Alterations

Other safe practices in the use of portable electric

the ship. To make these repairs, it is often necessary to

power tools include the following:

use hand and portable electric tools.

Inspect the tool cord and plug before using the tool.

Safe Practices for Hand Tools.-- Normally, you

Do not use the tool if its cord is frayed or its plug is

should have no problems when working with hand tools.

damaged or broken. Do not use spliced cables except in

In all likelihood, however, you have seen some

an emergency that warrants the risk involved.

dangerous practices in the use of hand tools that should

have been avoided. One unsafe practice involves the use

Before using the tool, lay all portable cables out so

of tools with plastic or wooden handles that are cracked,

you and others cannot trip over them. The length of

chipped, broken, or otherwise unserviceable. This

extension cords used with portable tools should not

practice is sure to result in accidents and personnel

exceed 25 feet. Extension cords of 100 feet are

injuries, such as cuts, bruises, and foreign objects being

authorized on flight and hangar decks. Extension cords

thrown in the eyes. If these unserviceable tools are not

of 100 feet are also found in damage control lockers, but

repairable, discard or replace them.

are labeled for "Emergency Use Only."

Safety with Portable Electric Tools.-- Portable

Do not use jury-rigged extension cords that have

electric tools should be clean, properly oiled, and in

metal "handy boxes" for receptacle ends of the cord. All

good repair. Before they are used, inspect the tool for

extension cords must have nonconductive plugs and

proper grounding. The newer double insulated, plastic

receptacle housings.

case tools have a two-conductor cord and a two-prong

Connect the tool cord into the extension cord

plug.

(when required) before inserting the extension cord into

If a tool is equipped with a three-prong plug, it

a live receptacle. After using the tool, unplug the

should be plugged into a grounded-type electrical outlet.

extension cord (if any) from the live receptacle before

Never remove the third prong from the plug. Make

unplugging the tool cord from the extension cord. Do

absolutely sure the tool is properly grounded according

not unplug the cords by yanking on them.

to NSTM, chapter 300. Observe safety precautions and

Stow the tool in its assigned place after you are

wear rubber gloves when plugging in and operating

through using it.

portable electric tools under particularly hazardous

conditions. Examples of particularly hazardous

Nonstandard Equipment.-- The practice of having

conditions are wet decks, bilge areas, or working over

unauthorized or jury-rigged electrical equipment on

the side in rafts or boats.

board is a hazard and must be dealt with as such. The

only way to ensure that jury-rigged and unauthorized

Before issuance of any portable electrical

equipment is not being used is for you personally to

equipment, the attached cable with plug (including

make checks for such installations.

extension cords, when used) should be examined

visually to assure it is in satisfactory condition. (Tears,

Alterations

chafing, exposed insulated conductors, and damaged

plugs are causes for cable or plug replacement.) Any

Naval regulations provide that no alterations are

portable electrical equipment with its associated

permitted to be made to ships until authorized by

extension cords should be tested before to issue with an

NAVSEA. Some of the reasons for this regulation that

approved tool tester or plugged into a dummy (or

are particularly applicable to IC systems are as follows:

de-energized) receptacle and tested for resistance from

equipment housing to ship's structure with an ohmmeter

1. NAVSEA is responsible for the design and

(the resistance of the grounding circuit must be less than

maintenance of IC systems in all naval ships. Therefore,

1 ohm). Move or work the cable with a bending or

it is necessary that NAVSEA have accurate information

twisting motion. A change in resistance will indicate

as to all existing installations.

broken strands in the grounding conductor. If this is

2. In the interests of standardization, it is necessary

found, replace the cable. It is further suggested that, at

that all requests for alterations be forwarded to

the discretion of the commanding officer, a list be

NAVSEA so the alteration may be authorized for all

established of portable equipment requiring testing

ships in which similar conditions exist.

more or less often than once a month depending on

conditions in the ship. Where the Planned Maintenance

3. In the interests of conserving funds, NAVSEA

weighs the importance and necessity of all alterations so

System (PMS) is installed, tests should be conducted

according to the MRCs.

available funds may be most wisely used.

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