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Issue link: http://amt.epubxp.com/i/942786
FROM THE FA A 36 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY JOHNSON R EV ISITS THE ISSUES associated with failure to follow proce- dures (FFP). What's new? Not a lot! It's the same people doing the same maintenance tasks, on the same familiar aircraft, with the same OEM procedures or company job cards, committing the familiar FFP sins. Here's an update. KEY PLAYERS OEMs strive to develop useable and understandable instructions for those who maintain their products. It is in their best commercial and safety interest to get the technical instructions right. They have systems in place for users to make sug- gestions on document improvement, as necessary. The same is true for operators, who convert OEM instructions into com- pany-specific job cards. There is no rea- son that they would purposely make the instructions difficult to use. This author does not believe that the complexity or inaccuracy of technical instructions is the primary cause of FFP. Of course, it is a very good and often used excuse from users. Mechanics and those that maintain air- craft continuously strive for quality and safety. The same is true for those who manage maintenance activity. All parties benefit from doing every task properly with no requirement for rework; no com- promise in operational safety; or for any regulatory noncompliance. While inten- tions are honorable, too often the "Heat of Battle" to meet time and production pressures overrides ideal application of written procedures. Regulators and corporate lawyers are often blamed for the complexity and redundancy in written procedures. There is no reason that regulators or lawyers would purposely make instructions dif- ficult to use. Perhaps there is a well-inten- tioned culture to be thorough and safe vs. being simple and maybe risky. In any case REVISITING THE FAILURE TO FOLLOW PROCEDURES CHALLENGE While intentions are honorable, too oen the "Heat of Battle" to meet time and production pressures overrides ideal application of written procedures By Dr. Bill Johnson BEST PRACTICES Here are example best practices categorized using TAPES T TASK • Perform all tasks in the specified order • When a procedure is problematic correct it at the working level • Formally recover from any distractions or interruptions in the task • Be sure to sign off each subtask A ACTOR • Ensure training and qualification for the task • Be committed to following the procedures P PROCEDURE • Have a clear procedure that identifies task completion • Immediately communicate irregularities in the procedure • Know that "tribal knowledge" is not necessary in a procedure E ENVIRONMENT • Recognize present risk from issues like lighting, temperature extremes • Address adverse environmental conditions as possible S SOCIAL • Everyone must address time pressure, always • Stop and ask if unclear on task or procedure • Rely on and apply positive safety culture among peer group