Personal Protection Reducing the Threat of Disease and Non-Battle Injury Environmental Hazards

1. Personal ProtectionReducing the Threat of Disease and Non-Battle InjuryEnvironmental Hazards Navy Individual Augmentee Combat Training Center (NIACT) Fort Jackson, South Carolina

2. Module 3 - Occupational Hazards Information in Module 3 concerns occupational hazards and include Vision conservation Hearing conservation Personal Protection techniques Air Pollution Toxic Industrial Chemicals/Materials Successful completion of this module will allow you to make informed decisions about your health, reducing your risk of injury and disease

3. Service members should always be aware that material safety data sheets (MSDS) accompany stores of toxic chemicals when units are deployed, and they serve as an immediate reference in cases of exposure or injury. Once a unit is deployed and set up, these MSDS should be kept as part of the unit's SOP when handling the specified chemicals/materials. � Carbon monoxide. Bore/gun gases. Use onboard vehicle ventilation systems. Keep bore evacuator well maintained. Try to keep some air movement in gun emplacements or in protected batteries. � Solvents, greases, and oils. Use safety Stoddard solvent. Never substitute one solvent for a better one; for example, never use benzene or fuel in place of Stoddard. Wear coveralls, if available, and rubber gloves. Wash or change clothing often, especially when soiled by chemicals or fuel. Always follow label instructions for use and safety precautions. Use ventilation systems in areas where fumes are present or when conditions and materials dictate. Service members should always be aware that material safety data sheets (MSDS) accompany stores of toxic chemicals when units are deployed, and they serve as an immediate reference in cases of exposure or injury. Once a unit is deployed and set up, these MSDS should be kept as part of the unit's SOP when handling the specified chemicals/materials. � Carbon monoxide. Bore/gun gases. Use onboard vehicle ventilation systems. Keep bore evacuator well maintained. Try to keep some air movement in gun emplacements or in protected batteries. � Solvents, greases, and oils. Use safety Stoddard solvent. Never substitute one solvent for a better one; for example, never use benzene or fuel in place of Stoddard. Wear coveralls, if available, and rubber gloves. Wash or change clothing often, especially when soiled by chemicals or fuel. Always follow label instructions for use and safety precautions. Use ventilation systems in areas where fumes are present or when conditions and materials dictate.

4. Vision Conservation Preventive Measures and Eye Protection Contact lens use is prohibited for use in environments where exposure to smoke, toxic chemical vapors, sand, or dust occurs If required, maintain 2 pair of glasses and 1 protective mask insert Use eye protection when in any potentially eye hazardous environment Safety goggles or spectacleswith side shields* Chemical splash goggles* Personal protective equipment (safety eyewear) is worn by the individual service member. Impact resistant safety eyewear comes in either goggle or spectacle form and should meet the American National Standards Institute Z87.1 1989 (ANSI Z87.1) specifications. Face shields are designed to provide secondary protection to both the wearer�s eyes and face. When the half-face respirator Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is utilized in a chemically hazardous environment, the chemical goggle should be utilized to protect the eyes. Chemical goggles have indirect venting. Chemical goggles meet ANSI Z87.1 impact resistance standards. In a chemical hazard environment, face shields serve as only secondary protectors and should be used only in conjunction with Z87.1 chemical goggles. Face shields are designed to provide secondary protection for the wearer�s face and neck. With regard to biological hazards, according to Title 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1910.1030 (Bloodborne Pathogens Standard), masks in combination with eye protective devices, such as goggles or glasses with solid side shields or chin-length face shields, shall be worn whenever splashes, spray, spatter, or droplets of blood or other potentially infectious materials [OPIM] may be generated and eye, nose, or mouth contamination can be reasonably anticipated. (According to OSHA�s interpretation, glasses utilized solely to protect the eyes from bloodborne pathogens or OPIM are not required to meet ANSI Z87.1 impact standards and may be normal dress glasses prescribed by an eye care provider, but they must have solid side shields. OSHA refers to solid side shields as non-perforated or non-fenestrated shields that can be permanent or add on. Personal protective equipment (safety eyewear) is worn by the individual service member. Impact resistant safety eyewear comes in either goggle or spectacle form and should meet the American National Standards Institute Z87.1 1989 (ANSI Z87.1) specifications. Face shields are designed to provide secondary protection to both the wearer�s eyes and face. When the half-face respirator Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is utilized in a chemically hazardous environment, the chemical goggle should be utilized to protect the eyes. Chemical goggles have indirect venting. Chemical goggles meet ANSI Z87.1 impact resistance standards. In a chemical hazard environment, face shields serve as only secondary protectors and should be used only in conjunction with Z87.1 chemical goggles. Face shields are designed to provide secondary protection for the wearer�s face and neck. With regard to biological hazards, according to Title 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1910.1030 (Bloodborne Pathogens Standard), masks in combination with eye protective devices, such as goggles or glasses with solid side shields or chin-length face shields, shall be worn whenever splashes, spray, spatter, or droplets of blood or other potentially infectious materials [OPIM] may be generated and eye, nose, or mouth contamination can be reasonably anticipated. (According to OSHA�s interpretation, glasses utilized solely to protect the eyes from bloodborne pathogens or OPIM are not required to meet ANSI Z87.1 impact standards and may be normal dress glasses prescribed by an eye care provider, but they must have solid side shields. OSHA refers to solid side shields as non-perforated or non-fenestrated shields that can be permanent or add on.

