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NASA Procedures and Guidelines

This Document is Obsolete and Is No Longer Used.
Check the NODIS Library to access the current version:
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NPR 8715.3
Eff. Date: January 24, 2000
Cancellation Date: September 12, 2006

NASA Safety Manual w/Change 2, 03/31/04

| TOC | Change | Preface | Chapter1 | Chapter2 | Chapter3 | Chapter4 | Chapter5 | Chapter6 | Chapter7 | Chapter8 | Chapter9 | AppendixA | AppendixB | AppendixC | AppendixD | AppendixE | AppendixF | AppendixG | AppendixH | AppendixI | AppendixJ | AppendixK | ALL |


CHAPTER 4. Safety Training and Personnel Certification


4.1 Purpose

Training must be provided to assist managers/supervisors and employees in their specific roles and responsibilities in the safety programs (Requirement 25103). Executive Order 12196, "Occupational Safety and Health Programs for Federal Employees," dated February 26, 1980, and 29 CFR 1960 (Subpart H) require that NASA establish comprehensive safety training programs. See NPG 8715.1, "Safety and Health Handbook - Occupational Safety and Health Programs."

This chapter describes the requirements for establishing safety training programs and minimum training certification levels necessary for personnel involved in potentially hazardous NASA operations. Much of this training is available on the Internet through the Site for On-line Learning and Resources (SOLAR) at: http://solar.msfc.nasa.gov. Instructor-based courses are available through the NASA Safety Training Center (NSTC). The list of training courses provided by the NSTC is also located on the SOLAR website. The NSTC can be reached by telephone at (281) 244-1284. This chapter also references personnel reliability program (PRP) requirements that may be imposed for certain mission critical job functions.

4.2 Responsibilities

4.2.1 Reserved

4.2.2 Center Training and Personnel Development Offices and Safety Offices. Center training and personnel development offices and safety offices will be jointly responsible for determining safety and certification training needs and overseeing those training efforts (Requirement 25105). Typical responsibilities are as follows:

4.2.2.1 Identification of training needs (Requirement 32140).

4.2.2.2 Identification of budget requirements for training (Requirement 32141).

4.2.2.3 Development of training courses and materials (Requirement 32142).

4.2.2.4 Assurance that training records reflect employee safety training (Requirement 32143).

4.2.3 Center Safety Official. The Center Safety Official shall develop required safety certification programs for the Center (Requirement 25106).

4.2.4 Line Organizations. Each line organization shall manage the certification program for its employees and contractors in accordance with procedures in this document (Requirement 25107).

4.2.5 Medical Office. The medical office oversees or conducts the required personnel medical examinations in support of the safety certification effort and ensures compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and other Federal, State, and local agency medical monitoring and recordkeeping requirements. The medical office shall determine the depth, scope, and frequency of medical examinations (Requirement 25108). The medical office is also responsible for medical certification in health hazard and related activities (Requirement 32144).

4.2.6 NASA Headquarters. The role of the Safety and Assurance Requirements Division is to assist its Center counterparts in ensuring that 29 CFR Part 1960 requirements are followed and that appropriate Agencywide uniformity exists in the NASA safety training program (Requirement 25109). The Safety and Assurance Requirements Division will act as a clearinghouse for information regarding available safety training courses and materials and it will develop, in conjunction with the Training and Development Division at NASA Headquarters, training courses suited to specific Agency safety needs (Requirement 32145). The Safety and Assurance Requirements Division, in conjunction with the Occupational Health Division at NASA Headquarters, will co-develop training courses and materials in areas of overlapping regulatory or programmatic responsibility (Requirement 32146).

4.3 Planning and Implementation

4.3.1 A comprehensive safety training program will be formulated by each Center (Requirement 32147). Center subject matter experts will review NASA training materials at least annually and update materials as needed when regulatory agencies or changes in NASA policy documents generate technical changes (Requirement 32148). The following should be considered in developing the safety training program for all employees:

4.3.1.1 OSHA, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), emergency actions and contingency responses, and other appropriate training requirements and guidelines.

4.3.1.2 Identification of employee training groups within the Center population and determination of present training levels.

4.3.1.3 Identification of specific tasks, hazardous conditions, or specialized processes and equipment encountered by employees that would require safety training, e.g., certification training, cryogenic liquid carrier driver or hazardous waste operations, etc.

