6-11
Stow organic-cleaning solvents in a flammable
liquid storeroom, ready service storeroom, or flammable
liquid lockers, according to NSTM, chapter 670, section
4. Keep the solvents away from heat, open flames, or
spark-producing devices. Stow them away from
oxidizers, such as calcium hypochlorite, sodium nitrate,
and hydrogen peroxide.
When handling organic-cleaning solvents, wear the
following PPE:
Neoprene gloves
Safety splash goggles
Coveralls (recommended)
In addition, if vapors accumulate over 100 parts per
million (ppm), wear an oxygen-breathing apparatus
(OBA) and notify the gas-free engineer.
DISPOSAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIAL.—
When it becomes necessary to dispose of any hazardous
material, it is important to consult with the command’s
hazardous material control authority. Containers of
unused, contaminated, toxic, corrosive, and so forth,
material have different guidelines for disposal.
Absorbents used in cleaning, applying, or packing
HAZMATS should be treated using the same
precautions followed for the hazardous material they
absorbed. The many procedures and directives that
govern the disposal of hazardous material are constantly
changing and being updated. As mentioned earlier,
supervisors are charged with following established
safety procedures. NSTM, chapter 670, gives further
details on disposal of hazardous material.
REVIEW 2 QUESTIONS
Q1.
How often should flammable liquids in storage
lockers be inspected?
Q2.
What document should you consult for disposal of
hazardous materials?
Q3.
When handling chlorinated-cleaning solvents,
what personal protective equipment (PPE) should
you wear?
Q4.
When cleaning with chlorinated-cleaning solvent
inside of an enclosed space, what precautions
must you observe for ventilation?
Q5.
Whom should you consult when disposing
of hazardous material?
Q6.
How should you dispose of cleaning rags?
DAMAGE CONTROL PETTY OFFICER
Learning Objectives: Recall the procedures for making
damage control closure log entries. Recall the procedures
for maintaining damage control fittings and equipment.
The safety of the ship and its crew is of utmost
importance in carrying out the command’s mission. The
damage control organization plays a critical part in
ensuring this safety function. An essential person
assigned the responsibilities to oversee the material
condition of areas of damage control at the division level
and upward throughout the chain of command is the
Damage Control Petty Officer (DCPO).
DESIGNATION
A petty officer who has completed his or her
personnel qualifications standards (PQS) can be
designated as the DCPO in each work center based on
type commanders (TYCOM) instructions. Division
officers nominate DCPOs and duty DCPOs for
endorsement by the chain of command. The executive
officer gives the final approval for nomination,
replacement, and rotation of all DCPOs. DCPOs
normally serve for a period of 6 months. They check in
with the fire marshal and damage control assistant
(DCA) when first assigned to or relieved from this duty.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Two specific responsibilities of the DCPOs and duty
DCPOs are making damage control closure log entries
and maintaining damage control fittings and equipment.
The following information pertains to the performance
of these duties.
