JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – While safety processes have been in place for many years, Fleet Readiness Center Southeast (FRCSE) supervisors and engineers continue to incorporate new and improved ways to better manage heavy metal dust generating areas regulated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
FRCSE Industrial Manufacturing Division employees are proactively embracing new guidelines and equipment to increase their safety while working with heavy metals. The division is divided into eight shops, many of which use equipment to mill and grind metal aircraft parts and tools.
“We continue to identify all heavy metal generating activities in the shop areas. We are working with process engineering in an effort to centrally locate all dust generating activities. This will help us better manage our dust generating areas,” said Terry Cox, FRCSE Tool and Die Manufacturing Shop supervisor. “OSHA has very stringent heavy metals regulations that we adhere to so we continue to improve how we conduct our day-to-day work and continually monitor heavy metal exposure.”
In the conventional mill, bushing and grind shop, HEPA vacuum systems have been installed on equipment and artisans are required to wear protective suits and respirators when grinding and polishing parts. An intake ventilation system in a secured room is used for processes generating metal particles in the air to prevent contamination to surrounding areas.
FRCSE Process Engineer Julio Williams is assisting with the safety upgrades by ensuring the division meets the set requirements. “I’ve looked at each shop to determine the condition, duplication, usage and operability of each piece of equipment and talked to the artisans on how frequently the equipment is used and if there are any issues,” said Williams. “Based on these findings, I’ve determined a plan that I thought would be beneficial to the shops and meet requirements of safety.”
“We’ve moved several machines to a central location and disposed of obsolete equipment,” Williams continued. “I’ve made placards which are on each machine to remind shop personnel of their role in this important endeavor. I’m currently designing a HEPA vacuum system to connect to the newly relocated equipment. I also need to design stationary holders to assist the artisans who are using these systems while the aircraft part is on the machine for finish processing.”
According to Cox, ever changing safety requirements are promoting monumental alterations for the workforce. “We grade ourselves for improvement continuously,” he said. “I spent many years on the floor here and over the years the regulations have grown more stringent due to lessons learned. It’s a different world today putting the health of our employees first and by constantly reviewing these processes. It’s a win-win for everyone.
Division supervisors take an active role by continually monitoring the shop areas. “We conduct weekly walkarounds to look for safety issues and talk to the artisans to ensure we are sustaining the safety efforts in our shops,” said FRCSE Industrial Manufacturing Branch Head Bruce McCurdy. “I’ve seen many safety improvements in my career. We’ve taken measures to reduce dust particles through vacuum systems and created break rooms to eliminate workers from eating in industrial areas. Our top priority is to reduce hazards to our employees.”
“Our employees have embraced the changes,” added Cox. “They’ve taken ownership and understand it’s for their best interest. We can’t make it work without them being onboard and following the safety guidelines. We are always striving for schedules and production but we’ve learned how to work this into our daily routine. When you are organized and taking care of safety issues, you have fewer incidents, time off, and the shop is more structured and productive. It’s nice to come into a shop that is clean and the employees are healthy.”