In response to a request from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (SIC-9711), Seattle, Washington, an investigation was made of possible hazardous working conditions for lock personnel at two facilities, Chittenden Locks in Seattle and the Ice Harbor Lock and Dam near Pasco. Specific concern was voiced over possible exposure to microwave radiation from marine radar systems on water craft passing through the locks. Radar equipment was often left on, even though it was not needed in the locks. Approximately 100,000 commercial and pleasure vessels navigated Chittenden Locks annually. At Ice Harbor Lock and Dam the volume of vessels was much less, but the same type of marine radar systems were in place. Many of the pleasure boats either turned off their marine radar systems or put them into standby as they entered the locks. They were requested to turn them back on for the study. The author concludes that electric and magnetic field intensities measured did not represent a health hazard to lock personnel. The author recommends that signs be posted at the locks to remind incoming craft to turn off their marine radar systems and that commercially available radar detector systems be installed to monitor any nonadherence to the recommendation.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Hazard Evaluation and Technical Assistance Report HETA 89-284-L2029, Technical Assistance to the Federal Employees Occupational Health, Seattle, Washington


    Contributors:
    C. E. Moss (author)

    Publication date :

    1990


    Size :

    10 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English