Soureces of Safety Information

12. Never use your finger to test a "hot" line. Use

SAFE PRACTICES.-- When working on electrical

approved meters or other indicating devices.

or electronic circuits, you must observe applicable

safety precautions and follow approved procedures.

It is the responsibility of every person connected

These precautions should be scrupulously followed by

with equipment maintenance to discover and eliminate

both yourself and the person working with you.

unsafe work practices.

1. Electrical and electronic circuits often have

more than one source of power. Take time to study the

Sources of Safety Information

schematics or wiring diagrams of the entire system to

ensure that all power sources are secured and tagged out.

Included among the available sources of safety

information are directives, instructions, and notices

2. If pertinent, inform the remote station

issued by the Chief of Naval Operations, the NSTMs,

regarding the circuit on which work will be performed.

manufacturers' technical manuals, safety notices, and

3. Use one hand when you turn switches on or off.

bulletins published periodically.

Keep the doors to switch and fuse boxes closed, except

SAFETY DIRECTIVES AND PRECAU-

when working inside or replacing fuses.

TIONS.-- The items in the various safety directives and

4. After frost making certain that the circuit is

publications are designed to cover usual conditions in

dead, use a fuse puller to remove cartridge fuses.

naval activities. Commanding officers and others in

authority are authorized and encouraged to issue special

5. All supply switches or cutout switches from

precautions to their commands to cover local conditions

which power could possibly be fed should be secured in

and unusual circumstances. Guidance for the promotion

the off or open (safety) position and tagged with a red

of accident prevention aboard ship is contained in the

danger tag (NAVSHIPS 9890/S(REV)).

Navy Occupational Safety and Health (NAVOSH)

6. Keep clothing, hands, and feet dry if at all

Program Manual for Forces Afloat, OPNAVINST

possible. When it is necessary to work in wet or damp

5100.19B, and the Navy Occupational Safety and

Health (NAVOSH) Program Manual, OPNAVINST

locations, use a dry steady platform to sit or stand on,

5100.23B. Safety directives and precautions should be

and place a rubber mat or other nonconductive material

followed to the letter in their specific application.

on top of the platform. Use insulated tools and insulated

Should any occasion arise in which any doubt exists as

flashlights of the molded type when required to work on

to the application of a particular directive or precaution,

exposed parts. In all instances, repairs on energized

the measures to be taken are those which will achieve

circuits must be made with the primary power not

maximum safety. The safety officer is available to assist

applied except in case of emergency, and then only after

in interpreting and suggesting ways of implementing

specific approval has been given by the commanding

safety directives and precautions.

officer. When approval has been obtained to work on

NAVAL SHIPS' TECHNICAL MANUAL.--

equipment with the power applied, keep one hand free

Chapter 300, "The Electrical Plant General," gives clear

at all times (behind you or in your pocket).

and concise electrical safety precautions that should be

7. Never short out, tamper with, or block open an

"required study material for all hands." Although some

interlock switch.

areas may need explanation to nonrated personnel,

many items of common sense are stressed. This material

8. Keep clear of exposed equipment; when it is

should be included in the training of all personnel, with

necessary to work on it, wear approved, tested rubber

heavy emphasis placed on the correct procedure for

gloves and work with one hand as much as possible.

artificial respiration.

9. Avoid reaching into enclosures except when

Other chapters of the NSTM, including chapter 430,

absolutely necessary; when reaching into an enclosure,

"Interior Communications," give specific precautions

use rubber gloves to prevent accidental contact with the

related to specific areas.

enclosure.

MANUFACTURERS' TECHNICAL MANU-

10. Make certain that equipment is properly

ALS.-- Applicable safety precautions are written in all

grounded.

equipment technical manuals. Generally speaking, most

11. Turn off the power before connecting alligator

training underscores the Principle of Operation and the

Maintenance sections of these manuals, yet fails to place

clips to any circuit.

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