OFF THE WIRE
By: Justin Creech
Staff writer
Is this the beginning of mandating "high visibility" protective gear for all of us?
http://www2.belvoireagle.com/news/2012/jan/26/motorcyclists-must-wear-personal-protective-equipm-ar-1641966/ Motorcyclists must wear personal protective equipment Retro-reflective vests keep riders safe
Fort Belvoir residents and civilians who operate or ride a motorcycle on the installation must be in full-compliance with Fort Belvoir Regulation 190-5 while on the installation.
The regulation states that Soldiers will wear proper eye protection, full-fingered gloves, long trousers, long sleeved shirt or jacket. A high-visibility safety vest or jacket that is fluorescent in color (orange, yellow, green or pink), with retro-reflective qualities that can be seen from the front, sides, and rear, must be worn at all times.
Civilians who come on post must wear the same protective clothing specified for Soldiers when operating or riding a motorcycle, trikes or moped on Army installations or while on government business off the installation.
Active-duty or civilian operators, or riders not in full-compliance with FB 190-5 will be turned away at all entry gates.
"Soldiers and civilians coming on post have to be in full-compliance or they will not be allowed on the installation," said Timothy Wolfe, Fort Belvoir chief of police.
FB 190-5 should not be confused with safety regulation 385-10 which says riders are encouraged to select personal protective equipment (PPE) that incorporates fluorescent colors and retro-reflective material.
In April 2009, Department of Defense Instruction 6055.4 changed the language of safety regulation 385-10 from must wear to highly encouraged.
When two regulations or policies are in conflict the most stringent is always applied.
"In the safety world, the most stringent regulation is the regulation that you have to follow," said Susan Roeder, Director, Installation Safety Office.
Even though safety regulation 385-10 discouraged Commanders from adding PPE requirements at the local level, it does not prevent them from doing so.
"General (Michael) Linington has given all of the Garrison Commanders under the Military District of Washington the authority to run their installations the way they see fit," said Wolfe. "After talking with Dave Parchman, the Directorate of Emergency Services Director, and with the Judge Advocate General, Colonel John Strycula, Fort Belvoir garrison commander, has mandated that we are going to leave FB 190-5, as is. Colonel Strycula is responsible for the safety and security for all the Soldiers, Families and visitors on the installation."
Riders who choose not to follow the regulation can be given a ticket if a Belvoir officer sees them riding on post with out any of the specified PPE’s.
"First off, you’re going to be turned away at the gate if you’re not in full compliance," said Wolfe. "But, if you get on post and a police officer sees you he is going to stop you and give you a summons. If you continue to disregard the garrison commander’s policies he can suspend your privilege to drive on this installation."
Fort Belvoir law enforcement will not hesitate to rescind anyone’s driving privileges if they deem it necessary.
"Numerous tickets will get me to go up to the DES director and say ‘Look, this person has gotten three or four summons for the same violation,’" said Wolfe. "He’s not complying with the directives set forth by the garrison commander it’s time to suspend his privilege to drive on the installation."
The regulation extends to Belvoir police officers as well while they are on duty.
"Even our police on motorcycles have to wear the retro-reflective vests or jackets," said Wolfe. "Everybody has to follow the same rules."
