I just took over - Crossfeed

Mech, Fall, 2003 by David D. Clark

We have done quite a few surveys over the years, and the most repeated statement we hear with weak programs is, "I just took over and I'm trying to fix all that is wrong." The survey team will look at every program and can tell when one has been neglected. The team has seen cases where a turnover has just occurred-we check last month's Monthly Maintenance Plan (MMP). We also have heard that excuse when it has been 10 months since turnover, and the program still is neglected.

We often make our first discovery of a weak program when it has more holes than Swiss cheese. We find program binders do not exist, record keeping is poor, and program compliance lacks oversight. It often is hard to understand how a program has existed for such a long time, yet QA has not audited it to force compliance. This phenomena is not limited to smaller programs, like Electrostatic Discharge Program (ESD) or Compass Calibration, but affects major programs, like Tool Control, Central Technical Publications Library (CTPL), or FOD.

How can you fix this discrepancy? QA must continue to audit required programs. They must accept nothing less than full compliance with the NAMP and all other pertinent instructions. They must do this using the Computerized Self Evaluation Checklist (CSEC) and the Naval Safety Center checklist. QA must note all discrepancies and route findings through the chain of command.

Program managers should fix all problem areas as soon as possible and continuously work all areas of a program to keep it up to date. When necessary, they also should request assistance from inside or outside sources to make their programs effective.

A QAR should follow up all discrepancies and make sure they are corrected, not just covered with a band-aid repair. This approach will prevent programs from going off line at a later time.

If the program manager has questions about his program and does not know where to start, one of the newest tools in their toolbox is something known as aviation maintenance, self-assessment tools. The three types of these tools are aviation program guides, intermediate and organizational maintenance checklists, and process observation evaluation checklists. The program guides cover over 50 NAMP programs and, in layman's terms, provide a tool that can be used to help establish and to maintain an effective program. This item also provides a glimpse at what the survey team looks for on surveys to measure program compliance.

The second item is the Naval Safety Center's intermediate and organizational maintenance checklists. These modified CSEC checklists have additional questions and references from the NAMP, Naval Occupational Health and Safety (NAVOSH), and other pertinent instructions. These tools offer a great way to check a program for compliance.

The third item is the process-observation evaluation checklist (POEC). These POECs are tools that enable squadrons and intermediate commands to self-evaluate during the execution phase of a process and to evaluate program compliance. The POECs also are great for incorporating operational risk management into any program.

These new tools are available for download at http://safetycenter.navy.mil/aviation/maintenance/selfassessment.htm. They will help to keep away the "I just turned over" blues.

Senior Chief Clark is a maintenance analyst at the Naval Safety Center.