track all hazardous materials, the Department of Defense (DoD) has established the Hazardous Material Information System (HMIS), OPNAVINST 5100.23 (series), which acquires, stores, and disseminates data on hazardous materials procured for use. This information is readily available through every supply department.

A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) (fig. 1-9) has a variety of formats and is required for each hazardous item procured. It should be submitted to the procuring activity by the contractor/ manufacturer/vendor. The MSDS contains nine sections which provides the user with the following information:

1. General information

2. Hazardous ingredients

3. Physical/chemical characteristics

4. Fire and explosion hazard data

5. Reactivity data

6. Health hazard data

7. Spill or leak procedures

8. Special protection information

9. Control measures/special precautions

Hazardous materials, purchased by the military exchange systems for resale, do NOT require Material Safety Data Sheets.

Upon drawing any hazardous material, MLO provides the crew leader with an MSDS. The MSDS identifies any hazards associated with exposure to that specific material. It also identifies any personnel protective equipment or other safety precautions required, as well as the needed first aid or medical treatment as a result of exposure. The crew leader is required by federal law to inform crew members of the risks and all safety precautions associated with any hazardous material present in the shops or on the jobsite. Do this during each daily safety lecture. Additionally, the MSDS must be posted conspicuously at the jobsite, shop spaces, and any other approved hazardous material storage area.

COMMON HAZARDOUS CONSTRUCTION WASTES

Refuse of a highly combustible nature, such as dry wastepaper, excelsior (fine wood shavings), and so forth, should be collected in metal containers and not allowed to accumulate. When stored in quantity, keep these materials away from buildings, roadways, and ignition sources by a distance of 50 feet or more. Transport materials to an incinerator or landfill on a frequent schedule to minimize a fire hazard.

Drying Oils

Rags, paper, paint rollers, brushes, and so forth, that have absorbed drying types of oils, are subject to spontaneous heating. Keep them in well-covered metal cans and thoroughly dry them before collection for transport. Consider for example, the oils listed below. When you apply these oils, the materials used are subject to spontaneous heating and could ignite if not disposed of properly.

1. Linseed oil is a very common oil made from the flaxseed plant. Researchers find this oil very combustible when it is absorbed by rags and stored improperly. The chemical methyl ethyl ketone is an ingredient of linseed oil, which is a highly flammable organic solvent used as a thinner and a drying agent.

2. Tung oil is a fast-drying oil produced from the seed of a Chinese tree and contains the chemical methyl ethyl ketone. Tung oil has a relatively high flash point of 140°F, but the rags used to absorb the oil are very combustible if not disposed of properly.

3. Form oil is made up of modified polyurethane and resin-based materials. Usually applied by spray-on methods but at times applied by rubbed-on or rolled-on methods with various material. These materials are subject to spontaneous heating.

Flammable Liquids, Adhesives, and Waste Solvents

Flammable liquids, adhesives, and waste solvents have variable flash points and hence varying hazards, depending upon the composition. Some may contain solids, tars, waxes, and other combustible materials. Chlorinated solvents and water may also be present. Note the following examples:

1. Contact cement is a rubber or butane-based liquid adhesive, which is highly volatile. Methyl ethyl ketone is one of the chemicals in the makeup of this adhesive.