Are You Ready For Your Visit?: Weapons Safety PEV

Mobility Forum, Sep/Oct 2004

Safety program evaluations (PEVs) are the ideal way for personnel at headquarters and wings to effectively work together. While ensuring the best safety measures are afforded to our personnel, facilities and mission support functions in AMC, PEVs are an opportunity to evaluate safety compliance and program management best practices. "Lessons learned" end up as crosstell to other units thus improving the overall command program while specific challenges are brought into the limelight for resolution. While weapons safety might not be in the center of the radar screen most days, the importance of having a healthy program is paramount. The alternative may result in disastrous effects caused by inadequate care of our munitions stockpiles. Every AMC main operating base maintains and stores conventional munitions and for this reason, every unit has its weapons safety program evaluated periodically.

To assist the weapons safety manager in being cognizant of the myriad of requirements imposed by explosives safety standards and safety program management requirements, we (AMC/SEW) have linked a program evaluation checklist to our web site at: (https://private. amc. scott.af. mi 1/se/sew/w eapons.htm). This checklist provides a roadmap for successful program oversight and is broken down into areas such as Administration, Inspections, Site Plans and Locations, Exceptions, Mobility Taskings, Training and Operations. A manager using this tool will be able to review and self-inspect all of the elements we look at during the program evaluation since it is the same checklist we use during our visit. It also proves useful when preparing for the DoD Explosives Safety Board (DDESB) surveys conducted at each unit every three years.

Common areas where program oversight is especially needed include: training additional duty personnel within 30 days of appointment; following up on annual and spot inspection findings; close scrutiny of operations and management of licensed locations; proper fire symbol postings; and good coordination of all operating instructions and licenses affecting explosives activities at the unit. You, as the weapons safety manager, are in the best position possible to make the difference between having a successful, healthy program or a mediocre one beset with problems. You are the eyes and ears!

Any unit may request a staff assistance visit from HQ AMC/ SEW to work specific problems or to help get a new program up and running. We also like to devote time during our program evaluations to allow you an opportunity to be candid and ask questions of us, to conduct training as needed or to work specific difficult issues you may have been struggling with but not able to resolve. PEVs should not be seen as a dreadful inspection coming to town but rather as chance to showcase how your unit manages its explosives safely program. They also provide AMC staffers an opportunity to get in the field and see first hand the day-to-day challenges each of you face in supporting your unit's mission. Please visit our website for more information on PEVs, DDESB surveys and crosstell affecting the explosives safety community. Are you ready for the PEV? We look forward toit.