USD Safety Briefing

Before you begin…

· Read and review the risk assessment and implement control measures as appropriate. 

· Have an inventoried and complete Combat Lifesaver Bag with a Combat Lifesaver (or medic) on scene.  An optional backboard with neck brace is also recommended. 

· Ensure there is adequate water and rest areas available. 

· Pair immature and mature Soldiers together and also attempt to pair Soldiers together according to weight and sex.  Avoid having Soldiers choose their own training partners. 

· Identify Soldiers with medical or emotional problems and keep a close eye on them (or assign a leader to do that).

· Clear the area or rocks, sticks and debris if outside.  If inside, ensure adequate mats and padding is available.

· Review the heat index and adjust the uniform as appropriate to include scheduling frequent breaks.  If during the winter months, ensure Soldiers “dress down” when participating to try to limit perspiration as much as possible (if outside).

· If two or more injuries occur (physical or weather related), call a training halt and evaluate all control measures and adjust them as appropriate.

 

“Good Morning (Afternoon) Soldiers, my name is ________.  I will be your primary instructor during the next block of instruction.  Please pay close attention to this safety briefing.  You are about to participate in a high risk training event.  Safety is the most important aspect of today’s training and should be at the forefront of everyone’s mind.  Everyone here is a safety officer and if you see an unsafe act, stop it and notify me or another instructor right away.  This includes watching your partner for signs of hot (or cold) weather injuries.”

“A signed copy of the risk assessment is located here (point to the risk assessment) and the medic (or combat lifesaver) with their aid bag is located here (point to the medic).  Latrine facilities are located here (point to the latrine) and water is available here (point to the drinking fountain or hydration point).”

“At this time, are their any Soldiers with prior cold (or hot depending on the time of year) weather injuries?  Are their any Soldiers who have a profile which will hinder them during this training?  Is there anyone who has not received at least 6 hours of sleep in the last 24 hours?”

“The uniform for today’s training will consist of _______ with no metal of any kind.  That means watches, rings, belts, ID tags, pin on rank, pens, etc.  Please remove these items now and place them in your headgear (if available) or to the side.”

“When training today, you will tap out if you feel any pain whatsoever.  What that means is when you feel any discomfort, you will tap your training partner, yourself or the mat immediately to prevent injury.  Your training partner will then ease up on the technique.  Do not attempt to “tough it out” or see how much pain you can endure.  Another hazard is rotator cuff injury.  Be careful anytime you move a joint of your partner and do not hyperextend any joint. ”

“You will only execute the techniques taught to you today and then only when instructed to do so.  Unless otherwise instructed, you will perform all techniques at half speed.  Be cognizant of the ground and how you can injure yourself if you fall improperly.  Avoid falling on the head or  your spine.  If you have to hit the ground, attempt to roll instead of just falling.”

“Are they any questions as they relate to today’s training?”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Example “hard copy” risk assessment. 

 

As a resource for MP USD trainers and instructors, we have included a sample USD safety briefing here.  Feel free to use all or part of this briefing for your own purposes.  At the bottom of the page is a link to an example of a ‘hard copy’ USD risk assessment.