HAZMAT/HAZWASTE

Question 1

Hazardous Material (HAZMAT) Definition:

Answer 1

Any material that, because of its quantity, concentration, or physical or chemical characteristics, may pose a substantial hazard to human health or the environment when purposefully released or accidentally spilled. Once these materials have been used, the discarded material (liquid, solid, or gas which meets the definition of HAZMAT is designated as a hazardous waste (HAZWASTE) HAZMAT. It is everyone’s job to ensure the proper disposal and/or storage of HAZMAT/HAZWASTE to minimize personal and environmental impact.

Question 2

HAZMAT storage and inspection requirements:

Answer 2

Stowage locations shall be inspected weekly and quarterly; the inspections should consist of tightness of closure, corrosion, leakage, improper or inadequate labeling, and shelf-life.

Question 3

Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS):

Answer 3

MSDS’s are technical bulletins containing information about materials, such as composition, chemical and physical characteristics, health and safety hazards, and precautions for safe handling and use.

Question 4

The 6 categories of HAZMAT are:

Answer 4

• Flammable or combustible materials
• Aerosol containers
• Toxic materials
• Corrosive materials (including acids and bases)
• Oxidizing materials
• Compressed gases

Question 5

HAZMAT Authorized Use List (AUL):

Answer 5

A current inventory of HAZMAT, chemical substances, or components known or suspected to contain HAZMAT used for local acquisition and use. Local workcenters or codes should maintain a current inventory of items authorized for local use and keep it current.
Training for all hands should include the following:
- Types of HAZMAT in their work area and aboard ship.
- What HAZWASTE is and how to dispose of it.
- How to read and interpret hazard warning labels.
- What an MSDS is, how to read it, and where a copy is available to review.
Protective measures when handling HAZMAT.
- Emergency procedures.

Question 6

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS):

Answer 6

Document that contains on the potential health effects of exposure to chemicals, or other potentially dangerous substances, and on safe working procedures when handling chemical products. It is an essential starting point for the development of a complete health and safety program. It contains hazard evaluations on the use, storage, handling and emergency procedures related to that material. The MSDS contains much more information about the material than the label and it is prepared by the supplier. It is intended to tell what the hazards of the product are, how to use the product safely, what to expect if the recommendations are not followed, what to do if accidents occur, how to recognize symptoms of overexposure, and what to do if such incidents occur.

Question 7

HAZWASTE Disposal:

Answer 7

HAZWASTE is disposed of based on the category of HAZWASTE, some of these methods are, containers (HAZWASTE specific), double plastic bagged, and drums. For Flammables the containers must be fire safe in nature, NEVER place flammables HW into the ships incinerator.

Question 8

HAZMAT/HAZWASTE spills:

Answer 8

Because of the hazardous nature of many materials used aboard ships, only trained personnel shall respond to a HAZMAT spill. The general steps of spill response are:
 Discovery
 Notification
 Initiation of action
 Evaluation
 Containment
 Damage control
 Dispersion of Gases/vapors
 Cleanup and decontamination
 Disposal
 Certification for re-entry
 Follow-up reports

Question 9

What is Oily Waste?

Answer 9

Oil is mixed with water or other fluids such that the state of the mixture generated is no longer useful without further treatment, such as oil reclamation.

Question 10

What is Waste Oil?

Answer 10

Waste oil is oil whose characteristics have changed markedly since being originally refined and has become unsuitable for further shipboard use, and is not considered economically shipboard recyclable.

Question 11

Spills Outside the U.S. Contiguous Zone:

Answer 11

Initiate immediate action to mitigate the effects of the spill.
Notify the predesignated fleet Navy On Scene Coordinator, NOSC, by naval message.
The fleet NOSC shall implement the applicable fleet NOSC Oil and Hazardous Sub stance Spill Response Plan.

Question 12

Proper Marking of HM Containers:

Answer 12

Manufacturer’s labels for shipboard identification of HM containers must clearly identify the material name, the manufacturer’s name and address, and the nature of the hazard presented by the HM including the target organ potentially affected by the material. A manufacturer’s label may be a tag, sign, placard, or gummed sticker.

Question 13

Precautions When Handling Flammables:

Answer 13

• The main objective in working safely with flammable liquids is to avoid accumulation of vapors and to control sources of ignition.
• Besides the more obvious ignition sources, such as open flames from Bunsen burners, matches and cigarette smoking, less obvious sources, such as electrical equipment, static electricity and gas-fired heating devices should be considered.
• Some electrical equipment, including switches, motors, and relays can produce sparks that can ignite vapors. Although some newer equipment have spark-free induction motors, the on-off switches and speed controls may be able to produce a spark when they are adjusted because they have exposed contacts. One solution is to remove any switches located on the device and insert a switch on the cord near the plug end.
• Pouring flammable liquids can generate static electricity. The development of static electricity is related to the humidity levels in the area. Cold, dry atmospheres are more likely to facilitate static electricity. Bonding or using ground straps for metallic or non-metallic containers can prevent static generation.
• Control all ignition sources in areas where flammable liquids are used. Smoking, open flames and spark producing equipment should not be used.
• Whenever possible use plastic or metal containers or safety cans. When working with open containers, use a fume hood to control the accumulation of flammable vapor.
• Use bottle carriers for transporting glass containers.
• Use equipment with spark-free, intrinsically safe induction motors or air motors to avoid producing sparks.
• Avoid using equipment with series-wound motors, since they are likely to produce sparks.
• Do not heat flammable liquids with an open flame. Steam baths, salt and sand baths, oil and wax baths, heating mantles and hot air or nitrogen baths are preferable.
• Minimize the production of vapors and the associated risk of ignition by flashback. Vapors from flammable liquids are denser than air and tend to sink to the floor level where they can spread over a large area.
• Electrically bond metal containers when transferring flammable liquids from one to another. Bonding can be direct, as a wire attached to both containers, or indirect, as through a common ground system.
• When grounding non-metallic containers, contact must be made directly to the liquid, rather than to the container. In the rare circumstance that static cannot be avoided, proceed slowly to give the charge time to disperse or conduct the procedure in an inert atmosphere.