Preventative measures

While operation requirements, maintenance requirements (records and tracking programs), and inspection programs are standard considerations for all groups; some of the FAA Airworthiness Safety Program considerations and training courses available that would be unique to specific operators and agencies are as follows:

CFR 91 Operators and Corporate Operators

Inoperative Equipment
Certification of Amateur Built Aircraft
Weight and Balance
Fueling Considerations
Human Factors Avionics
Aging Aircraft

Avionics

TCAS
Flight Data Recorders
Elt Requirements
Cockpit Voice Recorders
Communication
Reduced Vertical Separation
Minimums
Required Navigation Performance
Installation Approvals

So, what can technicians do to increase safety levels for their operations?

Aside from contacting the local FSDOs for training programs on various requirements and procedures, technicians and other personnel should at all times, try to maintain a high level of attentiveness.

Complacency can lead to and can be traced to many unsafe practices in the workplace. It is really up to each individual to charge him or herself each day to not become complacent and accept lesser standards of quality and performance. It is very easy to develop a false sense of security when day in and day out, everything goes to plan. No incidents, no worries, right? Wrong!

It is important to remember that a lot of responsibility rides on the shoulders of each member in the maintenance organization. By keeping this point in mind, every employee should maintain a professional involvement with the aviation industry. This can be achieved by reading technical publications and participating in professional organizations. For example, did you know that ANSI (American National Standards Institute) approved new graphic standards for safety and facility signs in March of this year? Seemingly mundane things like proper signage and placement of those signs can be overlooked if one is not keeping up with compliance issues.

Safety programs are necessary for maintenance operations and the planning for those programs is important for their success. As mentioned before in this article, each maintenance facility is unique and requires programs tailored to their particular operation. By developing a solid framework, the "furniture" or various programs can be rearranged as needed to maintain a high standard of safety for the maintenance operations and their customers.