402nd Safe-T-Gram quickly notifies workforce of fall protection changes Published July 12, 2011 By Faye Banks-Anderson Robins Public Affairs ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Just because something has been done one way for a long time, doesn't mean it can't or shouldn't be changed. Such is the case of the Air Force standard for fall protection. For years it had been 10 feet. It was recently changed to four feet. To help get the word out in the 402nd Maintenance Wing - where the standard is applicable to the largest number of people on Robins - the wing's safety office sent out a Safe-T-Gram to employees. "Immediately adhering to the revised standard just makes sense," said James Hogan, Lead Safety specialist in the office. "We wanted to ensure our people were quickly notified of the change, so they can comply." The new standard affects maintenance activities both on the flight line and in hangars, and requires fall protection to be used wherever there is a potential for a worker to fall four feet or more to the next lower level or, regardless of height, onto unguarded machinery or dangerous equipment. Aircraft de-icing, washing and corrosion control; engine- and landing gear-related operations; defueling and refueling; isochronal/phase inspections; and hangar maintenance are examples of some of the areas and activities in which fall protection safeguards are commonplace. "This change better protects workers from a potential fall," Hogan said. "It's especially important considering our goal is for our people to go home safe every day."