THE WORK CENTER AUDIT.—QA conducts these audits quarterly to evaluate the overall quality performance of each work center. As a minimum, QA evaluates the following items: Personnel and skills Technical publications Compliance with NAMP programs and MIs (or NAMPSOP) Adherence to directives, procedures, inspections, and applicable end-to-end testing Adequacy and availability of written process, test, and inspection procedures Availability, calibration status, and proper use of test and measuring devices Accuracy and proper use of the Maintenance Data System (MDS) Certification of personnel performing special processes, such as nondestructive inspection (NDI) and welding Designation of plane captains, if applicable Licensing of personnel for taxi, turnup, and operation of SE Handling, packaging, protection, and storage of aeronautical material Cleanliness and condition of working spaces Compliance with fire and safety regulations Configuration of aircraft, components, and SE Accuracy of equipment logs and records Material condition of aircraft and SE Validation of VIDS boards and VIDS operating procedures if operating using VIDS. If operating NALCOMIS OMA, review and verify newly initiated. MAFs by using the work center workload report; if NALCOMIS IMA, validation of current job status Compliance with the FOD prevention program Industrial Radiation Safety Program SPECIAL AUDITS.—In addition to scheduled work center audits, QA conducts special audits to evaluate specific maintenance tasks, processes, procedures, and programs. These audits provide a systematic, coordinated method of investigating known deficiencies, evaluating the quality of workmanship, and determining the adequacy of and adherence to technical publications and instructions. QA uses special audits to monitor maintenance programs and processes specifically assigned to QA for monitoring. In addition, QA conducts special audits of periodic inspections, testing, and servicing of aircraft by organizational maintenance activities. The QA officer normally directs special audits. Quality assurance develops audit forms with checklists for each work center. The QA division also prepares an audit MI and includes the audit checklists as enclosures to the MI. Upon completion of an audit, QA reviews the findings with the work centers involved. QA submits a report of the findings, with recommendations when required, to the AMO with a copy to the cognizant division(s). Records of audits are maintained for 1 year. Follow-up procedures ensure that discrepancies found during a QA audit are resolved in a timely fashion. Maintenance Department or Division Safety The QA division is assigned the overall responsibility for the maintenance department safety. The intent of this program is to assist in the coordination of the total safety effort. The maintenance department safety program helps to identify and eliminate hazards. Effectiveness and safety result when properly trained personnel use properly designed equipment and follow procedures under competent supervision. It is an all hands effort. Any safety effort must address aviation and industrial safety. OPNAVINST 3750.6 contains the instructions for maintenance personnel participation in command aviation safety programs. It also contains the instructions for investigating and reporting naval aviation hazards that are not reportable under the NAMP. Even though OPNAVINST 3750.6 calls for specific reports, you still have to follow reporting procedures called for in the NAMP. Other references you may use in relation to maintenance department safety are as follows: Navy Occupational Safety and Health Programs for Forces Afloat, OPNAVINST 5100.19, which contains safety precautions to be followed while aboard ship. Standard Organization and Regulations of the U. S. Navy, OPNAVINST 3120.32, which contains the standards for organizing a ship/station/squadron’s 6-15