ORDNANCE CERTIFICATION OVERVIEW

NOTE: The Explosives Handling Personnel Qualification and Certification (Qual/Cert) Program is governed by the OPNAVINST 8020 instruction, which directs type com-manders (TYCOMs) to issue a Qual/Cert instruction for their cognizant commands.

This chapter was referenced using the OPNAVINST 8020.14 joint instruction for COMNAVAIRPAC, COMNAVAIRLANT, COMNAVRESFOR, and CNATRA.

LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Identify the pur-pose and terminology of the Explosives Handling Personnel Qualification and Certification Program, OPNAVINST 8020.14.

The intent of the Qualification/Certification (Qual/Cert) Program is to ensure that before an i n d i v i d u a l p e r f o r m s a n y t a s k i n v o l v i n g explosives/explosive devices, they are qualified and formally certified by the command to which they are assigned. Each person must satisfactorily demonstrate the qualifications to properly and safely perform all required functions and tasks involving the explosives/explosive device. Accident-free explosive operations require command attention that includes certified workers, direct supervision, use of standard operating procedures (SOP), technical manuals and checklists for the task at hand, and a total quality assurance (QA) process where required. When properly managed and used, this program assures qualification of all personnel who work with explosives/explosive devices. This section will describe the background of the ordnance program and definitions of program terminology.

BACKGROUND

The Explosives Handling Personnel Qualification and Certification Program was established by the Chief of Naval Operations as a result of the catastrophic MK-24 parachute flare accident on the USS ORISKANY in 1966 that led to significant loss of life and major ship damage. The flag board of inquiry concluded the accident was attributed to a lack of training, direct supervision, and a method to determine personnel qualifications prior to being authorized to handle explosives. Qual/Cert, with proper oversight and management, can prevent similar accidents.

Although Qual/Cert has been in effect for over 30 years, improper handling, loading, processing, or testing of explosive devices continues to result in death, injury, and extensive high-dollar damage to equipment.

Research has shown personnel error due to inadequate training, lack of adequate supervision, lack of or inadequate SOP, or just plain failure to follow the governing technical directives causes the majority of explosive mishaps. Qual/Cert is intended to be the cornerstone for a ZERO DEFECT SAFETY PROGRAM.

DEFINITIONS

NOTE: All explosives, ammunition, weapons, and devices using conventional ex- plosives, pyrotechnics, or incendiary material for their operation are included in the general term explosive devices.

Before you read about ordnance certification, you need to know the terminology that will be used in this discussion. The following definitions will help when working with the Qual/Cert program and completing the ordnance certification format (fig. 4-1).

Storage/Stowage. Physical act of stowing explosives/explosive devices in designated and approved magazines and ready service lockers.

D e m o n s t r a t e d k n ow l e d g e o f a f l o a t / a s h o r e storage/stowage requirements per applicable instructions/directives.

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Handling. Physical act of transporting or moving explosives/explosive devices afloat or ashore, with powered equipment, with non-powered equipment, or manually.

A s s e m b l y / D i s a s s e m b l y. P h y s i c a l a c t o f mating/demating component to/from an all up round (AUR) configuration. This work task code is used when

assembly/disassembly is authorized in applicable weapons assembly manuals (WAM).

Load/Download. Physical act of mating an AUR with the bomb rack/launcher from which delivery/initiation is authorized. Includes all operations incidental to aircraft loading/downloading included in those portions of the NAVAIR conventional weapons

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Figure 4-1.—Ordnance certification format.

loading checklists, shipboard loading/downloading of close-in weapons system (CIWS), and NATO Sea Sparrow systems as listed in applicable maintenance requirement cards (MRC). Includes functions such as the installation of mechanical bomb fuses, arming wires, electrical/mechanical connections, installing bands on LUU-2 flares, MK-58 marine location markers (MLMs), and rack/launcher cartridges.

Arm/De-Arm. Applies to those procedures contained in the arm/de-arm section of the applicable NAVAIR loading manuals/checklist and NAVSEA MRCs, which place an explosives/explosive device or system in an armed or safe condition. This does not include the installation of cartridge-activated device/propellant-actuated device (CAD/PAD) in seats to place them in an armed condition. Arm/de-arm as it pertains to aircraft egress systems is covered in install/remove.

Install/Remove. Physical act of installing/removing all items listed in the family group aircraft egress systems and aircraft cable cutters, aircraft fire extinguisher cartridges and non-aircraft support cartridges/cartridge actuated devices.

Testing. Physical act of conducting a test on components. Built-in-test (BIT), programming, reprogramming, and presetting are included in this work task code.

Explosive Device. All combat and non-combat tools, instruments, implements, or mechanisms that use explosives for operation.

Explosive Driver. A driver of a motorized vehicle who has a valid USN license stamped “Explosive Driver.” Possesses a valid explosive driver’s physical certificate and is trained to operate and inspect for safety and security of both the motor vehicle and the explosives/explosive devices being transported.

Explosive or Explosives. Any chemical compound or mechanical mixture which, when subjected to heat, impact, friction, detonation, or other suitable initiation, undergoes a very rapid chemical change with the evolution of large volumes of highly heated gases which exert pressure in the surrounding medium. This term applies to all materials that either detonate or deflagrate.

CO/OIC (commanding officer/officer-in-charge) Signature. Indicates the signature of the person filling this billet. This billet will not be delegated.

Individual Signature. Signature of person being certified. Signing acknowledges certification level and

work task code for the explosives/explosive device/family. Therefore, a signature is required for each line entry. Collective signatures are not au-thorized.

Certification Board Member Signature. Signature of the certification board member who either actually observed or verified that another board member observed the individual being certified performing the task under consideration. A signature is required for each line entry. Collective signatures are not authorized.

Board Chairman Signature. Signature of the CO/OIC, cognizant department head, ordnance handling officer (0110), carrier air group (CAG) gunner or Naval Airborne Weapons Maintenance Unit One (NAWMU-1) executive officer (designator 636X) designated to act as board chairman. Signature and date may be collective, if desired.

Validation date. Date certification is effective. Date may be collective. Date will be in day/month/year format.

Recertification. After review of on-the-job training (OJT), lectures, other documented training, and physical exams, recertification may be accomplished using the space provided. Once the individual, the board member, and the board chairman sign and date the form, recertification shall be valid for 1 year (365 days). Line items not requiring recertification shall be deleted by making a single line through the entire line entry. The board chairman shall initial and date the deletion on the right hand border.

Corrections. Corrections shall be made with a single line through the entire line entry. The board chairman shall initial the deletion line in the right hand border of each line deleted. At this point, initiate an entire new corrected line.

Decertification. The Qual/Cert form requires a diagonal line made in red ink, signed and dated by the individual and the board chairman, for revocation of certification for cause.

Delays. Newly assigned personnel should be certified within three months (90 days) of the demonstrated proficiency dates.

F a m i l y G r o u p s . F a m i l y g r o u p s a r e explosives/explosive devices with similar characteris-tics.

Certification Levels. Only list the highest cer-tification level applicable; i.e., QA entry automatically covers team leader (TL), individual (I), team member (TM); TL entry covers I, TM; I entry covers TM.

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Descriptions of the different certification levels are given in table 4-1.

CERTIFICATION PROGRAM