Whenever Soldiers are involved in a test event, a Safety Release must be obtained before contact with either a system which has not been fielded or a new, non-Army battery in previously fielded system. A Safety Release is a stand-alone document which indicates the system is safe for use by Soldiers under the controlled conditions of the test event and describes the specific hazards of the system. For C-E batteries, CECOM Safety usually provides battery test results, inspections, and system safety analyses to Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC), who has the responsibility for issuing Safety Releases, although additional logistical information about the event will be provided by the PM.
**NOTE For OCONUS test events, a Safety Confirmation is required instead of a Safety Release **
More information about the ATEC Safety Release Process can be found at ATEC Safety Verification.
A Safety Confirmation is a standalone document provided by Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC) that supports milestones and materiel releases by providing safety findings and defining residual hazards of the system being fielded. When funded to support specific programs, CECOM Safety will provide ATEC testing information, inspection reports and other safety analysis documents to assist in writing the Safety Confirmation. Note that Safety Confirmations are typically for the system and not given for batteries alone. However, if a new battery is introduced to a fielded system, the system’s Safety Confirmation may have to be amended to include this new equipment.
More information about the ATEC Safety Confirmation Process can be found at ATEC Safety Verification.
Before a battery can be fielded or used by the U.S. Warfighter, even in a testing or evaluation exercise ( i.e. Testing, exercise and/or other evaluation conducted under controlled conditions) a Safety Release issued by the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC) based upon CECOM Safety’s input with respect to the safety of said battery as described above is required. See the Safety Release/Safety Confirmation Flow Chart below: