Metabolic energy costs of USAF Explosive Ordnance Disposal render-safe procedures: Field determinations. Interim report, 1 Jun-1 Dec 87

Technical Report · Wed May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1991

OSTI ID:5147895

Kroch, L P

The primary mission of the USAF Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technicians is to render safe munition--conventional chemical, biological or nuclears--that pose a safety hazard during peacetime as well as wartime. The physical work is quite varied; a specific task may require only a few minutes with minimal physical effort, or may require many hours and be very physically demanding. This study measured the metabolic requirements of two EOD teams performing separate typical render safe procedures (RSO) on a chemical bomb. Data show the average work rate was between 0.68 and 0.80 liters of 02 per min for both RSP operations. This work requirement is considered moderate-to-hard, however, the EOD technician should be capable of performing this type of work on an extended daily basis without accumulating fatigue, provided there are no other external stresses. The extended duration and acute dexterity, both mental and physical, required for successful completion of an RSP operation add a unique and intangible level of difficulty to the metabolic requirements. The data from the present study represents an estimation of the energy required to perform a typical chemical operation RSP and should be useful in making management decisions regarding work tolerance for EOD technicians.

• Research Organization: Armstrong Lab., Brooks AFB, TX (United States)
• OSTI ID: 5147895
• Report Number(s): AD-A-239042/5/XAB; AL-TR--1991-0028
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
450000 -- Military Technology
Weaponry
& National Defense
450600* -- Military Technology
Weaponry
& National Defense-- Chemical & Biological-- (1990)
AMMUNITION
CHEMICAL WARFARE AGENTS
DECISION MAKING
ENERGY
HAZARDS
MANAGEMENT
METABOLISM
MILITARY PERSONNEL
PERFORMANCE
PERSONNEL
SAFETY
SPECIFICATIONS
STRESSES
TOLERANCE
WEAPONS
WORK
WORKING CONDITIONS