SAFETY ORGANIZATION

The safety organization of the NMCB provides for (1) the establishment of safety policy and (2) control and reporting. As shown in figure 1-6, the Battalion Safety Policy Organization is made up of the policy committee, supervisors' committee, equipment, shop, and crew committees. The SAFETY POLICY COMMITTEE is presided over by the executive officer. Its primary purpose is to develop safety rules and policy for the battalion. This committee reports to the commanding officer, who must approve all changes in safety policy.

The SAFETY SUPERVISORS' COMMITTEE is presided over by the battalion's safety chief and includes safety supervisors assigned by company commanders, project officers, or officers in charge of detail. This committee provides a convenient forum for work procedures, safe practices, and safety suggestions. Its recommendations are sent to the policy committee.

The EQUIPMENT, SHOP, AND CREW COMMITTEES are assigned as required. Each

Figure 1-6.-The Safety Organization Chart of the NMCB.

committee is usually presided over by the company or project safety supervisor. The main objective of the committee is to propose changes in the battalion's safety policy to eliminate unsafe working conditions or prevent unsafe acts. These committees are your contact for recommending changes in safety matters. In particular, the equipment committee reviews all vehicle mishap reports, determines the cause of each mishap, and recommends corrective action. As a crew leader, you can expect to seine as a member of the equipment, shop, or crew safety committee. Each committee forwards reports and recommendations to the Safety Supervisors' Committee.

CONSTRUCTION SITE SAFETY

The work involved in construction and maintenance/repair is inherently dangerous, and many of the functions that must be performed contain elements hazardous to personnel. The type of work performed on construction sites is broad and encompasses are as for which substantial material on safety has been written.

General Safety Concerns

This chapter addresses the major areas of general safety concerns and references other publications that are used by NCF/PHIBCB safety and supervisory personnel.

"Safety is everybody's responsibility." This is a rule that must be adhered to during all phases of construction, maintenance and repair, and battalion operations. Training at all levels and enforcement of safety regulations during all types of work is the ongoing responsibility of each Seabee.

Safety at the construction site has elements of general construction, steel erection, high work, and rigging and weight handling. Specialized and detailed areas of safety include weight-handling operations, construction and use of scaffolding, and welding and cutting. Numerous safety manuals and publications provide detailed procedures and regulations for these types of work.

Safety References

Some of the more useful manuals and handbooks applicable to tasks performed on construction sites and maintenance shops are as follows:

1. Naval Construction Force Safety Manual. This manual is applicable to COMSECONDNCB/

COMTHIRDNCB units and also covers many areas useful to PHIBCBs.

2. General Safety Requirements Manual, Corps of Engineers, EM 385. This field manual contains guidance primarily concerning construction.

3. Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Construction Industry (29 CFR 1926).

Safety Procedures/Standards

Major safety procedures/standards that are required on a jobsite that apply to both construction sites and construction/repair of pontoon structures are as follows:

1. Hard hats must be worn by all personnel in the area, including visitors.

2. Post the site with a hard hat area sign and warning signs (red for immediate hazards and yellow for potential hazards).

3. The safety manuals, EM 385 and the 29 CFR 1926, are required to be kept on the jobsite.

4. Housekeeping is important. Keep materials well sorted, stacked, and accessible. Remove excess items. Keep discarded items and trash picked up. Watch and remove hipping hazards.

5. Designate and mark vehicle/forklift traffic lanes and areas.

6. Each jobsite must have emergency plans posted, containing the location of the nearest phone, the telephone numbers, and the reporting instructions for the ambulance, the hospital, the physician, the police, and the fire department personnel.

7. If a medical facility is not readily accessible (due to time or distance), two crew members must be both first aid and CPR qualified.

8. For every 25 personnel or less, one first-aid kit must be on site and checked weekly for consumable items.

9. If toilet facilities are not readily available, you must provide portable facilities,

10. Drinking water must be provided from an approved source and labeled for "drinking only." Common use cups are not allowed.

11. Temporary fencing is required as a safety measure to keep unauthorized personnel away from potential hazards if the jobsite is in an area of active use.

12. Eyewash stations are required on all jobsites. Fire Extinguishers

An adequate number of fire extinguishers are required to be on site. The number required is determined by the types of extinguisher required to extinguish the various types of materials, such as paint, corrosives, and other flammables, on the jobsite. Also, the size of the jobsite must be considered, and there must be one extinguisher at each welding station. Refer to the EM 385 for further guidance.

Material Safety Data Sheets are required to be on site for all hazardous material. (MSDS will be discussed in this chapter.)

All high work is serious business. Work above 5 feet in height must be particularly well planned and personnel safety constantly enforced. Scaffolds

Accidents occur when high work becomes so routine that safety measures become lax and inspection of scaffolds is not performed. A healthy respect for the hazards must be maintained. References (1) and (3) contain detailed safety information on scaffolds, and additional safety guidance can be found in reference (2). Scaffold safety is also discussed in chapter 6 of this manual. Some of the more general precautions are the following:

Work above 5 feet must have scaffolding provided.

People working above 12 feet and not on scaffolding must have a safety belt and lifeline. Ground personnel must be kept clear of high work.

Never use makeshift, expedient scaffolding.

Inspect scaffold members and equipment daily before work is started. Keep all members in good repair without delay.

Do not use scaffolds for storage space.

Use handlines for raising and lowering objects and tools.

Do not paint scaffolds since painting can conceal defects.

Welding and Cutting

A significant part of construction and maintenance/repair work is welding and cutting. Safety was addressed in volume 1 of this manual and is addressed here as a part of general on-site safety concerns. Safety precautions required for this work are extensive and specialized. The importance be shown by the extent of guidance on welding safety provided in references (1), (2), and (3). One point to bear in mind is that welding safety must be concerned with other personnel on the jobsite as well as the people performing the work. A list of some of the more basic precautions and procedures welders must be aware of or adhere to should include the following:

Eye injury.

Burns.

Toxic vapors.

Electric shock (when applicable).

Fire and explosion.

All welding equipment should be inspected daily. Remove the defective items immediately from service.

personnel protective equipment and clothing must be considered an integral part of the work and must be inspected and maintained accordingly. No compromises in the protection of welders is allowed.

Areas should be marked with Danger - Welding and Eye Hazard Area signs.

Welders working above 5 feet must be protected by railings or safety belts and lifelines.

When welding any enclosed space or pontoons, ensure that a vent opening is provided and that the space is free of flammable liquids and vapors.

Do not weld where flammable paint or coating can cause a fire hazard.

After welding is completed, mark the area of hot metal or provide some means of warning other workers.

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