Website:
http://mhq.defence.gov.au/emu/index
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Be
aware of zinc chromate
Sailors
of all categories need to be aware of the health implications
associated with zinc chromate if found during maintenance.
Zinc chromate dust has the potential to cause short-term health
effects such as skin irritations, rashes, ulcers and irritation
of the eyes, nose and throat.
The NOHSC (National Occupational & Safety Commission) determined
there is sufficient evidence to establish a casual association
between human exposure to these substances and the development
of cancer.
Zinc chromate as a dry film is inert and presents no risk if
it stays that way.
It’s only when it is disturbed by sanding, grinding and welding
activities that it presents a health risk.
Before maintenance work of a compartment or piece of machinery
that could involve these operations, consider several small
scratch tests of the area to possibly uncover the distinctive
yellow paint.
If a patch of zinc chromate is discovered during the maintenance,
all personnel should leave the immediate area and close the
compartment down.
Warn all personnel in the immediate vicinity then inform the
OOD of the potential contamination of the area.
Any work involving the potential for removing zinc chromate
should be conducted in accordance with the Australian standard
for removal of lead-based paints, since the methods of dealing
with zinc chromate and leaded paints are the same.
For most jobs requiring small areas of zinc chromate to be removed,
paint stripper
(used in accordance with its MSDS) will be effective without
generating dust.
Ships are to have a paint register that indicates where zinc
chromate is known to be, and areas where it is known not to
be.
All other areas are to be tested for zinc chromate using test
kits prior to any sanding, grinding and welding work that may
generate paint dust or smoke.
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Incidents
in the Fleet
POTENTIAL
FOD
As
a helicopter was landing onboard an LPA, it flew in the vicinity
of an LCM8 stationed at the stern door.
The downwash from the rotors caused a set of load straps in
the cargo bay of the LCM8 to slip, allowing three masonite building
sheets to lift in an uncontrolled manner that resulted in a
potential FOD hazard.
Ships’ staff have since rectified this deficiency through the
amendment of the SOPs for flying stations and by enhanced briefings
for LCM8 crews.
LINES
CAN “BIGHT”
During
a recent night evolution onboard an MFU, a sailor’s leg was
caught in a bight of the line ressulted in the sailor being
dragged to within four feet of the fairlead.
Three members of ship’s company attempted to prevent the sailor
from been dragged closer when the order was given to cut the
line.
Personnel conducting any evolution that involves the use of
ropes need to be aware of where they are standing at all times
and avoid stepping into bights.
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Safety
put in the picture
Lately
DNAVSAFE has had a few requests on its 1800 558 555 number for
posters depicting safety in the Navy environment.
During last November, staff from DNAVSAFE, Navy Imaging Unit
East, FIMA Sydney and ADI
(with the assistance of the ships’ companies from HMA ships
Manoora, Kanimbla and Sydney), took a selection of photographs
for a new series of safety posters.
A complete set of posters will soon be available displaying
the top ten individual hazards throughout the fleet: RADHAZ,
slip slop slap, ship doors, confined spaces, gangways, eye protection,
galleys, manual handling, hearing protection and three points
of contact.
Do you know an operational task conducted in Navy that is worthy
of a safety poster?
Contact DNAVSAFE if you believe it should be included as a safety
poster in the future.
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BZ Locker
The
BZ locker is devoted to acknowledging the hard work going on
in Fleet units and our shore establishments, in the safety arena.
The inclusion in the BZ Locker is recognition of a job well
done.
FIMA-Darwin
During
maintenance onboard HMAS Bunbury, two sailors were removing
old paint and corrosion with a Shimano and noticed yellow paint,
the telltale signs of the presence of zinc chromate.
All maintenance activities were suspended and the OOD was informed.
FIMA sailors followed the correct procedure prior to the commencement
of maintenance work and again upon discovery of zinc chromate
in the compartment.
HMAS
Parramatta
Members
identified that after recent configuration changes on ANZAC
class ships, some RADHAZ keys could be utilised in more than
one RADHAZ locking mechanism. By raising this issue via an OHSIR,
it has been identified that this is a class-wide problem.
An alternate RADHAZ lock and key arrangement has been sourced
to rectify this safety and security issue. RADHAZ incidents
are on the rise, any idea why? Send your thoughts to DNAVSAFE.
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You’re
kidding
Pictured
is a worker flirting with death, drilling into a ceiling while
standing on a ladder in a pool.
The hazards are obvious, so each edition of Seaworthy will devote
space to some of the most unsafe acts caught on camera. If you
have a photo that is worthy of publication on this page, please
send them to DNAVSAFE, CP4-6- 032, Campbell Park, Canberra,
ACT, 2600; or email: navy.safety@defence.gov.au
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Your
say...
If
you or your unit has any safety-related articles for publication
in future editions of Seaworthy, or have a safety issue you
want raised, send them to:
LS
Ben Porteous,
Campbell Park CP4-6-032,
or e-mail
benjamin.porteous@defence.gov.au
