The safety precautions and instructions pertaining to the safe operation and use of ammunition- and explosives-handling equipment prescribed in this section, NAVSEAINST 5100.19, 0P 4, OP 5, OP 1014, OP 3347, and the applicable safety manual for particular weapons should be strictly observed by all naval activities, afloat and ashore.

Forklift trucks, pallet trucks, platform trucks, crane trucks, and warehouse tractors and trailers (industrial MHE) are used in various ammunition- and explosives-handling operations. This equipment is designed to save time and labor. Improper and careless operation or use of this equipment, however, causes accidents, which may result in fatal or serious injury. It may also cause damage to valuable supplies and equipment, resulting in a reduction of the efficiency of the handling operation. Therefore, it is imperative that the safety precautions and instructions prescribed for all kinds of industrial MHE be followed to the letter.

CARGO NETS.- When ammunition is being embarked or discharged from a ship in port, a cargo net should be rigged between the ship and the dock, or between the ship and the ammunition lighter, to catch any ammunition that may be dropped.

Cargo nets should not be used for transferring explosives and ammunition except to enclose a pallet, skip board, or tray. In hoisting or lowering containers with cargo nets, a rigid wooden platform should be fitted in the net.

MATS.- The cargo mat (fig. 2-27) is a closely woven mat having no openings or mesh. The mat is constructed of a 3-inch coil, which is a coconut husk fiber rope. The mats are available in two sizes-6 feet square and 4 feet square. The mats are designed with looped eyes on each comer for lifting.

Figure 2-26.-Standard forklift truck, type EE, code 1370. 2-34

Figure 2-27.-Cargo mat.

The mat is used aboard ship and at shore stations. It is used also inside cargo nets or skip boxes for the protection of the cargo. It is used to cushion the landing of a draft or material that is transferred on a slide.

SKIP BOX.- The cargo-handling box (skip box) (fig. 2-28) is made of wood except for the iron corner angles and stiffeners. This type of handling device is ideal for handling ammunition that is light enough to be handled by hand. The cargo-handling skip box is also used ashore and afloat. The heavy timber skids underneath permit the use of forklift trucks or slings to handle the box.

PALLET ADAPTERS.- The Mk 11 Mod 1 top spacer used with the Mk 11 Mod 1 bottom spacer (fig. 2-29) makes a complete pallet adapter for handling

Figure 2-28.-Skip box.

rocket heads and projectiles. The top and bottom spacers are fabricated of steel wire. The bottom spacer has 12 recesses, each of which holds the base of a projectile. The top spacer has 12 equally spaced holders to receive and hold the noses of the projectiles in a vertical position. The top spacer is reversible; one side is used for rocket heads-the other for projectiles. There is a lifting link on each side of the top spacer.

The Mk 11 Mod 1 pallet adapter is used ashore and afloat and will handle a unit load of 12 5"/54 projectiles. It will also handle 12 5" rocket heads. Flat steel strapping should be used to secure the load on a 40-by 48-inch pallet.

Figure 2-29.-Mk 11 Mod 1 pallet adapter.

The Mk 16 Mod 0 pallet adapter (fig. 2-30) is a complete pallet adapter consisting of a top frame, rear frame, and front frame. It is used aboard ship and at shore stations and is capable of handling a capacity load of 39 5"/54 cartridge tanks. To secure the load on a pallet, you should use flat steel strapping.

Special Handling Regulations for Bulk Explosives and Gun Ammunition

Extreme care must be taken in handling black powder, smokeless powder, or other bulk explosives since they are highly flammable and sensitive to friction, shock, sparks, heat, and static electricity. Only nonsparking tools should be used to open containers of _{these explosives.} The special handling instructions prescribed in the paragraphs that follow should be observed when handling gun ammunition.

PROJECTILES.- Load projectiles-whether packed or unpacked, grommeted, crated, or palletized-should be carefully handled and stowed to avoid detonation or damage to rotating bands, bourrelets, points, caps, windshields, covers, fuze threads, painting, and identification markings. They should be handled by trucks, carriers, and slings. When rolling is the only available means of moving, you should protect the projectile bodies, windshields, and copper rotation bands to guard against arming the fuze assembled in the projectile.

Projectiles should not be rolled on the ground, concrete floors, or steel decks, but may be rolled on dunnage boards not less than 1 inch thick.

When a loaded and fuzed projectile is dropped 5 feet or more, it should be set aside, tagged, and turned in to an ammunition activity at the first opprtunity-or dumped in deep water-at the discretion of the commanding officer.

Projectile-handling slings that support part of the weight of the projectile on the cap or windshield should not be used on armor-piercing projectiles or on common projectiles fitted with windshields.

Never slide projectiles down a slide without using a restraining line. The base of the projectile should be toward the lower end of the slide.

Detonators, fuzes, booster cavities, and faze threads should be kept free of all foreign matter except for alight film of specified lubricating preservatives.