Otto Fuel II is a liquid propellant used in certain types of torpedoes. It can be harmful or fatal if swallowed, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin. The first symptom is nasal irritation followed by headache.
Personnel exposed to Otto Fuel II should have predeployment and yearly physical examinations. Personnel with a history of arrhythmia, angina, hypertension, or hypotension must not be assigned to work with this fuel. Ventilation systems for preparation and maintenance operations involving Otto Fuel II must be installed to ensure that excess exposure to Otto Fuel II does not occur. Until such ventilation systems are provided, personnel working in and around areas where Otto Fuel II is being used must be provided with a pressure demand self-contained breathing apparatus or a pressure demand airline respirator. A daily or more frequent change of freshly laundered or disposable coveralls is required. A disposable apron must be worn over the coveralls and rubber gloves provided. The gloves must be discarded at the end of each new operation. See NAVMEDCOMINST 6270.1 series for additional information. The hazards discussed herein are not all-inclusive. Each ship or station is an individual command; thus, the health hazards and hazardous materials within each command will vary. You, the MDR, must seek out and identify the hazards within your command.
Under the direction of the commanding officer, the medical officer or MDR assumes responsibility together with the safety officer for establishing a comprehensive safety and accident prevention program. This includes inspecting machinery, tools, equipment, and work methods for accident hazards and making recommendations to correct discrepancies and ensure compliance with recommended policies. OPNAVINST 5101.2, 5100.19, and 5100.23 series outline responsibilities and procedures for the Shipboard Accident Prevention Program.
The health problems created by intense noise ashore and afloat continue to increase. OPNAVINST 5100.23 series provides for the establishment of uniform and effective hearing conservation programs throughout the Navy. NAVMEDCOMINST 6260.5 series implements those portions of the Navy Noise Control and Hearing Conservation Program for which the medical department is responsible. The basic objective of these programs is to prevent hearing loss in personnel exposed to hazardous noise levels.
Commanding officers are responsible for implementing the basic elements of the program. MDRs are responsible for ensuring that the basic elements of the program are accomplished in accordance with OPNAVINST 5100.23 series.
OPNAVINST 5100.20C defines heat stress as any combination of air temperature, thermal radiation, humidity, air flow, and workload that may stress the body as it attempts to regulate body temperature. Its purpose is to set the standards, methods, and procedures for determining heat stress related deficiencies and conditions as they apply to both personnel and to the physical design and function of spaces that are considered heat stress risk areas. These spaces include, but are not limited to, engineering spaces, boiler rooms, laundries, sculleries, galleys, catapault rooms, auxillary machine spaces, and weather decks.
OPNAVINST 5100.20C tasks the Navy Department with the responsibility to design a heat stress program, evaluate heat stress related data, set standards for control, develop and install alterations to decrease the identified heat stress conditions, and develop a Navywide heat stress educational program. NAVMEDCOM is tasked with rendering assistance, as required, and keeping the PHEL chart and other health-related guidance factors reflecting current knowledge. Individual commanding officers will establish and enforce heat stress compliance programs, ensure preventive maintenance of heat stress related items is performed and any deficiencies are recorded on the CSMP, report and conduct inquiries into any heat stress related injury resulting in unconsciousness, and request assistance in identifying and correcting design deficiencies that contribute to heat stress. The MDR will aid in heat stress monitoring, complete NAVMED 6500/1, Report of Heat/Cold Injury, for any heat-related injury, ensure that any heat injury is correctly recorded as either systemic or local on NAVMED 6300/1, Medical Services and Outpatient Morbidity Report, and aid in training the crew