Environmental Training Hazardous Material

1
Environmental Training Hazardous Material
Please note This training does not substitute
the IMCOM-Europe online training for
Environmental Compliance Officers. It is training
for everybody working with hazardous material.
2
What is Hazardous Material? Hazardous material
poses risk to human health and/or the environment
Hazard symbols
Xn
Xi
N
E
Harmful to health
Irritant
Harmful to the environment
Explosive
T
T
C
O
F
F
Toxic
Very toxic
Corrosive
Flammable
Highly flammable
Oxidizing
European manufactures are obliged to put these
symbols on hazardous material containers When
using a container other than the original one the
new container must be labeled with at least -
common name (e.g. thinner) - hazardous
property (e.g. flammable) - hazard symbol
USAG-M HW/HM Handbook, page 10
3
How to Handle Hazardous Material
Examples of personal protective equipment and
mandatory signs

• Hazardous substances can enter the body in
  different ways
• Inhalation
• Swallowing
• Absorption through the skin
• Eye contact
• Physical hazards

3.
1.
Personal protective equipment
1.
2.
Wear respirator!
Wear safety gloves!
3.
4.
4.
Wear face mask!
Wear safety goggles!
Wear ear protection!
Wear safety shoes!
Wear helmet!
USAG-M HW/HM Handbook, page 11
4
How to Store Hazardous Material (1)

• Do not mix different chemicals, especially when
  containers have these hazard symbols
• Store containers separately, at least in separate
  secondary containments
• Store full gas cylinders outside in a cage
• Store oxygen and acetylene at least 50 feet
  apart

Corrosive
Oxidizing
Flammable
Toxic
USAG-M HW/HM Handbook, page 15,18
5
How to Store Hazardous Material (2)

• Container management at work areas
• - Store only daily use quantities
• - Store flammable substances in safety
  cabinets
• - Lock and secure toxic material
• - Secure gas cylinders

Proper storage in a flammable cabinet
USAG-M HW/HM Handbook, page 15-18
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How to Store Hazardous Material (3)

• Hazardous material storage area must be labeled
  with the following signs and appropriate hazard
  signs (see next slide)

Prohibitory signs
Fire, open flame and smoking prohibited
HAZARDOUS MATERIAL STORAGE AREA GEFAHRSTOFFLAGER
NO SMOKING WITHIN 50 FEET NICHT RAUCHEN IM
UMKREIS VON 15 METER ACCESS FOR UNAUTHORIZED
PERSONNEL IS FORBIDDEN KEIN ZUTRITT FÜR UNBEFUGTE
Access for unauthorized personnel prohibited
USAG-M HW/HM Handbook, page 13
7
How to Store Hazardous Material (4)

• You need hazard signs to mark the area/building
  where hazardous substances are stored
• Storage areas for hazardous material are e.g.
  safety cabinets or hazardous material storage area

Warning!Flammable Substances
Warning!Corrosive Substances
Warning!Oxidizing Substances
Warning!ToxicSubstances
Example of a hazardous material storage building
Warning!PressurizedGas Bottles
Warning!Explosive Substances
Warning! Explosive Atmosphere
Warning! Substances Harmful to Health or
Irritants
Warning!Battery Hazard
USAG-M HW/HM Handbook, page 12
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How to Store Hazardous Material (5)

• For all hazardous substances a water hazard class
  (WGK) is assigned
• Water-endangering liquids need secondary
  containment

When refilling make sure you do not spill!
USAG-M HW/HM Handbook, page 3
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Consequences of Nonconformance

• When containers are not properly labeled
  hazardous material could be used incorrectly
• Pollution of the environment, risk of fire, and
  health hazard if hazardous material is released
• Fines for pollution
• Inspection findings

10
How to Reduce Hazardous Material

• Compare the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
  for different chemicals and substitute toxic
  chemicals with non-toxic chemicals
• Use non-hazardous and biodegradable detergents
• Substitute solvent-based parts washers with
  water-based parts washers
• Buy hazardous material in smaller amounts or
  smaller containers and buy only as much as you
  need
• Put new material to the back of the hazardous
  material storage area and use older material
  first First In First Out (FIFO rule)