The best way to protect personnel against thesecontaminants is through the use of engineeringcontrols such as local exhaust ventilation. Whenthese controls are not practical or do not providesufficient protection, appropriate respirators arerequired to assure the protection of personnel.How often have personnel used surgical maskswhen a respirator was required for painting,chipping, or grinding? That practice should bestopped. Surgical masks are designed to stop onlythe flow of oral discharges. They are not designedto impede the flow of organic vapors or metalfumes. Organic vapors and fumes pass throughthe mask and into the wearer’s respiratory system.Three general types of respirators areauthorized:Air-purifying respirator. This respiratorremoves contaminants by filtering or adsorbingthem as the air passes through a cartridge.(Adequate oxygen must be present in all spaceswhere these respirators are used.)Supplied-air (or air-line) respirator. Thisrespirator is used when there is insufficientoxygen, the contaminant has no odor, or whenthe contaminant is of such a high concentrationor toxicity that a cartridge filter is inadequate.Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).This apparatus allows the user complete inde-pendence from a fixed source of air and offersthe greatest degree of protection, but it is also themost complex.WARNINGThe OBA and emergency escape breathingdevice (EEBD) are to be used only indamage control and emergency escapesituations, respectively.Respirator cartridges and gas mask canistersare color-coded as to the type of contaminant theyprovide protection against. Respirator andcartridge selection guidance and information isprovided in OPNAVINST 5100.23B, NAVOSHProgram ManualHeat Stress ProgramHeat stress may occur in engineering spaces,laundries, and many other work spaces in theNavy. In many cases, it is the result of inadequateor clogged ventilation systems, damaged or missingthermal insulation, or excessive steam or waterleaks.Heat stress is defined as any combination ofair temperatures, thermal radiation, humidity,airflow, and work load that may stress the bodyas it attempts to regulate body temperature. Heatstress becomes excessive when the body cannotadjust to the temperature of its environment. Thatresults in an increase in body temperature. Thiscondition can readily produce fatigue, severeheadaches, nausea, and poor physical and mentalperformance. As the body’s temperature continuesto increase because of prolonged exposure, heatexhaustion or heatstroke may occur. Severeimpairment of the body’s temperature-regulatingability also may occur. Heat stress can be life-threatening if not immediately and properlytreated. Recognizing heat stress symptoms andobtaining prompt medical attention for affectedpersonnel is an all-hands responsibility, but is ofspecial concern to supervisors.Further information and guidance on theNavy Heat Stress Program is contained inOPNAVINST 5100.20, Shipboard Heat StressControl and Personnel Protection.Electrical SafetyWhatever your job in the Navy, chances aregreat that you and your personnel will be workingwith or near electrical or electronic equipmentduring the normal workday. Persons workingaround electric circuits and equipment mustalways observe safety precautions to avoid injuryfrom electric shock and short circuits. Detailedsafety precautions are contained in the NavalShips’ Technical Manual (NSTM), chapter 300,and the Electronics Installation and MaintenanceBook (EIMB), NAVSEA SE000-00-EIM-100,section 3. They may also be found in type-command instructions. For purposes of thisdiscussion, the terms electrical and electronicshould be considered interchangeable.The danger of shock from 220-volt or 450-voltac service is well recognized by operating person-nel. Relatively few reports of serious shock arereceived from these voltages despite their wide-spread use. On the other hand, a number offatalities have occurred because of contact with115-volt circuits. Low voltage (115 volts andbelow) is very dangerous, despite a fairlywidespread but totally unfounded belief to thecontrary. Contact with low voltage can cause6-6
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