Section IV. OPERATION UNDER UNUSUAL CONDITIONS

TM 10-8415-208-12 Section IV. OPERATION UNDER UNUSUAL CONDITIONS 2-17. OPERATION IN UNUSUAL WEATHER 2-17.1 Cold Weather WARNING Static electrical discharge hazard in encapsulating protective suits. All tools and equipment must be grounded in accordance with the local SOP when working near static sensitive munitions or flammable chemicals. Absence of a proper ground could result in personnel injury or death due to ignition of munitions or flammable chemicals a. The encapsulating protective suit may give off static electrical discharges in cold and dry environments. These discharges are not dangerous except where an electrical spark could initiate a static sensitive munition (primarily rockets) or ignite a flammable chemical b. Operations in static sensitive environments should be conducted in accordance with the local SOP. All tools and equipment must be properly grounded WARNING Personnel contamination hazard. Encapsulating protective suits should be thoroughly inspected for cracks in cold weather environments. Cracks are more likely to develop in cold stiff suit material. If cracks are detected, replace the encapsulating protective suit. Failure to replace a damaged suit could result in personnel injury or death due to contamination c. The encapsulating protective suit has been approved for operations in temperatures ranging from 0°F (-17. 8°C) to 100°F (+37. 8°C). In cold weather environments the suit material may become stiff which could increase the chances of cracks forming in the material. Extra care should be taken when inspecting the suit prior to use in cold weather environments WARNING Cold weather effects the EBA warning light operation. Do not use the EBA for operations in temperatures below +32°F (0°C). Below +32°F (0°C) the warning light may fail or flash inadvertently due to a decrease in battery efficiency. Operations below +32°F (0°C) could result in injury or death due to suffocation 2-34