COMPLIANCE WITH THIS INSTRUCTION IS MANDATORY

Transcription

1 BY ORDER OF THE COMMANDER HILL AIR FORCE BASE HILL AIR FORCE BASE INSTRUCTION SEPTEMBER 2018 Aerospace Medicine THERMAL INJURY PREVENTION PROGRAM COMPLIANCE WITH THIS INSTRUCTION IS MANDATORY ACCESSIBILITY: Publications and forms are available on the e-publishing website at for downloading or ordering RELEASABILITY: There are no releasability restrictions on this publication OPR: 75 AMDS/SGPB Certified by: 75 MDG/CC (Col Kelly L. Dorenkott) Pages: 6 This instruction implements Air Force Policy Directive (AFPD) 48-1, Aerospace Medicine Program, references Air Force Instruction (AFI) , Thermal Injury Prevention Program, and provides supporting installation guidance for establishing and implementing an effective local Thermal Injury Prevention Program (TIPP). This instruction covers the dissemination of required information and training for Air Force employees. The intent of this instruction is to reduce the incidence of thermal injury by informing employees of the hazards associated with training in extreme temperatures and to implement proper preventive measures. This instruction applies to all Team Hill personnel. Governing directives for the heat stress program implemented by this instruction are in AFI , Thermal Injury Prevention Program. Refer recommended changes and questions about this publication to the Office of Primary Responsibility (OPR) using Air Force (AF) Form 847, Recommendation for Change of Publication. Ensure that all records created because of processes prescribed in this publication are maintained IAW Air Force Manual (AFMAN) , Management of Records, and disposed of in accordance with (IAW) Air Force Records Information Management System (AFRIMS) Records Disposition Schedule (RDS).

2 2 HILLAFBI SEPTEMBER Background/Overview. This instruction outlines the implementation of procedures and responsibilities of commanders and organizations at Hill Air Force Base (AFB) to implement an effective TIPP. 2. Roles and Responsibilities Unit/Organizational Commanders Ensure that supervisors are enforcing the use of the Buddy System when personnel are working outdoors during inclement weather (reference Attachment 2) Implement work/rest cycles and hydration recommendations as applicable using risk management (RM) principles involving potentially hazardous thermal operations The 75th Operations Support Squadron, Weather Flight (75 OSS/OSW) Weather will issue an Observed Weather Advisory on an automated weather dissemination system when the wind chill calculated using the peak gust during the last 15 minutes is less than or equal to -18 degrees Celsius (0 degrees Fahrenheit). The advisory will be disseminated when the condition is first observed. A transmission on the automated system will be made noting the end of the criterion. The initial and ending advisory messages will be appropriately flagged on the automated system Provides Fighter Index of Thermal Stress (FITS) measurements and guidance for aircrew with clear bubble canopy aircraft through the Joint Environmental Toolkit (JET) The 75th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, Bioenvironmental Engineering Flight (75 AMDS/SGPB) Based on historical data, Bioenvironmental Engineering (BE) will measure and determine the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) index when the expected ambient temperature is expected to be 85 degrees F or greater. BE will monitor and report WBGT readings in 2-hour increments starting from 1000 until Posts the heat stress results on the Hill AFB SharePoint site ( with the current Heat Stress category Supervisors Ensure that personnel use the Buddy System when working outdoors during inclement weather. See Attachment 2 for Buddy System information Monitor heat conditions through the Hill AFB SharePoint and cold stress conditions through the Weather Flight. If weather conditions appear to be unfavorable or deteriorating, supervisors should immediately check/ask for weather status. Any supervisor observing outdoor operations that are unsafe due to weather conditions will immediately stop operations and seek guidance from the chain of command. Supervisors will direct compliance with these instructions to ensure all personnel are protected against heat/cold weather injuries. Reference AFI for Wind Chill Temperature Index Reference Values, Advisory Flag Colors, and for Thermal Injury Prevention Charts.

3 HILLAFBI SEPTEMBER Use the Heat Index Chart ( to prevent thermal injuries when workers operate after normal duty hours, weekends, or at geographically separated units (GSUs) Personal Protective Equipment. If applicable, ensure personnel are trained on the proper care and use of protective equipment Encourage Water Intake. Commanders and supervisors are responsible for ensuring water is available. Do not use thirst as an index of how much to drink; drink more than you think you might need. Small amounts of water are encouraged during periods of moderate activity when exposed to hot temperatures Encourage adequate rest before physical exertion Modifications to the WBGT for clothing. Normal duty-type uniforms, overalls, and long-sleeved civilian work clothes do not drive any adjustment to the WBGT. Wearing a second layer of clothing, such as chemical protective gear or firefighting bunker gear adds +10 degrees F to the WBGT measurement for light work, and +20 degrees F for moderate/heavy work. Additionally, the wear of body armor adds an additional +5 degrees F to the WBGT measurement. These increases in WBGT values due to additional layers of clothing can potentially increase the heat injury risk by shifting the low/moderate heat category to an extreme heat category. JON A. EBERLAN, Colonel, USAF Commander

