Safety is our most important value. Our mission success depends on the safety of each person that works at Ames. Safety is an inherent part of everything we do, especially our research and development. We are committed to the following safety principles:

1. Safety is everyone's responsibility
2. Safety is vital to NASA missions
3. Risks can and will be managed
4. Injuries can be prevented with training, preparation, and awareness
5. Management is accountable for ensuring a safe work environment

Safety is a condition of employment and each of you is expected to be committed to making Ames an accident-free workplace. Each person is expected to follow safety procedures and implement safe work practices in their work.

It is Ames policy to encourage employees to participate in their safety and health and in the development and implementation of Safety and Health programs. The following are some of the ways in which employees may get involved: monthly supervisor inspections, safety committees, safety suggestion program, close call and hazard reporting, bi-monthly safety meetings, and the Ames Safety Awards Program (ASAP II).

Each member of civil service and contract management, is expected to promote safety by example, and is ultimately responsible to ensure that each employee receives the training, tools, and instruction to do their jobs safely. Safety is the responsibility of every employee and contractor that works at Ames.

We are personally committed, along with my staff, to provide a safe and healthful work environment at Ames. By doing this together, we are confident we can achieve positive results.

S. Pete Worden
Director

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1.2 Responsibilities

This manual sets forth policy, procedures and instructions for the Ames Safety and Health Programs. In addition, it assigns authority, responsibility and requirements relative to these programs.

1.2.1 Safety & Health Official

1.2.1 The Director of the Safety and Mission Assurance Directorate (Code Q), shall be the functional manager with authority and oversight responsibility for the matters addressed in this manual.

1.2.2 The Director of Code Q shall:

1. Provide local SMA leadership and policy implementation direction for Center-hosted programs, projects, and operations
2. Serve as the Center focal point for the alternative, independent SMA line of communication
3. Assure that effective and efficient SMA processes are in place to enhance the potential for success of NASA programs, projects, elements, and activities hosted by the Center
4. Conduct surveillance and independent assessments to enhance (1) the success of programs, projects, elements, and activities; and (2) the effectiveness of SMA activities
5. Oversee any SMA activities managed by other organizations, such as aviation safety, lifting safety, pressure-systems safety, firefighting, and emergency response
6. Review, in coordination with their Center's program, project, and element personnel, SMA and RM plans for the programs, projects, and elements at the Center
7. Perform hazard analyses and SMA assessments in support of program, project, and element needs
8. Provide SMA expectations and evaluations to local Center Program Management Council activities.
9. Evaluate and independently assess safety and mission success residual risk and determine that the risk may be accepted

1.2.3 The Director of Code Q is authorized to direct the suspension of any activity that presents either a present hazard (imminent danger) or future hazard to people, property, or mission operations due to unsafe acts or conditions that might be identified by either inspection or analysis.

1.2.4 The Director of Code Q shall be the designated Safety and Health Official for Ames Research Center (Reference NPD 8710.2). Various other health and safety personnel and officers may be delegated specific program authority under the direction of the Safety and Health Official as delineated within the chapters of the manual.

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1.3 General Safety Concepts and Requirements

1.3.1 Safety shall be approached in a disciplined and systematic method at ARC, consisting of the following steps:

1. Identify, evaluate, and control the hazards present in each workplace.
2. Apply engineering and/or administrative controls to eliminate the hazard or minimize the consequences of the hazard. Controls may include machine guarding, excluding personnel from an area, restricting the amount of time employees spend in an area, adding or upgrading ventilation, developing safe work procedures, using personal protective equipment (PPE), or training.
3. Conduct periodic assessments and inspections to ensure that controls are in place, are being used, and are effective.

1.3.2 Although safety controls may vary significantly from one workplace to another, a number of common controls help contribute to a safe working environment regardless of location or task. These requirements are discussed in the various chapters of this manual.

1.3.3 Specific guidance on identifying and controlling facility hazards can be obtained from the Safety, Health, & Medical Services Division (QH).

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1.4 Revision and Availability

1.4.1 The chapters in this manual are updated periodically because of frequent changes in health and safety information and regulations promulgated by both the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and NASA. Hard copy versions of this manual may not be up-to-date. For the most current safety and health information, please refer to the on-line version from the Center Directives Management System. There is a convenient link to that system on the Code Q home page at http://q.arc.nasa.gov/.

1.4.2 A current copy of this manual shall be available by requesting it from the Ames Safety, Health & Medical Services Division at this address:

Occupational Safety, Health and Medical Services Division
QH: 237-14
Moffett Field, CA 94035-1000
(650) 604-5602
Fax (650) 604-0680

1.4.3 This manual is part of the Ames Policy Directive Series and follows the procedures for approval of publication contained in APD 1410.1, Management Directives Program.

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1.5 Deviation/Waiver

The purpose of a Deviation or Waiver is that it provides management acceptance of a hardware part or facility construction that does not conform to applicable codes, requirements, or specifications. A Deviation refers to nonconformity during the planning or design stage of an item. A Waiver is required during an item's fabrication or after an inspection or test, when the item is found to depart from specified requirements, but it is considered for use "as is" or after modification.

1.5.1 A Deviation or Waiver can be requested by submitting ARC Form 762 to the Director of Safety and Mission Assurance.

1.5.2 The Code Q Director shall determine what additional approval signatures will be required and whether or not the request for a Waiver/Deviation should be approved, presented to the Executive Safety Committee, or otherwise briefed to center management.

1.5.3 Deviations and Waivers are not permitted for issues/concerns that are addressed under the OSHA and/or NRC regulations.

1.5.3.1 Deviations and/or Waivers from OSHA and/or NRC regulations must be obtained directly from OSHA or the NRC

1.5.3.2 Deviations and/or Waivers from OSHA and/or NRC regulations must be coordinated through the Safety, Health and Medical Services Division and NASA Headquarters.

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