The avionics division officer is responsible for a comprehensive training program for supply and maintenance personnel and ensures compliance with the requirements outlined in the Electrostatic Discharge Control Handbook for Protection of Electrical and Electronic Parts, Assemblies and Equipment, DOD-HDBK-263, and the Electronic Assembly Repair, Standard Maintenance Practices Manual, N A 01-1A-23, work package 005 for all avionics personnel and others who come in contact with ESD sensitive assemblies/devices. All printed circuit assemblies/ microcomponents are considered to be ESD sensitive while being handled, packaged, repaired, and transported. Guidance and direction for the identification, handling, and protection of ESD sensitive components should be followed according to NAVSUP Instruction 4030.46, and appropriate TYCOM instructions. Supply Afloat Packaging Procedures, NAVSUP P-484, details the proper methods and required materials used in packaging ESD sensitive components for storage and shipment. Personnel safety cannot be overstressed in this program. In the past, technicians have always been isolated from electrical shock by nonconductive rubber mats. In ESD safe areas, these nonconductive mats have been replaced with conductive material/devices through which the technician is attached by a soft ground (a connection to ground through an impedance sufficiently high enough to limit current flow to safe levels for personnel), normally 5 milliamperes. NOTE: Impedance is the opposition to current flow in an alternating current circuit. Impedance needed for a soft ground is dependent upon the voltage levels that could be contacted by personnel near the ground. The practice of handling SRAs with power applied is strictly prohibited. Strict compliance with these procedures must be followed by supply personnel who receive, store, ship, and issue ESD-sensitive components. Engineering Investigation (EI) Program The EI program was established under NAVAIR direction to conduct technical engineering investigations on failed materials. These investigations include identifying causes and contributing factors and recommending required corrective actions. PURPOSE.— The EI program is applicable to all aircraft and weapons systems, subsystems, equipment, components, related support equipment (SE), special tools, and fluids/materials used in the operation of the equipment. The EI program accomplishes the following objectives: l Provides an investigation process to determine the cause and extent of fleet-reported material failures. l Supports the investigation of material associated with aircraft mishaps, lightning strikes, electromagnetic interference, and stray voltage problems. l Provides for investigation of components rejected through the Joint Oil Analysis Program (JOAP). l Supports the scheduled removal component (SRC), assembly service record (ASR), equipment history record (EHR), and module service record(MSR) programs by providing for the investigation of high-time and on-condition components/assemblies to confirm, revise, or initiate component/assembly operating times. . Provides for engineering assistance relating to any fleet material problem. . Supports the mandatory investigation requirements for activated aircraft escape systems as listed in OPNAV Instruction 3750.6. Three different types of EIs may be conducted. They are the disassembly and inspection, material analysis, and engineering assistance. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ORIGINATING ACTIVITY.— The activity must submit the EI request under one or more of the following conditions: . Safety is involved . Additional technical or engineering information is required to complete an aircraft mishap investigation. l Aircraft readiness is seriously impaired because of poor material reliability. . A component is rejected through the JOAP after authorized repairs are attempted and exhausted at the organizational and intermediate maintenance level. l When directed by higher authority. The originating activity must submit the EI request by routine precedence message within 5 working days after discovery of the deficiency. However, if the EI request is combined with a Hazardous Material Report (HMR), follow the reporting criteria for the HMR. NOTE: Refer to OPNAVINST 4790.2 for HMR procedures. 4-7