seriousness  of  the  reported  condition.  The  safety  officer advises   the   cognizant   division   officer   that   an unsafe/unhealthful   working   condition   has   been reported. Alleged critical danger situations will be evaluated immediately.   If   possible,   potentially   serious   or moderate  situations  will  be  evaluated  within  3  days. The aviation community has its own hazard report (HR)  system,  covered  in  OPNAVINST  3750.6Q. Aviation hazard reports (HRs) are used as follows: To report a hazard and the remedial action taken so that others can take similar action to eliminate the hazard To report a hazard and recommend that another organization  take  corrective  action  to  eliminate the  hazard To  report  a  hazard  so  that  some  other organization   may   determine   the   proper corrective  action  to  eliminate  the  hazard Personnel in aviation squadrons and wings must submit an HR whenever they detect a hazard. Command aviation safety programs must encourage personnel to report hazards. Personnel send HRs by mail or message directly  to  the  Naval  Safety  Center  (NAVSAFECEN). The   NAVSAFECEN   will   guard   the   report’s confidentiality  and  distribute  a  sanitized  report,  as  it believes   necessary.   Reports   may   include recommendations  for  corrective  action  within  the command. Four aviation hazards require special formats: bird (and bat) strikes; near mid-air collisions; physiological episodes;  and  embarked  landing  hazards.  When  these hazards occur, but they do not meet the criteria of a defined aircraft mishap, you  must submit an HR using the  proper,  prescribed  format. Hazard  Report  Responses The shore OSH office or afloat safety officer will provide  an  interim  or  final  response  in  writing  to  the originator  of  the  reported  condition  within  10  working days of receipt of the report. Interim responses will include the expected date for a final response. If the evaluation  identifies  a  hazard  and  its  cause,  the  final response will include a summary of the action taken for abatement of the deficiency. If no significant hazard is found to exist, the reply will include the basis for that determination. The final response shall encourage the originator to contact the OSH office or afloat safety officer if he or she desires additional information or is dissatisfied with the response. If the originator remains dissatisfied after discussing the matter, the individual must be advised of the right to appeal to the commanding officer. The commanding officer, or his/her representative, will  respond  to  the  originator  of  the  appeal  within  10 working days. An interim response will suffice if the evaluation is incomplete at that time. If still dissatisfied, the military or civilian employee has the right to further appeal. Personnel may appeal all the way through the chain of command to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense  (DASD)  (Environment,  Safety&  Occupational Health [ES&OH]). Civilians may continue their appeal to  the  Department  of  Labor. Encourage  the  reporting  of  hazards,  but  make  sure employees and military members understand that you are taking corrective action. As a supervisor you must take all reports of hazards seriously, no matter how minor. The Naval Safety Center tracks aviation hazard report  corrective  actions. SAFETYGRAM Reports Aboard ship, safety officers and personnel may submit a SAFETYGRAM, OPNAV 5102/4 (fig. 3-4), to report a hazard, voice a concern, or ask a safety question. They do not need to send the SAFETYGRAM through the chain of command, but can mail it directly to the Naval Safety Center. Usually, this type of hazard reporting is not used for hazards within a particular ship, but  for  those  that  may  affect  other  similar  units. OPNAVINST 5100.19B, chapter A6, explains how to submit  a  SAFETYGRAM. SAFETYGRAMs     can     be     used     to     report near-mishaps. A near-mishap is an occurrence that, except  for  proximity  or  timely  action,  would  have resulted in damage or injury to personnel. While the near-mishap does not cause personnel injury or damage to equipment or material, it does serve notice that a hazardous condition exists. This condition could result in a future mishap. The near-mishap is significant because it can serve as a warning to supervisors of an unsafe    condition. When a near-mishap occurs, personnel can submit a  Safety  Hazard  Report  to  their  supervisor  or  the command’s   safety   officer.   They   can   also   send   a SAFETYGRAM to the Naval Safety Center. The safety 3-10