TRAINING Personnel in the hearing conservation program should receive 1 hour of training on the program before they go to work, and annually thereafter. The training should  include  the  following  topics: l l l l l l l l The elements and rationale for the program Designated noise hazardous areas and equipment Proper   use   and   maintenance   of   hearing protective  devices,  including  the  advantages  and disadvantages of each type The necessity for periodic hearing testing Individual   responsibilities Off-duty  hearing  conservation The  effects  of  hearing  loss  on  career  longevity, promotion,  and  retention The  incidence  of  hearing  loss  within  the individual’s  work  spaces RECORDS Noise measurement data, including audiometric records and information in a person’s health record should be retained as required by current directives. The following  specific  records  should  be  kept: The MDR should record the results of hearing tests and  exposure  assessments  in  each  person’s  health record.   This   includes   reference   audiograms, evaluations,  dispositions,  and  referrals.  Reference hearing tests should be recorded on form DD 2215 and monitoring  tests  on  form  DD  2216.  Individual  exposure level data should be recorded on the DD 2215 or DD 2216 in the Location-Place of Work section. The first copy  of  each  of  these  forms  should  be  sent  to NAVENVIRHLTHCEN. The second copy should be kept for local use and may be destroyed when no longer useful. The MDR should keep a roster of personnel who routinely work in noise hazardous areas and update it as needed and at least annually. The MDR should use this tickler file to schedule annual audiometric examinations of  these  personnel. THE HEAT STRESS PROGRAM Heat stress is caused by certain combinations of air temperature,  thermal  radiation,  humidity,  airflow,  and workload that reduce the body’s ability to adjust. Body temperature  increases  cause  fatigue,  severe  headaches, nausea,  and  reduced  physical  and  mental  performance. If  exposure  is  prolonged,  the  body’s  temperature  may increase and lead to heat exhaustion or heatstroke. These injuries can be life threatening if they are not treated immediately.  However,  heat  exposure  occurs  gradually, and  the  effects  are  reversible  if  you  follow  precautions. This section will cover the procedures we use to prevent heat  stress. CONDITIONS LEADING TO HEAT STRESS Heat stress can occur in most places throughout a ship. However, the worst conditions are usually found in  areas  that  generate  extra  heat,  such  as  machinery spaces,  laundries,  sculleries,  and  steam  catapult  rooms. The most common correctable causes of heat stress are steam and water leaks, boiler air casing leaks, missing or  deteriorated  thermal  insulation,  ventilation  systems defects,  and  weather  conditions  of  high  heat  and humidity. You can help reduce these conditions with proper  maintenance  on  equipment  that  contributes  to high heat and humidity. HEAT STRESS SURVEYS Heat stress surveys are used to determine stay time, or how long a person may work at a given watch or work station before there is danger of heat stress. More strenuous  work  reduces  stay  time.  Conduct  heat  stress surveys at work or watch stations under any of the following conditions: (1) when dry-bulb temperature exceeds 100°F, (2) when heat or moisture is unusually high,  and  (3)  before  engineering  casualty  control  drills. The  next  paragraphs  describe  the  basic  procedure  used in a heat stress survey; always refer to the instructions before you begin. 1. First, use a WGBT meter to measure dry bulb, wet bulb, and globe temperatures at your watch or work station and convert the readings to a WGBT index. 2. Next, enter the WGBT index on a PHEL chart. The  PHEL  chart  contains  six  physiological  heat exposure limits, or PHEL curves, that show the average stay time in a given work environment before you are in  danger  of  heat  stress,  The  curves  range  from  light work (PHEL curve 1) to heavy work (PHEL curve VI). 3. The WGBT index entered on the appropriate curve on the PHEL chart will give you the maximum time  (stay  time)  you  should  remain  at  your  station  before resting. 10-6