Tire  repair  equipment  should  also  be  in  a separate section of the shop, located near one of the shop entrances. With this arrangement, tire tools,  tube-patching  equipment,  and  air  hoses  can be  used  by  the  EOs  as  readily  as  by  the  CMs. Before  deciding  where  to  place  an  air  com- pressor  (the  large  shops  have  more  than  one), consider the uses you have for air and where the air  outlets  would  be  most  convenient.  Compressed air  is  needed  for  operating  pneumatic  power  tools, cleaning  parts,  and  inflating  tires.  By  keeping compressor  lines  as  short  and  free  of  bends  as possible,  you  minimize  drops  in  air  pressure  at the  outlets.  Short  lines  do  not  collect  as  much water as long lines and are therefore less likely to  freeze  in  cold  weather.  When  you  have  long lines, install condensation traps in them and drain the traps daily. Battery-charging equipment must be in a well- ventilated  section  of  the  shop  away  from  the welding  area,  or  in  a  separate  well-ventilated, explosiveproof building. Because hydrogen fumes produced   by   a   charging   battery   are   highly explosive, always install an exhaust fan near the battery  charger.  Make  sure  a  water  outlet  is available  because  an  approved  eyewash  and shower  have  to  be  installed  so  that  anyone involved in a battery shop accident can be bathed immediately  to  prevent  severe  burns.  Delay  in diluting or washing out sulphuric acid from a victim’s eyes could result in loss of sight. SAFETY Safety is everyone’s responsibility. It is a never-ending  job  that  cannot  be  left  to  one individual  or  one  office.  Everyone  must  always be  alert  to  accident  prevention.  It  is  imperative that you emphasize safe working practices to the point  that  they  are  routine. One of the basic rules of shop safety requires that everyone behave himself. Practical jokes and horseplay  cannot  be  tolerated.  The  possible consequences of such actions are too high a price to  pay  for  the  little  humor  derived. You can help prevent accidents by appointing a  shop  safety  petty  officer  to  detect  unsafe practices,  bad  habits,  and  defective  tools  that would  otherwise  go  unnoticed.  You  should  replace your  shop  safety  petty  officer  periodically,  thereby rotating these duties. You   can   reduce   the   number   of   personal injuries  in  a  shop  by  requiring  good  housekeeping practices;  for  example,  keeping  the  shop  floor  free of grease and oil to help prevent mechanics and others from slipping or falling. Likewise, clearing the  floor  of  creepers,  stray  tools,  and  parts  will eliminate  the  chances  of  tripping  over  them. Accidents  and  injury  may  be  reduced  or  cut to zero by starting each day with a stand-up safety lecture.  True,  this  absorbs  valuable  time,  but  it is worth it. Crack  down  on  bad  habits,  such  as  leaving jack   handles   sticking   out   into   walkways   and leaving vehicle doors open while mechanics work underneath. THE  MAINTENANCE  SUPERVISOR The battalion equipment maintenance super- visor,  usually  a  CMCS,  is  responsible  for  that battalion’s  entire  equipment  maintenance  pro- gram and all assigned CESE for the battalion and all  its  assigned  detachments.  The  senior  CM  of a  detachment,  working  in  the  equipment  main- tenance shop, is the maintenance supervisor for that  detachment  site.  Maintenance  supervisors have direct control over the administrative section. Specifically  their  duties  include  the  following: 1.  Control  and  supervision  of  all  main- tenance personnel, through the shop supervisors. 2.  Ensuring  adherence  to  the  scheduled preventive  maintenance  program. 3.   Ensuring   accurate   cost   control,   record maintenance,  and  updating. 4.  Submitting  equipment  reports  to  the A L F A     C o m p a ny commander   and   the commanding   officer   for   distribution   to   higher authority. 5. Maintaining the Construction Mechanics’ tool  allowance  and  ensuring  that  biweekly  tool inventories  are  conducted. 6.  Providing  technical  and  safety  training. 7.  Providing  technical  assistance  to  the supply and logistics officer with regard to repair parts. 8. Ensuring quality control of the repair and maintenance  work. 9.  Ensuring  that  the  Battalion  Equipment Evaluation Program (BEEP) is carried out under the latest instructions. 10.  Ensuring  that  the  preventive  maintenance schedule   is   entered   into   the   ALFA   Company minicomputer  equipment  program.  The  use  of  the minicomputer  can  then  aid  in  the  execution  of  the preventive  maintenance  program. 2-3