News

Improved process gives bladders seal of approval

  • Published
  • By Faye Banks-Anderson
  • 78 ABW/PA
Just by his name, Lyndon Baines Johnson, you knew he was destined to do some good.

Johnson, a 402nd Commodities Maintenance Group Fuel Cell Repair Shop mechanic, took it upon himself to help solve an OSHA citation. The citation centered around the process of repairing and replacing an aircraft fuel cell bladder.

He explained the old process didn't allow for two-way communication while working inside the bladder, nor was there a way to guarantee the fix. Furthermore, there were Personal Protective Equipment and confined space issues.

According to Johnson, shop mechanics would be called out to the flightline to repair a bladder and assess the damage or leak location - not with the same PPE mechanics on the flightline used routinely.

However, many of these issues were alleviated with the new process Johnson and team members devised. It was as simple as having the flightline mechanics remove the bladder and send it to the repair shop.

A side benefit of the new process was getting the bladder back much quicker because shop members would just pull a repaired bladder out of supply the same day.

And just as important to Johnson, he could now guarantee the work being done since it could be tested more fully back at the repair shop and before it goes back into supply.

"This way I'm glad to put my name on it, to guarantee it 100 percent," Johnson said. "When you're the pilot sitting in the cockpit, you want to know the work is guaranteed."

According to Johnson, he couldn't have done it without the support of his first-line supervisor, Tony Hightower.

"I've got to give him high praise," Johnson said. "He's a by-the-book kind of guy who respects his folks and their efforts."