Working Aloft

having an approval sticker or tag attached. The

WORKING ALOFT

shipboard electricians are responsible for inspecting

As an IC Electrician, you will have to go aloft to

personal electrical equipment.

perform maintenance on various IC circuits, such as

Electric shavers that have a completely insulated

the wind direction and wind speed detectors. You

housing and isolated cutting blades and that have no

should be familiar with the hazards and the safety

cracks in the housing or cord are authorized for use

precautions involved.

aboard ship. If in doubt whether your electric shaver

Personnel must obtain written permission from

complies, have it checked by the ship's electricians. If

the shaver ever falls into a wash bowl of water, let it

the officer of the deck (OOD) before going aloft. The

go. Unplug the cord from its receptacle, and take the

OOD must ensure that all energized radio and radar

transmitters have been placed in the STANDBY

shaver to the electricians for a safety check. Do not

position, that the power has been secured to all radar

use it again without first having it checked.

antennas, and that their associated controls are tagged

"SECURED: PERSONNEL ALOFT." The OOD must

No personally owned electrical appliances, such

also notify the engineer officer that personnel will be

as heating pads, space heaters, lights, or fans, are

working aloft to prevent the lifting of boiler safety

allowed aboard ship.

valves or the blowing of boiler tubes or steam whistles

while workers are aloft. The OOD will coordinate with

ELECTRICAL FIRES AND FIRE

the OODs of adjacent ships to ensure that equipment

on their respective ships will not present a danger to

EXTINGUISHERS

personnel going aloft.

When at sea, fire aboard a Navy vessel can be

After permission has been obtained to go aloft, at

more fatal and damaging to both personnel and the

least two workers will be assigned to the work area,

ship itself than damage from battle. The Navy

along with a ship's Boatswain's Mate who is qualified

requires that all hands be damage control qualified

in rigging. When you go aloft, you must always be

within 6 months after reporting aboard ship. You must

equipped with a parachute-type safety harness, safety

learn the types of fire-fighting equipment and the

lanyard equipped with Dyna-Brake, working lanyard,

location and operating procedures of the equipment.

and climber safety device (if a climber safety rail is

installed). Before each use, you should inspect the

safety harness and lanyards for defects. NEVER use

The following general procedures are used for

defective equipment.

fighting an electrical fire:

While working aloft, you should secure all tools

1. Promptly de-energize the circuit or equipment

and equipment with lanyards to prevent dropping

affected. Shift the operation of the affected circuit or

them and injuring personnel below. Keep both hands

equipment to a standby circuit or equipment, if possible.

free for climbing, and be sure you always have good

footing and hand grasp. You should wear well-fitted

2. Sound an alarm according to station regulations

clothing. Loose or baggy clothes may become caught

or the ship's fire bill. When ashore, notify the fire

or entangled and cause you to lose your balance. Your

department;

assistant should stand clear of danger from falling

if afloat, notify the OOD. Give the location of the

objects below the work area. Your assistant should

fire and state what is burning. If possible, report the

also keep all personnel clear of the work area.

extent of the fire; that is, what its effects are upon the

After the work has been completed, the OOD

surrounding area.

should be notified immediately.

3. Secure all ventilation by closing compartment

air vents or windows.

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT

extinguishers

4. Attack the fire with portable

No personal electrical equipment, such as radios,

hose reel system, if available) as follows:

(or a

television sets, record players, tape recorders, and

Remove the locking pin from the release

hobby equipment, will be used aboard ship without

valve.

having received an electrical safety inspection and

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