Sailors aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) use personal and professional electrical tools and devices on a daily basis. Using these products aboard Abraham Lincoln requires Sailors to have additional knowledge on electrical safety.

Electrician's Mates assigned to the electrical tool issue room conduct safety checks on personal electrical gear, as well as issue out electrical tools for departmental maintenance to help Sailors ensure their equipment is safe.

"Everyone is at risk in terms of electrical safety, from the commanding officer and executive officer, down to Sailors like you and I," said Electrician's Mate 2nd Class Sofia Rojas, one of the petty officer's working in the electrical tool issue room.

According to Rojas, 0.1 amps can kill someone, and since electrical receptacles aboard Abraham Lincoln have 15 amps running through them regularly, it's important Sailors are safe around electricity.

"Imagine if a Sailor were to touch something that's not inspected," said Rojas. "It wouldn't be good. Flat irons and microwaves pull a lot of current, so if a Sailor plugs into the electrical circuit they could blow up the circuit. When we do personal safety checks we usually confiscate cords that are cut or frayed."

A Sailor will receive electrical safety training on average four times within their first year aboard Lincoln, according to Electrician's Mate 2nd Class Mahamadi Ouedraogo, the work center supervisor in the electronic tool issue. When a Sailor checks aboard, they receive safety training. Soon afterwards, they receive training during Abraham Lincoln's two-week indoctrination class. Throughout the year and during safety stand-downs, Sailors receive additional ship-wide training regarding electrical safety.

The electrical safety requirements can be found in the Naval Ships' Technical Manual (NSTM) chapter 300, Abraham Lincoln Instruction 5100 4G, and the OPNAVINST 5100.19E.

"There's a lot of things we know about electrical safety that aren't common knowledge, and that's why it's important all Sailors bring their personal electronic items to us," said Ouedraogo. "We will make sure it's safe for you, and it's safe for the ship."

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