report parking lot hazards as soon as they are spotted.

There are several ways to report hazards in the parking lot or anywhere else in the work area: supervisors, Tinker's internal website, hotline (739-SAFE), AF Form 457 or to the VPP team.

For more information, contact supervisors or a VPP team member.