Conference 7.286::space

146.0. "LSOC Safety Newsletter" by ISTARI::HELSEL () Wed Feb 12 1986 10:03

Okay, I got something "light" in the mail from the boys at the Cape and I
have decided to enter it here.  I found it a bit humorous in view of all
the recent sadness.  If someone thinks that it is not appropriate for any
reason, send me mail and I'll delete it.

On a monthly basis, LSOC publishes a safety news letter.  In spite of what
the press says about safety being overlooked at times, I guarantee you that
safety is very critical to NASA and all its contractors.  In any event, they
have decided to publish the number of accidents per month and list them as
reported by the workers.  I assume they figure if everyone reads how the
accidents have occurred once, they will be less likely to re-occur.  So here
is the list of personal injuries for November and December.

* Dumping paers in dumpster, lid fell on head and shoulders.
* Jumped down from one platform to another, injured foot.
* Moving insulation inside orbiter, scratched arms.
* Walking in parking lot, stepped in hole, twisted ankle.
* Started to pick up reel of wire, had pain in back.
* Pulling a cart which ran into heel.
* Walking into office, stepped on board with nail in it, punctured foot.
* Washing cooling towers after launch, wind blew acid on face.
* Cutting insulation with sheath knife, cut hand instead.
* Leaning on desk, sneezed, strained back.
* Opening double door, caught finger between door and wall.
* Putting integrity seal on, stuck wire in hand.
* On 112' level of pad, got F.B. in eye from cutting and welding from above.
* Started to sit in chair, chair slipped from underneath.
* Walking too close to edge of sidewalk, slipped off, fell injured elbow
and knee.
* Crawling under flipper doors of orbiter, had pain in chest.
*Coming off of concrete ramp, tripped over rock, fell and twisted ankle.
* Attempting to load staples into stapler, staples were stuck and in an attempt
to free them, staples became imbedded in top of hand.
* Cleaning around orbiter window, got tile splinter in finger.
* Lying on back inside orbiter performing APU electrical work, got piece
of metal in back.
* Working in ECS room, turned around and hit head on air duct.
* Sprained wrist while closing door of vehicle.
* Installing extender box on MLP, fell thru grating injuring ribs.
* Removing staple with scissors, lacerated thumb.  (couldn't be the same
guy)
* Removing OHMS cover, pinched hand while pulling lever.

"A rotten thing happened to me on the way to the pad........"

This note made my day.  Those guys really ARE human!  Nice to know...

RE .2: I brought in a pile of AW&ST subscription forms and I'd be glad to
drop one into interoffice mail for anyone who wants one.  Just send a
quick note to LYMPH::INGRAHAM.

Another theory about the Challenger SRB failure: NASA disclosed that each
seal (where two segments of the SRB join) containe one or more leak inspection
ports.  These are apparantly openings through the outside of the casing
through which technicians can inspect the seals for any fuel leakage.  If
one of these ports had been improperly closed, which is done with a bolt
and/or seal of some sort, then fuel could have started leaking through the
inspection port causing the ET explosion.  I wouldn't want to be the guy
responsible for these inspections if it turns out that one of these holes
was improperly plugged.