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 c. When returning a hose to the pier after use, a sufficient number of
men must be assigned to the ship's hose handling crew, as the hose may be
heavier due to entrapped water.
12.4 SANITARY PRECAUTIONS. As the function of sewage hoses is to carry raw
sewage from vessels to shore for proper disposal, the interior of the hoses,
their fittings, and the risers to which the hoses are attached aboard ship
and on the pier are all exposed to potentially infectious material during
routine use. While every contact with sewage does not mean necessarily that
an individual will become ill, the potential for causing minor or major
sickness is always present.
The shore hose handling crew assumes a greater risk of coming into con-
tact with sewage or surfaces contaminated with sewage, because they handle
sewage hoses on a day-to-day schedule. The groups next in likelihood for
making contact are the vessels' hose handling crews, but at a lower rate of
occurrence. The group least likely to come into contact with raw sewage
being discharged through ship's hoses comprises the general personnel onboard
ship and on the piers. However, an incident involving general personnel
could involve simultaneous infection of large numbers of people.
Sanitary safety for the individual and for groups of people in handling
sewage hoses and associated equipment can be assured by following the proper
precautionary practices in carrying on the hose handling program. For
example, the importance of keeping sewage hoses and fittings in a top state
of repair at all times has been stressed in this manual. Although that
warning is concerned with physical safety and program efficiency, its most
urgent requirement is prevention of health hazards from sewage spills.
Similarly, a number of the steps called out as routine operations in
connection, disconnection, and conveyance of sewage hoses are intended to
avoid personal or public contamination. One example is the 10-minute salt
water flushing of hoses before they are returned from ship to pier after
use. Another example is the proper manipulation of riser valves, and the
conscientious use of riser valve dust plugs and covers.
The following listing of "housekeeping," sanitary and hygienic precau-
tions is intended to protect most personnel handling hoses and those who
might come into contact with sewage through spills or other occurrences:
a. Members of shore hose handling crews should consult with their
base's Regional Environmental Health Officer to determine what types of
immunization are recommended. The medical officer's advice should be fol-
lowed; as a minimum personnel handling sewage transfer hoses shall be inocu-
lated for water-borne diseases.
b. Personnel who connect or disconnect sewage transfer hoses shall not
subsequently handle potable water hoses. Different crews shall be used to
handle potable water hoses and sewage hoses to avoid intermixing operations.
c. Members of shore hose handling crews shall wear protective clothing
when disconnecting sewage hoses from ships. For routine disconnections, the
12-3
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