5. Hearing Conservation Loud noise causes permanent hearing loss Prevention Have your hearing protectionwith you at all times and use it Be sure your ear plugs, noisemuffs or helmets fit properlyand are in good condition Avoid noise or limit time aroundnoise to only critical tasks Loud noise from heavy vehicles, construction equipment and tools, weapons, vehicles and aircraft causes permanent hearing loss! Protect your ears. Wear the hearing protection you have been given! Be sure your ear plugs, noise muffs or helmets fit properly and are in good condition! High-intensity noise PERMANENTLY injures the hearing mechanism. Individuals with a noise-induced hearing loss may be unaware of the loss and may not have any communication problems when in quiet listening situations. However, in noisy environments such as combat, hearing becomes significantly more difficult and can adversely impact communication and mission readiness. It is essential that you use properly fitted hearing protection during military operations. Exposure to high-intensity noise may cause hearing loss that can adversely affect your combat effectiveness and individual readiness. Good hearing is essential to mission success. If you are dismounted personnel, the Combat Arms Earplug (NSN 6515-01-466-2710) will protect you from the impact noise of weapons fire while only slightly interfering with voice communications and detection of combat sounds such as vehicle noise, footfalls in leaves, and the closing of a rifle bolt. While not as effective as the Combat Arms Earplug in preserving your ability to hear important mission-related sounds, noise muffs or standard earplugs are very effective at preventing noise-induced injury. If you are a member of vehicle or helicopter crews, your combat vehicle crew or aircrew helmets have built-in hearing protectors. Loud noise from heavy vehicles, construction equipment and tools, weapons, vehicles and aircraft causes permanent hearing loss! Protect your ears. Wear the hearing protection you have been given! Be sure your ear plugs, noise muffs or helmets fit properly and are in good condition! High-intensity noise PERMANENTLY injures the hearing mechanism. Individuals with a noise-induced hearing loss may be unaware of the loss and may not have any communication problems when in quiet listening situations. However, in noisy environments such as combat, hearing becomes significantly more difficult and can adversely impact communication and mission readiness. It is essential that you use properly fitted hearing protection during military operations. Exposure to high-intensity noise may cause hearing loss that can adversely affect your combat effectiveness and individual readiness. Good hearing is essential to mission success. If you are dismounted personnel, the Combat Arms Earplug (NSN 6515-01-466-2710) will protect you from the impact noise of weapons fire while only slightly interfering with voice communications and detection of combat sounds such as vehicle noise, footfalls in leaves, and the closing of a rifle bolt. While not as effective as the Combat Arms Earplug in preserving your ability to hear important mission-related sounds, noise muffs or standard earplugs are very effective at preventing noise-induced injury. If you are a member of vehicle or helicopter crews, your combat vehicle crew or aircrew helmets have built-in hearing protectors.

