Secure all tools and equipment with lanyards to
prevent dropping them and injuring personnel below.
Burning and welding or the presence of any open flame
isn’t permitted on a stage or boatswain’s chair unless the
suspension ropes and bridle are made of steel. Always
check equipment for weakened or broken fittings before
going aloft.
When working over the side, you must wear a
standard Navy safety harness with a safety line attached
and tended by someone on deck. You must also wear an
inherently buoyant life jacket with a hole in the back.
The hole in the life jacket will allow you to wear a safety
harness. The line should be only long enough to permit
freedom of movement.
Wear a life jacket when you work at underway
replenishment stations, when you are in a lifeboat at sea,
when you work on weather decks during heavy weather,
or whenever you are directed to do so. While the ship is
under way, you must be given permission by the CO to
work over the side.
ANTENNAS
Personnel aren’t permitted to go aloft in the vicinity
of energized antennas. The voltages set up in a ship’s
structure or section of rigging by electromagnetic
radiation (EMR) can shock or burn you. When deck
force personnel or others work on rigging, they must be
familiar with the hazards that exist and know the
precautions to be observed. Safety harnesses are used
when working aloft to guard against falls.
The previously mentioned precautions should be
observed also when other antennas in the immediate
vicinity are energized by electronic transmitters, unless
it is definitely known that no danger exists. Other
antennas may be interpreted to mean any antennas on
board another ship moored alongside or across a pier or
at a nearby shore station.
Personnel aloft are in danger from falls caused by
radar or other antennas that rotate or swing through
horizontal or vertical arcs. Motor switches controlling
the motion of radar antennas should be locked open and
tagged before you go aloft to work in the vicinity of such
antennas.
REVIEW 4 QUESTIONS
Q1. Handling cargo improperly can result in injury
and death. What precautions should you follow
in the following cases?
a. Working over the side
b. Lifting heavy objects
c. Steadying a load
Q2. What person grants permission for any work
done aloft?
Q3. What precautions are taken before permission is
given for personnel to work aloft?
Q4. Describe the purpose of lifelines.
Q5. Describe the equipment you should wear when
working over the side.
STEAM
Most accidents involving steam occur in engine
rooms and firerooms. However, steam lines run
throughout a ship; therefore, observe proper
precautions at all times. Some practices can be applied
to almost any situation regardless of the type of
equipment, the steam pressure, or any other job-related
condition.
Live steam is often invisible and it is always
dangerous. If you are not familiar with a system or have
not been trained for the task at hand, do not attempt the
job.
Always drain lines before removing valves or
otherwise opening the system. Close all associated
19-8
Student Notes:
