Logistics group improves safety barrier for KC-135 aft-hatch

Tech. Sgt. Dean Pawlowski, 319th Logistics Group crew chief quality assurance inspector, connects the new aft-hatch barrier to a KC-135. The 319th LG redesigned the barrier for safety reasons.

GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE,N.D. (USCNS) - A safety improvement. This phrase best describes the reason the 319th Logistics Group redesigned the KC-135 aft-hatch barrier, which protects the rear exit of the aircraft opened during normal maintenance.

SAFETY THUMBS-UP

The new barrier was tested on one aircraft in March. After receiving a huge safety "thumbs up," the barrier is scheduled to be installed on all 319th Air Refueling Wing aircraft by the end of June.

"The old safety harness was a mess," said Senior Master Sgt. Steve Frederick, 319th Logistics Group superintendent of quality assurance. "Some [barriers] wouldn't actually stop you from falling out, but rather ensured you fell out head-first."

Air Force Occupational Safety and Health requires a barrier to stretch across the opening when the aft-hatch is removed. It requires a barrier to be hooked up, but it doesn't take the extra step toward safety and mandate how.

So, the 319th LG carved its own path toward safety.

"We needed to do something about the old barriers," said Frederick. "We looked at the current barriers, and we got pictures and samples from other bases including Guard bases. We wanted to find the safest way to get it done."

AT MINIMAL COST

The new barrier costs $9 and slightly more than one hour in manpower per aircraft. It is made up of yellow nylon straps and metal hardware for connection.

"There is only one way to hook up the new barrier," said Frederick. "It is the right size and has the right hardware." "Everything is sewn together, so there are no adjustment

straps," said Tech. Sgt. Dean Pawlowski, 319th LG crew chief quality assurance inspector. "It is user friendly."

The group hopes the safety improvement will catch on. "The next stop after modifying our fleet is to propose it should be done to the entire Air Force fleet," said Frederick.

By Senior Airman Kelly Ramey, Staff writer, Grand Forks APB Public Affair

Copyright Superintendent of Documents, Military Airlift Command Jan/Feb 2002
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved