to establish safe work schedules in heat stress
environments.
Aboard ship, heat stress conditions can occur in
almost any space. The causes of heat stress conditions
are steam and water leaks, ventilation system
deficiencies, missing or deteriorated insulation, and
weather conditions of high heat and humidity.
Prolonged exposure to heat stress conditions can cause
heat exhaustion or heatstroke. These injuries occur
when the body temperature continues to increase. The
first signs are—
Increased body temperature causing fatigue
Severe headache
Nausea
Reduced physical and mental performance
If not immediately and properly treated, these
injuries can be life threatening.
The best way to control heat stress hazards is to
follow recommended work practices and procedures.
Every ship in the Navy has a heat stress monitoring
program. This program is designed to assist personnel
that may be required to work in a heat stress
environment by limiting the time they spend in a high
heat stress situation. Personnel required to work in a
heat stress environment receive training at regular
intervals. Heat stress not only affects personnel that
work below decks or in confined spaces but also
personnel that work topside. Read your command’s heat
stress instruction; it may help you work smarter and
safer.
COLD WEATHER
The Navy conducts operations in areas where
weather is often a problem. You have already learned
about the possible problems that you may meet in the
Tropics. Now, you will learn about the problems you
may face when the Navy operates in severe cold weather
areas. These problem areas range from the Antarctic to
the northern regions of the Pacific or Atlantic Oceans.
Your major health risk when working in these areas
is hypothermia. Hypothermia results when the
temperature of the body reaches subnormal levels. First
aid for hypothermia, like that for heat stress, must be
immediate. Other safety factors involved with
operations in colder regions include ice accumulation
on ships’ decks and superstructures or when outside
bulkheads or fittings become so cold that, when touched
with bare skin, the skin sticks to these objects.
To protect yourself from hypothermia if you’re
working topside or go topside as part of your duties, you
need to wear clothing designed to maintain body heat.
You need to limit the amount of time you’re exposed to
such conditions. If you work topside and start to lose
feeling on any part of your body, get inside and warm
up. Safety is paramount!
REVIEW 12 QUESTIONS
Q1. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are life
threatening. List the symptoms of heat
exhaustion and heat stroke.
a.
b.
c.
d.
Q2. What is the major health threat of cold weather?
GENERAL PRECAUTIONS
The precautions that follow are general, all-around
safety practices that don’t fit into any particular
category. Some apply to several situations. Failure to
observe any one of these practices could result in a
serious mishap.
Use tools that fit the work being done.
Screwdrivers aren’t meant to be used as punches.
19-23
Student Notes:
