Tagging Procedure

can occur from even a small spark drawn from a charged

phenolic material, or even heavy dry paper in several

piece of metal or rigging. Although the spark itself may

thicknesses. Be sure any such insulating material is dry,

be harmless, the "surprise" may cause the worker to let

has no holes in it, and has no conducting materials

go his grasp involuntarily. There is also shock hazard if

embedded in it. Cover sufficient areas so adequate

nearby antennas are energized, such as those on stations

latitude is permitted for movement by the worker in

ashore or aboard a ship moored alongside or across a

doing the work

pier.

4. Use insulated hand tools.

Danger also exists from rotating antennas that might

5. Insofar as practicable, provide insulating

cause personnel working aloft to fall by knocking them

barriers between the work and any live metal parts

from their perch. Motor safety switches controlling the

immediately adjascent to the work to be done.

motion of antennas must be tagged and locked open

6. Use only one hand in accomplishing the work

before anyone is allowed aloft close to such antennas.

if practical. Wear a rubber glove on the hand not used

Personnel working near a stack must wear the rec-

for handling tools. If the work being done permits, wear

ommended oxygen breathing apparatus. Among other

rubber gloves on both hands.

toxic substances, stack gas contains carbon monoxide.

7. Have personnel stationed by circuit breakers or

Carbon monoxide is too unstable to buildup to a high

switches, and telephone manned if necessary, so the

concentration in the open, but prolonged exposure to

circuit can be de-energized immediately in case of

even small quantities is dangerous.

emergency.

Each time a person goes aloft to work he/she must

8. Have immediately available a person qualified

follow established procedures listed here:

in mouth-to-mouth respiration and cardiac massage for

1. Get permission of the communications watch

electric shock.

officer (CWO) and the OOD.

Tagging Procedure

2. Check with the engineer officer to ensure that

the boiler safety valves are not being set.

For many years the Navy has recognized the value

3. Get the assistance of another person along with

of tagging circuits upon which personnel are working,

a ship's Boatswain's Mate who is qualified in rigging.

but a good tagging procedure is worthless unless it is

4. Wear a safety harness. To be of any benefit, the

backed up by the petty officers in charge. Often junior

personnel tend to take tags lightly--a tendency that could

best harness must be fastened securely as soon as the

place of work is reached. Some workers had complained

prove fatal. Then too, there have been cases where

personnel have long since left the ship and the tags they

on occasion that a safety harness is clumsy and interferes

with movement. True as this maybe, it is also true that

installed remain in place. When this happens, the entire

a fall from the height of an antenna is usually fatal.

circuit must be checked for grounds and shock hazards

before the tags are removed and the circuit energized.

5. Keep both hands free for climbing. Tools are not

to be carried in hand; an assistant can lift them to the

Recently there has been a tendency to supply power

work site.

to certain nonvital circuits, such as the wardroom buzzer

system, from local lighting panels. Since power is taken

6. Secure tools with preventer lines to keep them

from a lighting panel, the repairing IC Electrician must

from dropping on a shipmate.

tag the circuit using a red danger tag before working on

7. Keep a good footing and firm grasp at all times.

it.

The nautical expression HOLD FAST serves as a good

If more than one repairman is engaged in repairing

memory device, in case one is needed.

apiece of equipment, each person should tag the circuit

and, upon completion of work, each should remove

Shore Connections

his/her own tag.

The connection of the ship's service telephone

Working Aloft

system to a shore exchange is a frequent evolution

When radio or radar antennas are energized by

carried out by junior IC Electricians. There are two

possible hazards: the 48-volt dc power supply and the

transmitters, workers must not go aloft until steps have

90-volt ring current used in telephones.

been taken to ensure that no danger exists. A casualty

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