HEAT STRESS
Heat stress is a very dangerous element in the shipboard laundry. It is a combination of air temperature, thermal radiation, humidity, air-flow, and workload that may stress the body as it tries to regulate body temperature. The condition of heat stress can readily cause fatigue, severe headaches, nausea, and poor physical and mental performance. As the temperature of your body continues to increase due to exposure to high heat, you run the risk of having heat exhaustion or a heatstroke.
Listed below are some of the factors that reduce the chances of heat injuries from high temperatures in the laundry.

Recording temperatures in the heat stress log each 4-hour period

Inspecting the laundry for conditions that would cause higher heat

Reporting all temperatures 100 or over as required

Following the do's and don'ts list included in this chapter

The requirements of the Navy's heat stress program are included in OPNAVINST 5100.20, Shipboard Heat Stress Control and Personnel Protection. A hanging dry bulb thermometer should be permanently mounted near the wash and press deck. It should be mounted in such a manner that the bulb of the thermometer is not influenced by adjacent or local heat sources. You should record the temperature readings in the heat stress log using these dry bulb thermometers once every 4 hours. When temperatures are 100 F or more, you should do the following:

1 Log the temperature reading and circle it in the heat stress log.
1 Notify the ship's store officer and medical officer.
1 Leave the laundry until a heat stress survey is done by the medical officer.

You should remain out of the laundry until further directed on what to do by the medical officer. If the temperature remains high, you will only be able to work certain periods in the laundry. These periods are better known as stay times. These stay times are determined by the medical officer and are always followed by a recovery period where the laundry personnel will go to a cool dry place to allow their body temperature to return to normal. The stay time is always half of the recovery time. The recovery period never exceeds 4 hours provided there is no evidence of cumulative fatigue.

Figure 5-3.- Laundry equipment maintenance log.

Figure 5-4.- Laundry heat stress log.

Personnel working in a heat stress environment should follow the do's and don'ts listed below:

1 Do eat three adequate meals a day.
1 Do drink plenty of cool water.
1 Do get at least 6 hours of continuous sleep per 24-hour period.
1 Do wear clean clothing composed of at least 35 percent cotton.
1 Do not take salt tablets.
. Do not wear starched clothing.
. Do not drink commercially prepared liquid electrolyte supplements instead of water.

Past inspections conducted aboard various ships have identified many of the principal problems that may cause a heat stress environment. Some of these problems were so severe that personnel exposures had to be limited to avoid harm. These heat stress conditions are caused by the following:

. Steam and water leaks
. Missing or deteriorated insulation on steam piping, valves, and machinery
. Ventilation system deficiencies, such as missing or mutilated ductwork, misdirected terminals, clogged exhaust screens, closed or partially closed Circle William dampers, dirty ventilation ducting, and inoperative fan motors and controllers

. Ventilation design deficiencies, resulting in less than adequate supply or exhaust air capacity and/ or distribution
Even though the above conditions are identified and corrective action taken, there may still be instances where a heat stress situation may occur. Some examples include ship operations in hot and humid climates, performance of hard physical tasks, and so forth. While working in the laundry, you should be aware of conditions that may cause a heat stress condition and report all problems to the laundry supervisor so corrective action can be taken.