KIRTLAND AFB, N.M. -- AFSAS is a virtual historical database which collects mishap data reported force-wide directly from the field, producing precise analysis to help identify safety mishap trends. This database enables safety professionals to affect the operationalization of risk management with accurate recommendations.
When it was launched in 2007, AFSAS still had some room for growth as planned functions were still being designed and added to the site. Today, not only have all initial planned functions been implemented and widely accessed for nearly 2 decades by AFSAS users, but continuous improvement efforts have produced and will produce other useful modules making processes more efficient. The latest of these updates is estimated to be available by the end of 2024.
As the single source for all USAF safety disciplines to report safety related events and later use to query the resulting data from such reported events, AFSAS currently offers 11 useful modules. The following is a list of the modules and their uses:
- Analytics: Data mining tools, Business Intelligence reports and Occupational Safety and Health reports
- Investigations: Manage investigations for mishaps and occupational illness, quality control, and memorandum of final evaluation
- Inspection: Manage inspections, evaluations, and assessments
- Hazard Management: Identify and manage hazards
- Training: Track and manage safety related training
- Job Hazard Analysis: Identify and evaluate hazards associated with a specific job or activity
- DJRS: Manage Dive Jump reporting
- OSHA Site Visit: Manage OSHA site visits
- Publications and References: Provide safety publications, release notes, policy memorandums and training videos
- Administration: Administration of users, permissions and organizations
- Feedback: Collect user feedback and project management
AFSAS is always evolving, for example of the listed modules three have been recently added or significantly updated. Safety professionals are continuously looking for ways to improve risk management. The newest planned update to the database is a new Explosive Site Plan (ESP) module spearheaded by the Air Force Safety Center’s Weapons Safety Division will be available to AFSAS users by the end of 2024.
The ESP module contains features that are expected to improve the ESP approval process and communication throughout ESP routing. The module will provide real time status from the time an ESP package begins routing through routing completion and ESP approval.
“The new module will provide ESP routing visibility from the beginning to the end of the ESP approval process,” stated Col Andrew Lazar, AFSEC Weapons Safety Division Chief.
To expand on Col Lazar’s statement, users can expect a modernized site plan workflow which tracks the ESP package status, compensatory measures, deviations, and required review and renewal dates. This allows originating installations as well as NAF, MAJCOM, FLDCOM and AFSEC site planners real-time visibility on when the package was sent and received as well as its current location and routing status. The new module is designed to be the central weapons safety tracking and repository for approved ESPs force wide.
The ESP module can also be used as a method to communicate and store conversations addressing issues such as errors requiring correction before final site plan submission to the DoD Explosives Safety Board (DDESB). This new module replaces the older and less efficient process of submitting ESPs via email, where an installation would route the ESP to each level of review until it reached DDESB for approval.
After the implementation of the new ESP module, the Weapons Safety Division is also looking into creating a Dull Sword module. A module specifically managing nuclear surety deficiencies would reduce reporting time and complexity across the nuclear enterprise and facilitate more accurate trend analysis.
“An updated Dull Sword and nuclear surety deficiency reporting module will be used to feed into a broader semi-annual Nuclear Surety Operational Assessment, with the intent being to provide Senior Leaders and Operational Commanders with a timely and accurate ‘State of Nuclear Surety’ across the DAF,” explained Lazar. “That assessment could then be used to update policy, and properly advocate for resources where they are most required.”
To learn more, please visit our Weapons Safety Division webpage. (https://www.safety.af.mil/Divisions/Weapons-Safety-Division/)