Safety

when new safety posters or precautions are received,

activity. Upon transfer to a different activity, each

supervisors are responsible for interpreting the

individual usually must requalify.

messages correctly. In this way, they will ensure all

As a Petty Officer Second Class, you will be able to

personnel interpret and observe the approved safety

use the required watch station PQS to help train the

rules and procedures correctly. It is essential that all

personnel assigned to your watch section. It will also

repair and maintenance work be accomplished without

give you a way of documenting the progress of each

personnel injury or damage to equipment.

person in qualifying as an IC Electrician watch stander.

Enforcing Safety

SAFETY

Safety precautions, as all rules, laws, or regulations,

Safety is the responsibility of all personnel.

should be enforced. It is your duty to take appropriate

Personnel injury or death due to electric shock and

action any time you see any person disregarding a safety

damage to equipment require that all personnel adhere

precaution. You should require that all jobs be done

strictly to applicable safety precautions. With electrical

according to applicable safety precautions.

and electronic equipment, safety violations could result

in immediate equipment damage and severe personnel

Doing a job the safe way in some cases may take a

injury.

little longer or may be a little more inconvenient;

If you are in doubt about applicable electrical or

however, there is no doubt as to the importance of doing

it this way.

electronic safety precautions, refer to NSTM, chapters

300 and 400, the Standard Organization and

Regulations of the U.S. Navy (SORM), ONNAVINST

Safe Electrical/Electronic

3120.32B, and NAVOSH Program Manual for Forces

Maintenance

Afloat, OPNAVINST 5100.19B. Remember, safety is

paramount!

Electrical/electronic maintenance is, to some extent,

hazardous due to the nature of the work. Safety must

Safety Responsibilities

rank as a prime concern because of the inherent danger

of electrical shock.

U.S. Navy Regulations, article 0712 states: "The

Commanding Officer shall require that all persons

EFFECTS OF ELECTRICITY.-- The factors that

concerned are instructed and drilled inapplicable safety

determine whether you receive a slight or fatal shock are

(1) the amount and duration of current flow, (2) the parts

precautions and procedures, that these are complied

of the body involved, and (3) the frequency of the

with, and that the applicable safety precautions, or

extracts therefrom, are posted in appropriate places, In

current if it is ac. Generally, the greater the current flow

and the length of time one is subjected to it will

any instance where safety precautions have not been

issued, or are incomplete, he shall issue or augment such

determine the damage done. The extent of the current

safety precautions as he deems necessary, notifying,

through you to vital nerve centers and organs may

when appropriate, higher authorities concerned."

determine whether or not you survive the electric shock.

The frequency of the current is also a determining factor,

Navy Regulations also spells out specific

with 60- and 400-Hz current flow being more dangerous

responsibilities of the executive officer, engineer

than dc.

officer, division officer, and engineering officer of the

watch. These regulations are intended to make safety a

The ability to resist an electrical shock will vary

prime responsibility of supervisors. Commanding

from person to person and day to day. The Naval Sea

Systems Command (NAVSEA) has summarized the

officers cannot delegate their safety responsibilities, but

they can delegate their authority to officers and petty

relationship of current magnitude to degree of shock:

officers to ensure safety precautions are understood and

1. At about 1 milliamp (0.001 ampere), shock is

enforced.

perceptible.

As a supervisor, you must be aware of the safety of

2. At about 10 milliamps (0.01 ampere), shock is

personnel and ensure they receive the necessary training

sufficient to prevent voluntary control of muscles.

and information in regards to safety. The most important

3. At about 100 milliamps (0.1 ampere), shock is

step in maintaining safe working conditions is a

usually fatal if it lasts for 1 second or more.

thorough indoctrination of all personnel. For example,

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