HAZARDOUS MATERIAL Read OPNAVINST 4110.2 dated 20 June 1989, subject: Hazardous Material Control and Management (HMC& M). This instruction establishes uniform policy, guidance, and requirements for the life-cycle control and total quality leadership (TQL) of hazardous material acquired and used by the Navy. This instruction, unless otherwise specified applies to all Navy organizations and shore activities involved in the planning, procurement, acquisition, stowage, distribution, requisition, use, or other disposition of hazardous material (including disposal of used hazardous materials and hazardous wastes in the United States and its territories). Navy shore activity requirements in foreign countries are to comply with the requirements of host nation Status of Forces agreements if they are more restrictive than U. S. regulations. Where host national requirements are less stringent, conform to U. S. OSHA and EPA laws and regulations to the extent feasible.

The Department of Defense (DoD) established the Hazardous Material Information System (HMIS) to acquire, stow, and disseminate manufacturer's data on hazardous material (HM). The system provides a means to share and communicate information on HM procured by a single DoD activity with all other commands, activities, and units within DoD.

HAZARDOUS WASTE AND THE SEABEE As you read the above paragraphs, you may have been inclined to think that the message and warnings could not possibly apply to you at your level. If this is what you thought, you were definitely wrong. It is true that the above instructions, along with a few others, give us the rules and regulations we must follow in regard to hazardous material, but they were also written for your protection. You, as a DoD employee, are ensured that the information on hazardous materials you may come in contact with will be available to you. This information is to be made available by means of comprehensive hazard communication programs, which are to include container labeling and other forms of warning, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), and training. As a member of today's Navy, you must be aware of the importance of hazardous material, used hazardous material and hazardous waste. You also must recognize the hazards of hazardous material, used hazardous material and hazardous waste to personnel and the environment. You must pay particular attention to OPNAVINST 4110.2 and OPNAVINST 5100.23C on the use, stowage, and disposal of hazardous material in your workplace.

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS (MSDS)

To comply with the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200, manufacturers of chemical products must use an MSDS, OSHA Form 174, or an equivalent form containing the identical data elements to inform the users of the chemical, physical, and hazardous properties of their product. The completed form identifies key information about the product; name, address, and emergency contact for the manufacture; the identity of hazardous ingredients; physical/ chemical characteristics; fire and explosion hazard data; reactivity data; health hazard data; precautions for safe handling and use; and control measures (fig. 1-23). All data submitted must comply with the provisions of FED-STD 313C (NOTAL).

You must be aware of any chemical hazards that are used in your work spaces or on the jobsite. An MSDS must be available in the workplace or posted conspicuously on all hazardous materials. The MSDS must be provided by the supply department and also by suppliers of any hazardous material issued or purchased. The MSDS must contain all the information you will need to work, stow, and dispose of hazardous material safely. In addition, the MSDS will identify any personnel protective clothing or equipment needed, as well as first aid or medical treatment required in case of exposure.

LABELED HAZARDOUS MATERIAL AND HAZARDOUS WASTE CONTAINERS Each container of material possessing hazardous ingredients should be properly labeled by the manufacturer, importer, and or shipper( s) to warn personnel of the potential dangers of the material. In the event warning labels are inadvertently removed or damaged in shipping before receipt by shore activities, commercial suppliers should be required to provide OSHA Hazard Communication (HAZCOM) compliant replacement labels. Activities are not required to put DoD or other hazardous material warning labels on new stocks because the manufacturer is responsible for placing a warning label on it that conforms with the HAZCOM standard.

OSHA labeling requirements are provided in reference 29 CFR 1910.1200 for workplace use of hazardous material. This OSHA standard requires that containers of hazardous material be labeled, tagged, or marked with the identity of the hazardous chemical( s); appropriate hazard warnings; and the name and address of the chemical manufacturer, importer, or other responsible party. Further information on hazard-ous material labeling can be found in DODINST 6050.5.