4.3.1.4 For each Center, a safety training program with written training syllabi, course objectives, and lesson plans that include lesson objectives, measurable desired learning outcomes, and formal evaluation instruments.

4.3.1.5 Identification and documentation of the planned training to be given to each employee category and the intended approach (course, literature, etc.). Refer to Appendix F for a suggested sample training schedule and career development plan.

4.3.1.6 Determination of the availability of safety training resources. A lack of a specific training resource will require the development of specialized training course materials.

4.3.1.7 Published training schedules.

4.3.1.8 Review and evaluation of training needs and schedules, and revision when necessary.

4.3.1.9 Hazard recognition training.

4.3.1.10 Training for safety committee members.

4.3.2 The Center safety office will maintain a current copy of the Center Safety Training Plan (Requirement 25111).

4.3.3 Each NASA Center will annually review operations being performed at the Center to ensure that the implemented safety training program is working effectively and to identify and enter into the program all those jobs that are potentially hazardous in addition to the mandatory listing in paragraph 4.6. Employee safety committees, employee representatives, and other interested groups should be provided an opportunity to assist in the identification process.

4.4 Personnel Safety Certification Program for Potentially Hazardous Operations and Materials

Many NASA operations involve hazardous materials or chemicals, technology, or systems with potential hazards to life, the environment, or property. People who perform or control hazardous operations or use or transport hazardous material must possess the necessary knowledge, skill, judgment, and physical ability (if specified in the job classification) to do the job safely, and be certified to do so (Requirement 25113). The following paragraphs prescribe personnel certification requirements.

4.4.1 Exclusions.

4.4.1.1 This paragraph does not apply to personnel engaged in operations that already require skill certification by quality assurance organizations, such as soldering, brazing, crimping, potting, etc., or to personnel performing inspections using dye penetrant, magnetic particle, ultrasonic, radiograph, and magnaflux, etc.

4.4.1.2 Certification of equipment and facilities is not within the scope of this chapter but may be as important as personnel certification in relation to safety. Information concerning equipment and facilities certification for operational readiness is found in Chapters 6, 8, and 9.

4.4.1.3 This chapter shall not be used as a justification for allowing hazardous duty payments, environmental differential pay, or premium pay, nor will the fact that a job qualifies for hazardous duty pay imply that it is covered by this chapter. It has always been NASA safety policy to make all operations as safe as possible. Hazard duty pay differentials are covered in 5 CFR Part 532, "Prevailing Rate System," and 5 CFR Part 550, "Pay Administration."

4.4.2 Hazardous Operations Requiring Safety Certification.

Hazardous operation safety certification is required for those tasks that potentially have an immediate danger to the individual (death/injury to self) if not done correctly, or could create a danger to other individuals in the immediate area (death or injury), or are a danger to the environment (Requirement 32150). Detailed training and certification requirements may be found in specific NASA Standards, e.g., NASA-STD-8719.9, "NASA Safety Standard for Lifting Devices and Equipment," or NSS-1740.12, "NASA Safety Standard for Explosives, Pyrotechnics, or Propellants." Center safety officials or their designees can require additional hazardous operation safety certifications but must include the following:

4.4.2.1 Flight crew members (FAA licensing may not be sufficient) (Requirement 32151).

4.4.2.2 Firefighters (Requirement 32152).

4.4.2.3 Propellant or explosives users per NSS-1740.12 (Requirement 32153).

4.4.2.4 Propellant or explosives handlers (Requirement 32154).

4.4.2.5 Rescue personnel (Requirement 32155).

4.4.2.6 Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) users (Requirement 32156).

4.4.2.7 Self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA) users (Requirement 32157).

4.4.2.8 High-voltage electricians (Requirement 32158).

4.4.2.9 Altitude chamber operators (Requirement 32159).

4.4.2.10 High-pressure liquid/vapor/gas system operators (Requirement 32160).

4.4.2.11 Hyperbaric chamber operators (Requirement 32161).

4.4.2.12 Tank farm workers (Requirement 32162).

4.4.2.13 Wind tunnel operators (Requirement 32163).

4.4.2.14 Welders (Requirement 32164).

4.4.2.15 Laser operators/maintenance personnel (Requirement 32165).

4.4.2.16 Centrifuge operators (Requirement 32166).

4.4.2.17 Range safety officers (Requirement 32167)

4.4.2.18 Crane operators (Requirement 32168).

4.4.2.19 Riggers for hoisting operations (Requirement 32169)

4.4.2.20 Heavy equipment operators (Requirement 32170).

4.4.2.21 Confined space entry personnel (Requirement 32171).

4.4.2.22 Lockout/tagout personnelv (Requirement 32172).

4.4.3 Hazardous Materials Handlers Certification.

This safety certification is required for those individuals involved strictly with the handling, transport, or packaging of hazardous materials that will not otherwise disturb the integrity of the basic properly-packaged shipping container that holds the hazardous material (Requirement 25115). Operations that involve the reduction of palletized or otherwise combined items of packaged hazardous materials qualify as handling.

