Flightline maintainers place safety as top priority

Published June 8, 2012
By Tyler Grimes
60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- In today's Air Force, keeping planes in the air takes around-the-clock dedication from the Airmen who maintain the aircraft. To ensure the mission continues, there is a team within the 60th Maintenance Group who monitors and protects the base so our Airmen and aircraft return home safely every day.

The 60th MXG has many programs and regulations to help Airmen do their job efficiently while keeping safety a top priority, according to Tech. Sgt. Hugh Fetla, 60th Maintenance Squadron unit safety representative.

"Maintenance safety is especially important because of the potential dangers Travis maintainers face," Fetla said. "Whether they are handling weapons in the munitions flight, the fuels shops where they work with flammable substances in small areas, dealing with high-voltage equipment in the electrical shop or the many other shops in the 60th MXG."

In order to mitigate the risks associated with the work of a maintainer, Fetla asks Airmen to always use their checklists and technical orders when performing a task. He explains that using TO's are important because they describe how each task is to be safely done in detail. Even if the task seems very simple or a task they do on a regular basis, he stresses that is when compliancy can set in.

"Airmen sometimes think 'I have done this 1,000 times before, so I don't need the TO,'" he said. "That's when people get hurt."

To avoid these mishaps, Fetla and his team hold initial job safety briefs to train Airmen on safety issues concerning their specific work center. He also is in charge of the lockout, tag out program for his squadron, which is intended to make sure any industrial equipment that needs repair is safely powered down and secure. Another aspect of Fetla's duties is to inspect maintenance work centers and counsel Airmen on taking all necessary safety precautions.

"It could be as simple as explaining why you must wear your protective gear or telling them it's OK to ask for help on a task," he said.

When an accident does occur involving a damaged aircraft or an injured Airman, Fetla must file a report about it. Then the report is given to a 60th MXG safety manager such as Tech. Sgt. Cory Kozlowski. Based on the information in the report, Kozlowski will investigate the incident by inspecting the equipment or work center involved. He will also interview the Airmen present during the mishap and review the procedures performed when the incident occurred.

With the data collected, Kozlowski briefs the 60th MXG commander on the findings and if there are any safety trends such as an increase in injuries the group should address.

"This position is basically the eyes and ears for the group commander in the area of safety," said Master Sgt. Trace Martin, 60th MXG environmental manager. "We are the main informational focal point responsible for ensuring maintainers are knowledgeable about safety issues and concerns."

One of the tools the 60th MXG safety managers use to promote maintenance safety is Risk Assessment Management. The RAM is implemented before performing a large-scale task such as changing an engine on an aircraft to determine if any of the Airmen on the tasking have training or personal issues that may put their ability to do the task safely in doubt.

Although there are many dangers associated with being a maintainer, safety is always the top priority. Maintaining this priority is everyone's responsibility and can help ensure our Airmen, aircraft and missions remain in one piece.