6. Occupational Health-Personal Protection Techniques Occupational Health Hazards Use your applicable control strategies Elimination or substitution Engineering control Work Practices and administrative controls Personal Protective Equipment Follow the PPE program requirements For the most part you will be exposed to the same occupational health hazards in your deployed location that you faced in your garrison location. However sometimes during your deployment some of your procedures, materials, or environment conditions may change from what you normally encounter in your garrison location. The change in these conditions may result result in additional hazards or exchange of old hazards for different hazards. In most cases these changes were anticipated and control strategies are all ready in place or changes do not change the type of control strategies that are already used. However, if you believe this is a hazard and you don�t have a method of protection available then you should contact your supporting preventive medicine office/unit for an evaluation. In most cases the hazard control strategies that you used in your normal garrison location will work in you deployed location. The control strategies are listed in order of preference listed below. Additionally, in most cases, control strategies will be used in combination. Elimination or substitution is the preferred method is where you change the operation or the hazardous materials used to remove or eliminate the hazard. For example if you have a lead exposure hazard when spray painting then you can change the paint you use so that they are all lead free paints, or if you have an organic solvent exposure problem when clean parts you change the type of cleaning agents that you use to clean parts by substituting a non-organic solvent. Engineering control is the second preferred method and is where you design and install a system to control or eliminate the hazard. An example is the use of ventilation to control exposures to dusts, gases, vapors or mist in the air, such as a paint booth or a flexible duct for welding. Work practice or administrative controls are work procedures put in place that when used reduce or eliminate the hazard, an example is when we perform maintenance on vehicle brakes and clutches we wet them down with water, water and soap solution, or solvents to prevent the asbestos dust from becoming airborne. Personnel protective equipment or PPE, is the least preferred method, but the one that is used the most to control the hazards. In some case there is no other way to control the hazard or other control methods do not completely control the hazard, therefore PPE is used in combination with the other methods to help with their effectiveness. Finally, if you use PPE, make sure that you follow all the requirements in your program, such as cleaning, storing and maintaining the equipment, to it ensure that it gives you the required protection.For the most part you will be exposed to the same occupational health hazards in your deployed location that you faced in your garrison location. However sometimes during your deployment some of your procedures, materials, or environment conditions may change from what you normally encounter in your garrison location. The change in these conditions may result result in additional hazards or exchange of old hazards for different hazards. In most cases these changes were anticipated and control strategies are all ready in place or changes do not change the type of control strategies that are already used. However, if you believe this is a hazard and you don�t have a method of protection available then you should contact your supporting preventive medicine office/unit for an evaluation. In most cases the hazard control strategies that you used in your normal garrison location will work in you deployed location. The control strategies are listed in order of preference listed below. Additionally, in most cases, control strategies will be used in combination. Elimination or substitution is the preferred method is where you change the operation or the hazardous materials used to remove or eliminate the hazard. For example if you have a lead exposure hazard when spray painting then you can change the paint you use so that they are all lead free paints, or if you have an organic solvent exposure problem when clean parts you change the type of cleaning agents that you use to clean parts by substituting a non-organic solvent. Engineering control is the second preferred method and is where you design and install a system to control or eliminate the hazard. An example is the use of ventilation to control exposures to dusts, gases, vapors or mist in the air, such as a paint booth or a flexible duct for welding. Work practice or administrative controls are work procedures put in place that when used reduce or eliminate the hazard, an example is when we perform maintenance on vehicle brakes and clutches we wet them down with water, water and soap solution, or solvents to prevent the asbestos dust from becoming airborne. Personnel protective equipment or PPE, is the least preferred method, but the one that is used the most to control the hazards. In some case there is no other way to control the hazard or other control methods do not completely control the hazard, therefore PPE is used in combination with the other methods to help with their effectiveness. Finally, if you use PPE, make sure that you follow all the requirements in your program, such as cleaning, storing and maintaining the equipment, to it ensure that it gives you the required protection.

