. Pass a fit-test with each type of respirator you
may use.
. Be trained to use the respirator(s).
Checking Facepiece Seals
Complete the following seal checks on the
facepiece when you first put on a respirator:
POSITIVE PRESSURE CHECK.– Place your
palm or thumb over the exhalation valve and press
lightly. Exhale gently. The respirator is properly sealed
if no air leaks around the edges and you feel a slight
positive pressure inside the facepiece.
NEGATIVE PRESSURE CHECK.- Place your
palm(s) over the cartridge(s) or canister inlet. Inhale
gently. The respirator is properly sealed if no air leaks
around the edges and you feel a slight negative pressure
inside the facepiece as it collapses slightly towards the
face.
Inspecting Respirators
Inspect all respirators routinely before and after use.
Inspect emergency use respirators after each use and at
least monthly. Inspect SCBAs before and after each use
and at least monthly. In all inspections, look for any
defects in fit; seal; material; filter, cartridge, or canister
selection; cleanliness; and function.
THE HAZARDOUS MATERIAL/WASTE
PROGRAM
Navy ships require hazardous material (HM),
therefore they produce hazardous waste (HW). The
hazardous material/waste program was developed to
manage both HM and HW. This chapter will cover the
general requirements for HM and HW, both of which
are a chain of command responsibility that begins with
the individual sailor and extends to the commanding
officer.
PROGRAM ELEMENTS
The following elements are needed to carry out an
effective HM/HW program:
l Designate adequate storage for HM/HW.
l Control purchasing, receipt, and issue to avoid
accumulation of excess HM.
. Follow approved safety standards for the use of
HM.
l
l
l
l
Collect, segregate, and dispose of HW.
Respond to HW emergencies.
Obtain material safety data sheets (MSDSs) for
onboard HM.
Train personnel as necessary.
HAZARDOUS MATERIAL
HM is 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. The most common HM are
flammable/combustible materials, toxic materials,
corrosive material (including acids and bases),
oxidizing materials, aerosol containers, and compressed
gases.
There are other HM that we will not cover in this
manual because the engineering department is seldom
involved with them. They are ammunition, weapons,
explosives, explosive-actuated devices, propellants,
pyrotechnics, chemical and biological warfare
materials, medical and pharmaceutical supplies,
medical waste and infectious materials, bulk fuels, and
radioactive materials.
HAZARDOUS WASTE
HW is any discarded material (liquid, solid, or gas)
that meets the definition of HM and/or is designated as
a hazardous waste by the EPA or state authority. The
term hazardous material turned into store (HMTIS)
refers to usable HM in excess of a ship’s needs and
awaiting transfer to a shore activity. The term hazardous
material turned into disposal (HMTID) refers to
nonusable HM awaiting transfer to a shore activity for
disposal.
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS
MSDS are technical bulletins that contain
information about material such as composition,
chemical and physical characteristics, health and safety
hazards, and precautions for safe handling and use.
MSDSs are required for every HM and they must be
readily available to personnel who use or handle HM.
The Naval Safety Center assigns numbers to all MSDSs
used by forces afloat. MSDS numbered stickers are
provided to help correlate the MSDS to the product label
for ready reference, recognition of hazardous material,
and training. All personnel using HM must be trained to
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