4.4.4 Certification Requirements.

All personnel engaged in potentially hazardous operations or hazardous material handling, as determined by line management or Center safety officials, will be certified as capable to operate the equipment or perform their jobs in a safe manner (Requirement 25116). All contractor personnel engaged in potentially hazardous operations or hazardous material handling shall be certified via a similar process (Requirement 32173).

4.4.4.1 For hazardous operations certification, the following is required as a minimum:

a. Physical examination as required (see paragraph 4.4.4.3) (Requirement 32175).

b. Initial training (classroom and/or on-the-job) (Requirement 32176). The level and structure of training is established according to the hazards of the job being performed.

c. Written examination (as needed) to determine adequacy and retention of training (Requirement 32177).

d. Periodic refresher training needs as determined by the Center safety official, including review of emergency response procedures (Requirement 32178).

e. Recertification period (as determined by the Center safety official, but shall not exceed a 4-year interval) (Requirement 32179).

4.4.4.2 For hazardous material handlers, the following is required as a minimum for certification:

a. Specific training in the Federal, NASA, and local rules for preparing, packaging, marking, and transporting hazardous material and/or equipment operation associated with the job (Requirement 32181). Drivers or operators of vehicles transporting hazardous materials shall be instructed in the specific hazards of the cargo or material in their vehicle and the standard emergency and first-aid procedures that should be followed in the event of a spill or exposure to the hazardous material (Requirement 32182). Training requirements can be found in Department of Labor (DOL) at 29 CFR Part 1910, "Occupational Safety and Health Standards," and Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations at 49 CFR Part 177, "Carriage by Public Highway." The risk of all hazardous chemicals produced or imported shall be evaluated (Requirement 32183). Information involving this risk must be available to all employees in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.1200, "Hazard Communication," and NHS/IH-1845.3, "Hazard Communication" (Requirement 32184).

b. Written examination (as needed) to determine the adequacy and retention of the training (Requirement 32185).

c. The recertification period will be as determined by the Center safety officials in the absence of any local, State, or Federal requirements (Requirement 32186).

4.4.4.3 Unless otherwise specified, the need for physical examinations to support operator certification requirements will be as determined by the cognizant health official and will be in compliance with the applicable codes, regulations, and standards covering the occupation or environment (Requirement 32187). The need for fitness-for-duty examinations should be based on the hazardous consequences of employee`s inability to perform the job correctly due to physical or mental deficiencies.

4.4.4.4 Personnel who are hazardous-operations-safety-certified or hazardous-material-handler-certified will be identified through the issuance of a card, license, or badge (to be immediately available) or a listing on a personnel certification roster or database (Requirement 32188). The roster indicates name, date, materials or operations for which certification is valid, name of certifying official, and date of expiration (Requirement 32189).

4.5 Mission Critical Personnel Reliability Program (PRP)

This program is detailed in 14 CFR Part 1214. The director of each NASA installation will designate mission critical areas for the Space Shuttle and other critical systems including the International Space Station, designated Expendable Launch Vehicles, designated payloads, Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, and other designated resources that provide access to space. Personnel having unescorted access to these areas must meet the suitability, qualification, and screening provisions outlined in the CFR (Requirement 25117). Contracts which cover mission critical operations or areas will reference NFS 1852.246-70, "Mission Critical Space System Personnel Reliability Program."



| TOC | Change | Preface | Chapter1 | Chapter2 | Chapter3 | Chapter4 | Chapter5 | Chapter6 | Chapter7 | Chapter8 | Chapter9 | AppendixA | AppendixB | AppendixC | AppendixD | AppendixE | AppendixF | AppendixG | AppendixH | AppendixI | AppendixJ | AppendixK | ALL |
 
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This Document is Obsolete and Is No Longer Used.
Check the NODIS Library to access the current version:
http://nodis3.gsfc.nasa.gov