Heat Strees Control Program

MONITORING HEARING TESTS

Boiler air casing leaks

Missing or deteriorated lagging on steam

All naval personnel receive an initial or reference

piping, valves, and machinery

audiogram shortly after entering the service.

Thereafter, a hearing test will be conducted at least

Clogged ventilation systems or an inoperative

annually while you are assigned to a noise hazardous

fan motor

environment. Hearing tests will also be conducted

when there are individual complaints of difficulties in

Operating in hot or humid climates

understanding conversational speech or a sensation of

To determine heat stress conditions, permanently

ringing in the ears. The annual audiograms will be

mounted dry-bulb thermometers are installed at key

compared to the reference (baseline) to determine if a

watch and work stations. Their readings should be

hearing threshold shift has occurred.

recorded at least once a watch period. When a reading

exceeds 100F (38C), a heat stress survey must be

HEARING PROTECTIVE DEVICES

ordered to determine the safe stay time for personnel.

A heat stress survey is taken with a wet-bulb globe

Hearing protective devices should be worn by all

temperature (WBGT) meter. You should compare

personnel when they must enter or work in an area

these readings to the physiological heat exposure

where noise levels are greater than 84 dB(A). A

limits (PHEL) chart. After comparing the readings

combination of insert earplugs and circumaural muffs,

with the PHEL chart, you will be able to determine the

which provides double protection, should be worn in

safe stay time for personnel.

all areas where noise levels exceed 104 dB(A).

Personnel hearing protective devices should be issued

As a petty officer, you should have a working

to suit each situation.

knowledge of all aspects of the Heat Stress Program

so you can recognize heat stress conditions if they

occur and take the proper corrective actions.

HEAT STRESS CONTROL PROGRAM

Further information and guidance of the Navy

Heat stress may occur in many work spaces

Heat Stress Control Program is contained in

throughout the Navy. Heat stress is any combination

OPNAVINST 5100.19B, Navy Occupational Safety

of air temperature, thermal radiation, humidity,

and Health (NAVOSH) Program Manual for Forces

airflow, and workload that may stress the human body

Afloat.

as it attempts to regulate its temperature. Heat stress

becomes excessive when your body's capability to

SUMMARY

adjust is exceeded. This results in an increase in body

core temperature. This condition can readily produce

fatigue, severe headaches, nausea, and poor physical

In this chapter, w e have described your

and/or mental performance. Prolonged exposure to

responsibilities regarding general and electrical

heat stress could cause heatstroke or heat exhaustion

safety, both as an individual and as a petty officer.

and severe impairment of the body's temperature-

We have identified various sources of safety

regulating ability. Heatstroke can be life-threatening

information that are available to you, and provided

if not immediately and properly treated. Recognizing

you with general and specific safety precautions

personnel with heat stress symptoms and getting

to assist you in your day-to-day work as an IC

them prompt medical attention is an all-hands

Electrician.

responsibility.

We have discussed the danger of electrical shock,

As a petty officer, your role in the command's

how to rescue a victim from electrical shock, and

Heat Stress Control Program involves adhering to the

the procedures for giving first aid to the victim. We

command's program and reporting heat stress

have also briefly discussed the Navy's Hearing

conditions as they occur.

Conservation, Noise Abatement, and Heat Stress

Primary causes that increase heat stress conditions

Control programs.

are as follows:

Think safety! Always remain alert to possible

Excessive steam and water leaks

danger.

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