Motorcycle personnel protective equipment mandatory on, off base

  • Published
  • By Bill Emmer
  • Nuclear Weapons Center Safety
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, New Mexico --  Motorcycle personnel protective equipment requirements are derived from Department of Defense Instruction 6055.4. Paragraph E3.2. The following items of personal protective equipment are required for military personnel both on and off duty and all civilians riding a motorcycle on military installations must wear:

· A Department of Transportation approved helmet properly fastened under the chin

· Impact or shatter resistant goggles or full-face shield properly attached to helmet. A windshield or eyeglasses alone are not proper eye protection

· Sturdy footwear, leather boots or over the ankle shoes are strongly encouraged.

· A long-sleeved shirt or jacket, long trousers, and full-fingered gloves or mittens designed for use on a motorcycle

· A brightly colored outer upper garment during the day and a reflective upper garment during the night. Outer upper garment shall be visible and not covered

These instructions apply to all military personnel at any time, on or off a DOD installation; all DOD civilian personnel in a duty status, on or off a DOD installation; everyone in or on a DOD-owned motor vehicle; and everyone on a DOD installation whether military, DOD civilian, other agency personnel, contractors or casual visitors.

In addition to the above, Kirtland Air Force Base Instruction 31-204 Paragraph 4.21.3.12.1 requires that "Personnel operating a motorcycle must wear an upper garment containing a minimum of 144 square inches of one of the following authorized bright/contrasting colors: International Orange, International Red, International Yellow, etc. The garment must be reflective for use during hours of darkness and limited visibility. This garment must be worn as the outermost layer of clothing. In addition, the full 144 square inches must be visible to the rear."