This letter from FODNews.Com reader at NAS Pax River
demonstrates how they “make it happen” daily.
| Mr. Chaplin,I attended the 2004 NAFPI FOD Conference meeting in Atlanta. I ran out of time to cover all of the seminars that were of interest to me. The ones I did attend were very well done.
One thing about tool control. I was amazed that many who attended didn’t seem to have a clue how important tool control is. We at Air Vehicle Modification and Instrumentation (AVMI) at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, have a process that saves time and money. Each morning every tool box is inventoried by a QA person. Later, when it is ready to be taken out, the tech that will be using it checks it personally, along with a supervisor. The tech moves the box to an aircraft and tools are used as needed. After a tool is used, it is placed back in the box, in its proper spot. If the Tech has to leave a tool unattended before a repair task is completed, the tool is put back in the box and the box is locked up. At the end of the shift, the box is taken back to the storage area and inventoried again by the tech and a supervisor. We find this an ideal way to keep hand tools under control. We also have an area for specialized tools. These tools are sight inventoried at night, locked up and inventoried again in the morning prior to any use. When a tool is needed by a tech, he acquires the key, signs the tool out, and signs the key back in. When the Tech is finished using the tool, they again get the key, put the tool back in its shadowed or cut-out spot, lock up, and sign the tool and the key back in. The above works great for us. We work on other folk’s aircraft every day, all kinds, and take the responsibility seriously. Everything in its place, and a place for everything. I would like to thank all who put the effort into the presentation of the NAFPI FOD Conference seminars and presentations. Think Safety!! Respectfully, |
