MAN ALOFT SAFETY Since  many  areas  on  the  exterior  of  a  ship  that contain radar equipment are inaccessible from decks or built-in   work   platforms,   someone   must   go   aloft   to work  in  these  areas.  We  define  “aloft”  as  any  mast, kingpost, or other structure where the potential for a fall   exists.   Probably   the   greatest   hazard   associated with working aloft is the danger of a fall. Other hazards include electrical shock, radiation burns, asphyxiation from stack gasses, and the dropping of objects. As  long  as  nearby  equipment  is  turned  off,  you should not have to worry about receiving a shock from current  generated  by  the  equipment.  However,  you must  be aware of the possibility of shock due to static charges.   Static   charges   are   caused   by   electrically charged   particles   that   exist   naturally   in   the   water. Under   certain   conditions   these   charged   particles collect on metallic objects such as wire antennas and produce a shock hazard. You can eliminate this hazard by grounding these objects. Shocks from static charges will not harm you directly, but the surprise of such a shock may cause you to fall. WORKING ALOFT CHECK SHEET Because of the associated dangers, no one may go aloft   on   masts,   stacks,   or   kingposts   without   first obtaining  permission  from  the  Officer  of  the  Deck (OOD), as prescribed by the Navy Occupational Safety and  Health  (NAVOSH)  Program  Manual  for  Forces Afloat, OPNAVINST 5100.19 series. Before granting permission,  the  OOD  must  ensure  that  the  Working Aloft   Check   Sheet   (fig.   3-4)   has   been   properly completed and routed. When the ship is underway, the commanding officer’s permission is required to work aloft.  The  OOD  will  ensure  that  appropriate  signal flags are hoisted. (KILO for personnel working aloft; KILO THREE for personnel working aloft and over the side.)    Before the work begins and every 15 minutes thereafter, he will have the word passed over the 1 MC, “ D O N OT ROTAT E O R R A D I AT E A N Y ELECTRICAL   OR   ELECTRONIC   EQUIPMENT WHILE  PERSONNEL  ARE  WORKING  ALOFT.” Additionally  the  OOD  will  inform  the  ships  in  the vicinity that personnel will be working aloft to ensure that  they  take  appropriate  action  on  the  operation  of their electrical and electronic equipment. Departments concerned must ensure that all radio transmitters and radars  that  pose  radiation  hazards  are  placed  in  the STANDBY   condition   and   that   a   sign   reading “SECURED. PERSONNEL ALOFT. DATE _______ TIME   _______   INITIALS   ________ ” is placed on the equipment. You  should  always  check  your  ship’s  instruction (Man Aloft Bill) for specific guidance before you go aloft. Here are some general guidelines to follow when you go aloft: 1.   Use  a  climber  sleeve  assembly  in  conjunction with the safety harness where a climber safety rail is installed. 2.   Attach safety lanyards to all tools, if practical. Never  carry  tools  up  and  down  ladders.  Rig  a line   and   raise   or   lower   your   tools   in   a   safe container. 3.   Stop work when the ship begins to roll in excess of 10 degrees, or to pitch in excess of 6 degrees, when wind speed is greater than 30 knots, and when an ice storm or lightning threatens. 4.   Be sure the petty officer-in-charge has marked off an area below the zone of work and keeps all unnecessary   personnel   clear.   If   the   slightest chance of danger exists, have personnel in the area moved to safety. 5.   Read all safety placards posted in the area before you begin the work. 6.   Wear  personal  protective  equipment,  such  as hearing   protection,   goggles,   gloves,   or   a respirator for hazards other than RFR. 7.   When   you   perform   hot   work,   replace   the personal safety and staging or boatswain chair fiber lines with wire rope. Personal safety lines must consist of CRESS wire rope. Most ships in today’s Navy are aviation capable. Any   loose   materials   or   tools   that   you   leave   in   an outside work area may become foreign object damage (FOD)   material.   FOD   material   can   be   sucked   into aircraft engines (causing extensive damage) or blown around   by   engine   exhaust   or   rotor   wash   (possibly injuring someone). You must learn the importance of foreign   object   damage   (FOD)   control.   Supervisory personnel  are  responsible  for  ensuring  that  assigned personnel  who  work  on  the  mast  and  other  topside areas   receive   training   on   the   importance   of   FOD control. After completing any work topside, you must ensure that all tools and materials are removed from the work area. Metallic items left in these areas may also create electromagnetic interference problems. 3-9