PROGRAM INITIATION

Commanding officers or officers in charge initiate, monitor, and maintain the Explosives Handling Personnel Qualification and Certification Program.

Personnel

Personnel within the program should be sent to formal schools, if possible, and personnel qualification standards are required, where applicable. However, school attendance and personnel qualification standards do not necessarily qualify an individual for certification.

Certification board members are appointed by name and in writing by the commanding officer/officer in charge. The authority may not be delegated. Certification must be documented by using the format shown in figure 11-1. The original is maintained by the board chairman. A copy is placed in the individual's training records. When the individual is transferred, the original (maintained by the board chairman) is placed on the left side of the individual's service record.

Certification of military personnel is transferable at the discretion of the receiving command. Receiving commands should validate the certification by placing the board chairman's signature in the recertification block. Certification, unless revoked, is valid for a period of 1 year.

Aviation Ordnance Family Types

Training record documentation is by specific explosive device and task. This training will be documented by using an OJT/Professional Training Record Sheet (fig. 11-2). This documentation must support the level of certification listed on the individual's or teams' certification form and must reflect all the individual's or teams' training.

Figure 11-2.-OJT/Professional Training Record Sheet.

NOTE: Supplemental instruction of the Explosives Handling Personnel Qualification and Certification Program by subordinate commands is neither required nor desired.

CERTIFICATION BOARD

The commanding officer or officer in charge of each organization whose duties include handling explosive devices appoints (in writing) an explosives handling personnel qualification and certification board. The following personnel are the minimum personnel included on the board:

A department head, designated as the board chairman

No less than one individual, E-6 or above/ civilian supervisor, who is certified to perform the function or tasks under consideration

If seniority requirements cannot be met from within the command, a waiver of personal seniority for the board may be requested from the TYCOM, via the chain of command.

The board chairman is not required to be certified. However, the board chairman certifies other board members. Because of the number of tasks and the number of explosives devices found in some commands, board augmentation with personnel from other commands is authorized and, in some instances, desirable.

CERTIFICATION BOARD RESPONSIBILITIES

Some of the responsibilities of the certification board are discussed below.

The objective of the board is to ensure that applicable personnel are certified to perform those explosive devices work tasks required for accomplishment of the command mission.

The board coordinates the unit personnel certification program, It ensures that administrative procedures are established to ensure the establishment and effectiveness of the program.

The board observes and evaluates the proficiency of the personnel being nominated for certification and makes recommendations concerning certification nomination to the board chairman. If a person nominated for certification requires additional training and/or experience before certification can be made, that person's division officer or supervisor is notified.

The board reviews proposed formal courses of instruction and makes appropriate recommendations.

The board reviews safety infractions concerning explosive devices. It makes recommendations to unit commanders concerning corrective actions. If an explosive incident or accident is caused by a person's failure to use or to adhere to the authorized procedures, the person's certification is revoked.

IN SUCH A CASE, REVOCATION OF CERTIFICATION IS MANDATORY!

If a person exhibits a flagrant disregard of safety precautions, a reckless operation of explosive devices handling equipment, or unreliability, that person's certification must be removed

The certification levels and minimum qualifications are given in OPNAVINST 8023.2.