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Embracing Safe Ground Test Facility Operations and MaintenanceConducting integrated operations and maintenance in wind tunnel ground test facilities requires a balance of meeting due dates, efficient operation, responsiveness to the test customer, data quality, effective maintenance (relating to readiness and reliability), and personnel and facility safety. Safety is non-negotiable, so the balance must be an "and" with other requirements and needs. Pressure to deliver services faster at increasing levels of quality in under-maintained facilities is typical. A challenge for management is to balance the "need for speed" with safety and quality. It s especially important to communicate this balance across the organization - workers, with a desire to perform, can be tempted to cut corners on defined processes to increase speed. Having a lean staff can extend the time required for pre-test preparations, so providing a safe work environment for facility personnel and providing good stewardship for expensive National capabilities can be put at risk by one well-intending person using at-risk behavior. This paper documents a specific, though typical, operational environment and cites management and worker safety initiatives and tools used to provide a safe work environment. Results are presented and clearly show that the work environment is a relatively safe one, though still not good enough to keep from preventing injury. So, the journey to a zero injury work environment - both in measured reality and in the minds of each employee - continues. The intent of this paper is to provide a benchmark for others with operational environments and stimulate additional sharing and discussion on having and keeping a safe work environment.
Document ID
20100025456
Acquisition Source
Langley Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Dunn, Steven C. (Jacobs Technology Inc. United States)
Green, Donald R. (Jacobs Technology Inc. United States)
Date Acquired
August 24, 2013
Publication Date
June 28, 2010
Subject Category
Ground Support Systems And Facilities (Space)
Report/Patent Number
NF1676L-10996
Meeting Information
Meeting: 27th AIAA Aerodynamic Measurement and Ground Testing Conference
Location: Chicago, IL
Country: United States
Start Date: June 28, 2010
End Date: July 1, 2010
Sponsors: American Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Funding Number(s)
WBS: WBS 432938.11.01.07.45.03
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.

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