118.1 Define the term HM.

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

118.2 Define the term HW.

Any discarded material (liquid, solid, or gas) which meets the definition of HM and/or is designated as a hazardous waste by the Environmental Protection Agency or a State authority.

118.3 Discuss HM storage and inspection requirements.

Stowage locations shall be inspected weekly and quarterly, inspect for tightness of closure, corrosion, leakage, improper or inadequate labeling, and expired shelf-life.

118.4 State the purpose and information contained on the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).

MSDS 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. They are located with the HM/HW Coordinator at Medical, Supply Officer, Work Center, and the HM container.

118.5 What are the 6 categories of HM?

  1. Flammable or combustible materials

  2. Toxic materials
  3. Corrosive materials (including acids and bases)
  4. Oxidizing materials
  5. Aerosol containers
  6. Compressed gases

118.6 Explain the general procedures to be followed when a HM/HW spill is discovered.

Because of the hazardous nature of many materials used aboard ships, only trained personnel shall respond to a hazardous material (HM) spill. Personnel shall be trained by division officers or supervisory personnel to clean up small spills of HM. Appropriate MSDS sheets shall be used to conduct training. Spill response procedures are:

  1. Discovery

  2. Notification
  3. Initiation of action
  4. Evaluation
  5. Containment
  6. Damage control
  7. Dispersion of Gases/vapors
  8. Cleanup and decontamination
  9. Disposal
  10. Certification for re-entry
  11. Follow-up reports

118.7 State the personal protection equipment required when handling HM/HW.

Eye protection, respiratory devices, and gloves.

118.8 Discuss the disposal limitations for the following:

  1. Adhesives- (1) comply with your own ship/station procedures for handling the disposal of hazardous materials and contaminated rags, absorbents, containers, and clothing. (2) Planned Maintenance System (PMS) disposal methods shall be followed during performance of PMS. (3) store used/excess adhesive materials in approved, labeled containers, pending shore disposal.

  2. Grease- (1) comply with your own ship/station procedures for handling the disposal of hazardous materials and contaminated rags, absorbents, containers, and clothing. (2) Planned Maintenance System (PMS) disposal methods shall be followed during performance of PMS. (3) containerize spent greases or spilled greases in an approved container, original can, or doubled plastic bags. Seal and label container or bag as to the contents and store as used hazardous flammable material pending shore disposal. No overboard discharges are permitted. (4) never place used or excess grease in shipboard incinerators.
  3. Hydraulic fluid- (1) comply with your own ship/station procedures for handling the disposal of hazardous materials and contaminated rags, absorbents, containers, and clothing. (2) Planned Maintenance System (PMS) disposal methods shall be followed during performance of PMS. (3) containerize spent or spilled hydraulic fluids in approved containers for proper shore disposal. (4) keep collected petroleum hydraulic fluids seperate from synthetic hydraulic fluids.
  4. Fuels- (1) comply with your own ship/station procedures for handling the disposal of hazardous materials and contaminated rags, absorbents, containers, and clothing. (2) Planned Maintenance System (PMS) disposal methods shall be followed during performance of PMS. (3) containerize all excess fuels in fire safe drums for proper shore disposal. (4) place fuel-contaminated rags/absorbent materials in fire safe drums for shore disposal.
  5. Waste oils- (1) comply with your own ship/station procedures for handling the disposal of hazardous materials and contaminated rags, absorbents, containers, and clothing. (2) Planned Maintenance System (PMS) disposal methods shall be followed during performance of PMS. (3) containerize spent or spilled oils/lubricants in approved containers for proper shore disposal. (4) used/excess oily solid materials such as contaminated rags, absorbents, and oil filters may be thrown overboard beyond 50 nautical miles of shore (the discharged material can only contain minimum amounts of residual oil and must be negatively bouyant). If within 50 nautical miles, containerize the used/excess oily solid material for shore disposal. (5) keep collected petroleum lubricants/oils seperate from synthetic lubricants/oils.
  6. Paint/paint thinners- (1) comply with your own ship/station procedures for handling the disposal of hazardous materials and contaminated rags, absorbents, containers, and clothing. (2) Planned Maintenance System (PMS) disposal methods shall be followed during performance of PMS. (3) containerize all used/excess paint materials in approved containers for proper shore disposal.

118.9 Describe required training for all hands with respect to the HM/HW program.

Training shall include:

  1. Types of HM in their work area and aboard ship.

  2. What HMs are and how they are disposed of.
  3. How to read and interpret hazard warning labels.
  4. What an MSDS is, how to read it, and where a copy is available to review. General information on HM handling, stowage, use, and disposal.
  5. Protective measures when handling HM.
  6. Emergency procedures.

118.10 Describe the purpose of secondary labeling of HM when removed from the original container.

Use only approved containers, ensure that existing precautionary labeling is retained and that subsequent containers are marked with appropriate precautionary labeling.

118.11 Discuss the purpose of the HM Authorized Use List (AUL).

A current inventory of HM, chemical substances, or components known or suspected to contain HM 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.