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News | Oct. 13, 2022

Equipment pre-check lowers accident risk

By Jeff Landenberger DLA Disposition Services

When Equipment Specialist Roy Mitchell recently inspected a Rough Terrain Container Handler prior to operation at his Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services site in Richmond, Virginia, he noticed something that raised a red flag to him.

A medal lifting eye showing an excessive wear mark from use.
The excessive wear on a sling attachment’s lifting eye that Equipment Specialist Roy Mitchell spotted while conducting an inspection on equipment prior to its operation.
A medal lifting eye showing an excessive wear mark from use.
Damage part
The excessive wear on a sling attachment’s lifting eye that Equipment Specialist Roy Mitchell spotted while conducting an inspection on equipment prior to its operation.
Photo By: DLA DS Richmond
VIRIN: 221013-D-YU183-008
The lifting eyes on the machine’s sling attachment had deformed from excessive wear.

“The sling attachment is configured like a 20-foot container – the RETC just locks right into it, and it allows for single- and dual-point sling capabilities,” Mitchell said.

His discovery forced the sling attachment out of commission, but Mitchell said the office found a replacement through online marketplace FedMall.

“Operation of material handling equipment is inherently dangerous to begin with,” Mitchell said. “Pre-inspection really reduces the risk of operating the equipment with some kind of mechanical problem or safety issue.”

He added that there’s no way to know if his inspection directly stopped an incident from happening, but it reduced accident potential.

Mitchell’s organizational position of equipment specialist was recently added to DLA Disposition Services. Jenny Norvey serves as chief of the sub-command’s Workforce Development branch, and it was her team that oversaw development of the new position.

“The equipment specialist positions were developed to add consistency and standardization to several key aspects of processes involving equipment – first and foremost, safety,” Norvey said. “The uniformity of training heightens the focus on safe operations and the reduction of mishaps. Emphasis on consistency ensures all operators conduct these inspections before operating equipment. 

“As an equipment specialist, [Mitchell] clearly demonstrated how this position and the training contribute to safety of the workforce and in our operations,” she added.