7. Air contaminants will vary with each situation. The potential to be exposed to air contaminants should be lessened by simple measures as ensuring that appropriate precautions are taken when entering burning or damaged building (respirators, if necessary); by limiting open burning of waste as a means of disposal, or if necessary, locating personnel away from any open burning that releases toxins. Also, vehicle and generator exhaust venting indoors or too close to air intakes can cause death from carbon monoxide poisoning. During cold weather situations, vehicles must be warmed up outside away from air intakes. Typical contaminants from many of these sources of particulates, asbestos, lead, and organics. In addition, seasonal conditions, such as the use of power plants during the winter months and seasonal dust storms in desert conditions are all contributors to air pollution. Air contaminants will vary with each situation. The potential to be exposed to air contaminants should be lessened by simple measures as ensuring that appropriate precautions are taken when entering burning or damaged building (respirators, if necessary); by limiting open burning of waste as a means of disposal, or if necessary, locating personnel away from any open burning that releases toxins. Also, vehicle and generator exhaust venting indoors or too close to air intakes can cause death from carbon monoxide poisoning. During cold weather situations, vehicles must be warmed up outside away from air intakes. Typical contaminants from many of these sources of particulates, asbestos, lead, and organics. In addition, seasonal conditions, such as the use of power plants during the winter months and seasonal dust storms in desert conditions are all contributors to air pollution.

8. Toxic Industrial Chemicals and Materials Personnel may be exposed to harmful chemicals as a result of industrial accidents, sabotage, or the intentional or unintentional actions of enemy or friendly forces Become familiar with individual response process, such as shelter in place, and any emergency warning systems. Make sure other unit members are also aware Protective measures are chemical specific - rely on trained personnel for recommendations There is no one size fits all protectivemeasures -� this includes MOPP gear We live in a technological world and the technology is based on the use of chemicals. Many of these are health and medical threats to individuals and the mission, however, some are more threatening than others. The key is that �The dose makes the poison� and minimizing exposure minimizes risk. Simple rules to remember for any individual � deployed or not are: Never inspect or open unknown chemical containers. Never mix chemicals without knowledge that it is okay to do so � this includes disposal. There is no one size fits all protection against every industrial chemical. Always call in a specialist when in doubt. Not all exposures result in immediate health conditions � if you have been exposed, be aware of your overall feeling of wellness. 2. The Universe of Chemicals information is provided to show a comparison of the amounts/types of chemicals groupings used and a small example of different classification areas [production, regulated, military chemical warfare agents (CWAs), etc.]. Basically, this info states that the classification/use/regulation of TICs/TIMs should always be a consideration/concern to the health of the soldier and mission completion. We live in a technological world and the technology is based on the use of chemicals. Many of these are health and medical threats to individuals and the mission, however, some are more threatening than others. The key is that �The dose makes the poison� and minimizing exposure minimizes risk. Simple rules to remember for any individual � deployed or not are: Never inspect or open unknown chemical containers. Never mix chemicals without knowledge that it is okay to do so � this includes disposal. There is no one size fits all protection against every industrial chemical. Always call in a specialist when in doubt. Not all exposures result in immediate health conditions � if you have been exposed, be aware of your overall feeling of wellness. 2. The Universe of Chemicals information is provided to show a comparison of the amounts/types of chemicals groupings used and a small example of different classification areas [production, regulated, military chemical warfare agents (CWAs), etc.]. Basically, this info states that the classification/use/regulation of TICs/TIMs should always be a consideration/concern to the health of the soldier and mission completion.

9. Acknowledgements U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion & Preventive Medicine, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD Navy Environmental Health Center, Portsmouth, VA