4 4 HILLAFBI SEPTEMBER 2018 References Attachment 1 GLOSSARY OF REFERENCES AND SUPPORTING INFORMATION AFPD 48-1, Aerospace Medicine Program, 23 August 2011 AFI , Thermal Injury Prevention Program, 7 April 2016 AFMAN , Management of Records, 1 March 2008; Incorporating Change 2, 9 June 2016; Certified Current 21 July 2016 Adopted Forms AF Form 847, Recommendation for Change of Publication Abbreviations and Acronyms AF Air Force AFB Air Force Base AFPD Air Force Policy Directive AFI Air Force Instruction AFMAN Air Force Manual AFRIMS Air Force Records Information Management System BE Bioenvironmental Engineering F Fahrenheit FITS Fighter Index of Thermal Stress GSUs Geographically Separated Units IAW in accordance with JET Joint Environmental Toolkit OPR Office of Primary Responsibility RDS Records Disposition Schedule RM Risk Management TIPP Thermal Injury Prevention Program WBGT Wet Bulb Globe Temperature 75 AMDS/SGPB 75th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, Bioenvironmental Engineering Flight 75 OSS/OSW 75th Operations Support Squadron

5 HILLAFBI SEPTEMBER Terms Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) Index Explanation The Bioenvironmental Engineering Flight (75 AMDS/SGPB) calculates WBGT index from dry bulb temperature, wet bulb temperature (i.e., humidity and wind speed), and black globe temperature (i.e., solar load) readings. When the WBGT index reaches 88 degrees F, high heat stress conditions exist. At 90 degrees F WBGT, the risk of heat illness is extreme. NOTE: This is NOT the same as the heat index, which is an apparent temperature that gives an idea of what it would feel like at low humidity conditions. Wind Chill Temperature Index (degrees F) The temperature adjusted for the cooling effect of the wind on exposed skin in a cold environment. This is determined using ambient temperature and wind velocity which is then cross referenced using to a wind chill risk chart.

6 6 HILLAFBI SEPTEMBER 2018 Attachment 2 BUDDY SYSTEM A2.1. During periods of adverse weather, personnel working outdoors (exposed to both extreme heat and cold weather conditions) should perform their duties with a coworker, when authorized by supervision, to check each other for signs of heat exhaustion, heat stroke, frostbite, and hypothermia. A2.2. Supervisor/coworker responsibilities include monitoring themselves and others for signs and symptoms of heat/cold related injury and illness, and ensuring all personnel consume appropriate amounts of water for the level of work that is being performed. A Heat exhaustion. This is caused by loss of body salt and fluids or failure to provide the body with an adequate amount of fluids and is a sign that the body is not regulating the heat load. Individuals with symptoms of heat exhaustion will have pale, clammy skin; headaches; dizziness; clumsiness; irritability; general weakness; and nausea. Remove the individual from the heat source and attempt to cool them by having them drink cool water. Since personnel may faint, they should be relieved of their duties and taken to a safe area. The signs and symptoms seen in heat exhaustion are similar to those of heat stroke. Give the individual fluids slowly and only if they are conscious and are not vomiting. Do not leave them unattended at any time. Heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke and become a medical emergency. Seek medical attention immediately. A Heat stroke. This occurs when the body can no longer regulate the core temperature and results from extreme loss of fluids. Heat stroke is a medical emergency. The primary signs and symptoms of heat stroke are confusion; irrational behavior; loss of consciousness; convulsions; a lack of sweating; hot, red, dry skin; and an abnormally high body temperature. If the body temperature is too high, death will follow. If a worker shows signs of possible heat stroke, call 911 immediately. The worker should be placed in a shaded area and the outer clothing loosened or removed. Wet or immerse the individual s body with cool water and fan them. Give the individual fluids slowly and only if they are conscious and are not vomiting. Do not leave them unattended at any time. A Frostbite. The symptoms are loss of feeling in the affected area and a dead, white appearance of the affected flesh. Particular attention must be paid to the nose, cheeks and ears for visible signs of frostbite. If frostbite is suspected, obtain medical advice from qualified medical personnel immediately. A Hypothermia. The symptoms of hypothermia (exposure) are fits of shivering, vague and slurred speech, memory lapses, fumbling hands, lurched walk, drowsiness and exhaustion, and apparent unconcern about physical discomfort. Personnel are subject to hypothermia when exposed to prolong freezing temperatures, but symptoms are usually noticed by others before the victim is aware of them. If hypothermia is suspected, medical personnel will be contacted immediately, as hypothermia can result in death if untreated.