DEFINITION OF HAZARDOUS MATERIAL What  is  hazardous  material?   “Hazardous material” can be defined as any material that, because of its quantity, concentration, or physical or chemical characteristics, may pose a real hazard to human health or the environment. Hazardous materials include the following categories:    Flammable and Combustible Material    Toxic Material    Corrosive Material    Oxidizers    Aerosols    Compressed Gases Separate   directives   cover   some   materials considered hazardous. They include mercury; asbestos; propellants; bulk fuels; ammunition; medical waste; and chemical, biological, and radiological materials. Afloat  units  turn  in  used  or  excess  HAZMATS  to Public  Works  Centers  or  other  shore  collection  sites. The shore site then restores, recycles, or disposes of the used or excess hazardous materials. HAZARDOUS MATERIALS INFORMATION SYSTEM The   Hazardous   Materials   Information   System (HMIS) is a computerized database of material safety data   sheets   (MSDSs).   It   provides   information   for people  working  in  hazardous  material  management. The   system   provides   basic   technical   information required for all levels of hazardous materials to aid in their   proper   handling,   storage,   transportation,   and disposal.   In   addition,   HMIS   provides   information about safety, health, and environmental functions. The HMIS database provides useful information on more  than  70,000  hazardous  materials  used  by  DoD. The  Naval  Supply  Systems  Command  distributes  the database  quarterly  as  part  of  the  Hazardous Material Control and Management (HMC&M) CD-ROM, which contains the following materials:    HMIS database with MSDSs and labels    Ship Hazardous Material List (SHML)    Shelf Life Management Chart    Hazardous Material User’s Guide (HMUG)    Shipboard Safety Equipment Shopping Guide    Glossary of Hazardous Terms    HMIS/HMC&M Feedback Form    Navy  Inventory  Control  Point  SHML  Feedback Report    DOT Guides    Tutorial for hardware and software Each ship and most shore stations have been issued a   computer   compact   disk   (CD)   player   and   are   on distribution for HMC&M updates. WORK CENTER SUPERVISORS RESPONSIBILITIES Work   center   supervisors   have   the   following responsibilities when working with HAZMATS: Ensure   that   approved   personal   protective clothing and equipment are maintained and used. Ensure  that  prior  to  initial  use  or  handling  any hazardous  materials,  workcenter  personnel  have  been trained on the hazards associated with that material and are familiar with what an MSDS is, what it contains, and where a copy is available for review. Ensure that, prior to using any hazardous material, personnel   under   their   supervision   are   trained   on   the hazards associated with that material, and that they have been  provided  with  necessary  protective  clothing  and equipment (i.e., eye protection, respirators, gloves). Ensure   that   adequate   supply   and   exhaust ventilation is maintained in all spaces where hazardous materials   are   used,   that   such   systems   are   in   good operating condition, and that they have been evaluated as adequate by the industrial hygiene survey team. Keep ventilation  intakes  clear  of  hazardous  material  at  all times. 6-7 Q7. Occupational Safety and Health Admini- stration passed a regulation that requires all civilian and military employees of the federal government to comply with what regulation? 1. Hazardous   Material   Control   and Management 2. Hazard Material and Refuse Management 3. Hazard Communication Standard 4. Hazardous and Toxic Material Disposal REVIEW QUESTION