hands of the supervisor and the personnel who
maintain them. The quality and reliability of an
ejection system are largely dependent on the
supervisors and the mechanics who maintain the
systems. Because the safety precautions presented
in this chapter are basic and general in nature,
you should consult other publications for the
specifics related to the task at hand.
Smoking
Smoking must be prohibited in any magazine,
building, vehicle, or other conveyance or area
containing explosives or ammunition; where
operations involving such material are conducted;
and in the immediate vicinity of handling or
loading operations involving explosives or
ammunition. Smoking areas maybe designated
by the commanding officer.
Magazines
Naked lights, matches, lighters or other spark,
flame, or heat-producing devices must NEVER
be taken or stowed in magazines or other areas
containing explosives.
Cartridges
If a cartridge is removed from a cartridge-
actuated device, it should be marked for
identification so it can be reinstalled in the same
device. A deformed or dented cartridge or CAD
might not fit properly in the equipment for which
it was designed; therefore, in handling, special
care must be exercised to prevent them from being
struck or dropped.
Assistance
Under no circumstances should any person
reach within or enter an enclosure for the
purpose of servicing or adjusting explosive equip-
ment without the immediate presence or assistance
of another person capable of rendering aid.
Contamination
Operational activities must not apply anti-
corrosive materials to CADs. When anticorrosive
material is being applied to any item in the vicinity
of CADs or associated equipment, every pre-
caution will be exercised to prevent contamina-
tion of the CADs or associated equipment.
Contamination of CADs can have a detrimental
effect on the function of the system.
Shock
Electrically initiated cartridges must be kept
away from stray electrical currents. Under certain
conditions, dangerous potentials can be stored in
circuits after the power source has been dis-
connected because of charges retained by
capacitors. To avoid casualties, you should always
disconnect the power source and discharge and
ground circuits prior to touching them.
Reporting
All malfunctions, discrepancies, and accidents
involving CADs must be reported by message
to NAVORDSTA, Indian Head, Maryland in
accordance with OPNAVINST 4790.2. If the
suspected defect is with the CAD, the message
must be addressed to NAVORDSTA for action.
If the report describes an inadvertent actuation
of an aircraft system resulting in the CAD
functioning normally, the action copy of the
report must be submitted to the cognizant field
activity (CFA) for the aircraft with an informa-
tion copy to NAVORDSTA, Indian Head,
Maryland. Accidents and incidents involving
CADS may require reporting in accordance with
OPNAVINST 3750.6 in addition to the OP-
NAVINST 4790.2. Submission of the reports
required by the maintenance instruction does not
satisfy the requirements of the safety instruction.
If dual reporting is required, you should ensure
the reports are adequately cross-referenced to
satisfy the requirements of all commands
involved.
All CADs suspected of being inconsistent, of
malfunctioning, or of being involved in an
accident or incident must be clearly identified and
turned in to the station or ships ordnance or
weapons department. Mark the item hold for
30 days for engineering investigation (EI) pending
disposition instructions. The report should
contain the turn-in document number and identify
the activity holding the material. If CFA response
is requested, NAVORDSTA will respond with
complete disposition and shipping instructions.
If a response is not received within 15 days, a
follow-up message must be sent to NAVORDSTA
to verify their receipt of the original report.
All cartridges and cartridge-actuated devices
must be handled as live ammunition. Cartridges
or cartridge-actuated devices that have been fired
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