Supply Chain Risk Management: Why, What and How

Valle Kauniste, Jonathan Root, Gregory Schlegel

NASA mission projects rely upon multitiered, interconnected and global supply chains of commercial, nonprofit and government organizations to develop and operate complex systems. These supply chains are subject to a dynamic array of technical, business, market and security risks that threaten to disrupt or deny the timely and affordable provisioning of products and services necessary for mission success. Thus, Supply Chain Risk Management (SCRM) is essential to the performance of NASA missions.

New NASA FAR Supplement Requirements for Counterfeit Avoidance

Tony Rodgers

The distribution of counterfeit electronic components into the global supply chain presents a constantly evolving set of risks to NASA’s assets. Understanding the advancing methods counterfeiters use; learning the Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Parts supply chain process; managing parts availability and life cycle; and implementing new regulations are all essential to mitigating the growing risk associated with counterfeit electronic part detection and avoidance.

Integrating Risk, Nonconformance and Deviation Management

Jonathan Demboski

Managing risk in a Quality Management System (QMS) is a clear maturity indicator for determining if an organization is evolving, or has evolved from, a reactive and less-controlled state toward a proactive approach to Quality management. While the concepts of Risk Management are not new, integrating Risk Management techniques within the QMS, specifically within nonconformance and deviation management, has strategic relevance.

Mentoring Techniques for Early-Career Hires

Jason Fowler

Mentors are invaluable resources for early-career hires, sharing their expertise and providing advice to enhance professional performance and development. Mentors also serve as role models and support systems for their mentees, helping them to learn and flourish so that they too can go on to mentor others in the future.

Lithium-Ion Battery Safety

Although the underlying technology has roots dating back to the 1910s, lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries have been in widespread use only since introduced commercially in the early 1990s. Today, Li-ion battery usage ranges from small tool operation to transportation vehicles to aeronautic and space flight systems.

Aging Facilities: How Agencies Assess, Prioritize and Maintain Their Aging Infrastructure

The United States continues to face the problem of aging infrastructure on federal facilities and military installations. The overall levels of facility service, reliability and performance are decreasing and the specter of insufficient funding looms large in the decision-making process.

While government laboratories and installations are integral to the science and technology enterprise, in many cases, much-needed improvements have been delayed and the total cost of rehabilitation is expected to rise.

Executive Order 13650, Improving Chemical Facility Safety and Security

Executive Order (EO) 13650, Improving Chemical Facility Safety and Security, enhances the safety and security of chemical facilities and reduces risks associated with hazardous chemicals to facility workers and operators, communities, and responders. EO 13650 directs federal departments and agencies to improve their support to state and local partners; enhance federal agency coordination and information sharing; modernize policies, regulations and standards; and work with stakeholders to identify best practices.

Ergonomics in the Workplace

Musculoskeletal injuries sideline thousands of workers every year and cost organizations billions of dollars in lost time and workers' compensation costs. NASA is not immune to this concern — employees are experiencing work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs).

Although some risks have been around for years, such as those related to lifting and carrying materials and tasks that require constant repetition with the hands, the workplace is evolving. Increased use of technology, including computers and devices of all sizes, creates new ergonomic risks.

Mishap Investigation and Corrections Process Review

Even in the most seemingly straightforward accidents, seldom is there only a single cause. The process of conducting investigations and examining causal factors must be done with rigor. Join the Safety and Health Learning Alliance as speakers discuss topics such as

• Who has investigation authority?
• How deep does your organization go in determining causal factors?
• How does your organization prescribe corrective actions or recommendations?

Program Review and Planning Session

In June 2013, the Office of Safety and Mission Assurance launched the Safety and Health Learning Alliance (SHLA) knowledge sharing initiative. Originating from an internal request of NASA safety and health professionals, SHLA is an affiliation of agency, Department of Defense, and professional safety and health organizations with the purpose of sharing knowledge and experiences on safety and health topics and issues.