4-3.
FIELD SANITATION TEAM
Unit commanders are responsible for the disposal of waste from their unit areas.
When waste disposal facilities are not otherwise provided, the commanding officer must
arrange for the construction and operation of such facilities. A unit field sanitation team
appointed by the commander will usually supervise the construction and operation of
these facilities.
a. The field sanitation team is strictly an advisory team. It is not a labor force.
Each unit is responsible for constructing and operating it's own field waste disposal
devices.
b. The team consists of at least two persons, at least one of which is a
noncommissioned officer. A medical specialist may serve as a member of such a team.
Section II. IMPROVISED SANITARY DEVICES
4-4.
SOAKAGE PIT
A soakage pit is a device used to maintain a sanitary condition around mess kit
wash lines, improvised handwashing and showering facilities, and other situations
where water or other liquids may be spilled. A soakage pit assists in the natural
capability of the soil to absorb liquids. It is constructed by digging a square or
rectangular pit (pits are usually four feet square and four feet deep) and filling the hole
with rocks, bricks, broken bottles, or similar material that will act as a filter. The filter
material should be arranged (graded) so that the smaller stones or gravel are at the top
and the larger objects are at the bottom. The actual size of the soakage pit depends
upon the quantity of water that will flow into the pit.
4-5.
HANDWASHING DEVICES
One of the most common means of transmitting intestinal diseases is
contaminated hands. The importance of frequent and thorough handwashing cannot be
overemphasized. To encourage and enforce this practice, effective handwashing
devices should be conveniently located near field kitchens, field latrines, and other
locations where they may be appropriate within the area. Any device (container) that
holds water can be used as a handwashing device. The simplest handwashing devices
may be made from five-gallon water cans or from used number 10 size food cans.
a. Five-Gallon Cans. When using five-gallon water cans, punch a hole in the
cap and suspend the can from a support. By having the cans arranged as shown in
figure 4-1, they may be tipped to permit a flow of water.
MD0535
4-3