Russ DeLoach, NASA’s chief of Safety and Mission Assurance, presented David Burkhead and Logan Wright, Explosive Safety Program leads at Wallops Flight Facility (WFF), with “Yes, If” awards to celebrate the positive approach the pair took to address a Wallops Range Safety Manual violation.

David Burkhead, Explosive Safety Program lead

Logan Wright, Explosive Safety Program lead

During a facility inspection in July 2023, there was a sounding rocket pyrotechnic and a firing harness configured in violation of the guidelines stated in the Wallops Range Safety Manual. The pyrotechnic did not have an appropriate conductive shortening/shielding cap, and the firing harness did not have shielding material terminated to the shell of the connector.

While this is a serious hazard, Burkhead and Wright approached the violation and the required incident investigation as an opportunity to reinforce positive Safety Culture, creating a safer working environment for all.

The Explosive Safety Program leads followed protocol by notifying the appropriate individuals of the incident. The program leads stood out with their decision of how to review and address the incident.

The pair took the initiative to gather personnel, review the incident, its safety implications and discussed the importance of following safety procedures with the team. They employed a “Yes, If” approach in their determination of the next steps taken to address the violations with the team.

Instead of trying to place blame or single out the individuals involved in the incident, Burkhead and Wright approached the incident as an opportunity for discussion and knowledge sharing.

This led to a productive conversation emphasizing the importance of Safety Culture in the workplace. The development of better and safer work environment is a challenge when trying to navigate how to emphasize the need to follow safety procedures without discouraging the reporting of safety concerns.

“Experience has indicated that a negative approach to Safety Culture can create an environment where reporting safety issues may be considered undesirable,” said Todd Thornes, Safety and Mission Assurance manager, Sounding Rockets Program Office at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center WFF.  “David and Logan’s approach became a discussion opportunity for sharing knowledge and thoughts about the incident without any fear of harm or reprisal.”

Their response has actively contributed to a more open and robust Safety Culture and the Sounding Rocket Program has benefited directly from this approach.

“David and Logan’s response to this incident embraces the ‘Yes, If’ approach to more effective Safety Culture by considering appropriate alternatives to issue correction rather than employing traditional negative methods,” said Thornes. “Furthermore, how this incident was handled should be used as an effective method of producing a positive impact on Safety Culture.”