The Hazardous Materials User's Guide (HMUG) provides safety data for hazardous materials commonly used on ships. The HMUG supplements the information contained in the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs). Always refer to the MSDS first. Then use the HMUG to clarify any MSDS information you do not understand.

The HMUG provides compatibility information, control measures, safety precautions, health hazards, spill control, and disposal guidelines for 22 hazardous material groups (for instance, adhesives, cleaners, degreasers, paints, solvents, etc.).

The Compatibility Information section lists example material classes that are not compatible with the hazardous material group and the types of reactions that could occur if incompatible materials should mix.

The Control Measures section identifies and prescribes personal protective equipment (PPE) for the chemical hazards in the group.

The Safety Precautions section provides safety guidance for using and storing hazardous materials in the group.

The Health Hazards section points out common signs and effects of overexposure to the hazardous material and provides "What to do" instructions for the hazardous material user.

The Spill Control section provides information for responding to a spill.

The Disposal Guidelines section provides acceptable methods for disposing of materials within the group.

The HMUG does not include items such as ammunition, explosives, propellants, medical/ pharmaceutical supplies, and radioactive materials.

LABELING REQUIREMENTS

The Department of Defense (DOD) and the Navy both have standard label requirements for marking hazardous materials. Every Navy command must have a system to ensure that hazardous materials are properly marked. Within that system, all HM must be labeled in one of the following ways:

The original manufacturer's label or an exact copy of the manufacturer's label, or

For National Stock Number material, the original stock system container label or an exact copy of the stock system label, or

Standard DOD Hazardous Chemical Warning Label DD 2521 (figure 4-1) or DD 2522(figure 4-2), or

A label developed by the facility that contains the manufacturer's name, the product name, and either all hazard warnings provided by the original stock system/manufacturer's label, or a locally developed hazard warning based on the physical and health hazards listed on the stock system/manufacturer's label.

Some hazardous material containers may also display one of the Department of Transportation (DOT) shipping symbols shown in figure 4-3. These symbols depict the hazard category of the material and are used on outer packaging and on trucks and railway cars that transport those materials.

Figure 4-1.-Large Department of Defense Hazardous Chemical Warning Label (DD Form 2521).

Figure 4-2.-Small Department of Defense Hazardous Chemical Warning Label (DD Form 2522).

Note: National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) labels do not comply with the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Hazard Communication (HAZCOM) Standard. They may only be used to supplement a HAZCOM compliant label.

Ql. What is the minimum information that OSHA regulations require for labeling of hazardous materials?

Q2. What information can you find in the HMUG?