Hazarous Materials

STORAGE AND HANDLING

1. It is very important that all hazardous materials (HM) are properly stored. Store flammables in flammable lockers and acids in acid lockers. Please DO NOT store flammables and acids together. Lockers for stowage are located in the forward science hold and the hazardous materials locker is located on the starboard side just aft of the main lab. When HM's are used in the lab spaces keep the amounts to a minimum. Only break out the amount you will be using and Do Not leave the unused portions laying around. See the marine techs if you're unsure where to store your HM.

2. Keep compressed gas cylinders properly secured in an upright position. Only cylinders in use should be in the labs, others should be properly stored in the outside storage racks.

3. Preservatives are NOT allowed in the Climate Control Chamber or Walk-In Freezer at any time.

4. The only sink that drains directly overboard is in the wet lab. Be careful to dilute waste HM when you pour them down any sink. NEVER pour concentrated acid in a metal sink.
 
 

SAFETY LIBRARY

1. There is a safety library in the Conference Room with references such as emergency response guidelines, procedures manuals, material safety data sheets (MSDSs), etc. Feel free to look through this material but keep it in the safety library.

2. All scientists are required to carry MSDSs for the materials they bring aboard. If you have not provided the proper MSDSs, check our notebooks in the library to see if we have the correct data sheet.
 
 

SAFETY EQUIPMENT AND SPILL STATIONS

1.Be familiar with the location of fire extinguishers, chemical spill stations, eye wash stations located in your immediate work area. If you have a fire or see a fire call the bridge first. If you use chemical spill station supplies be sure to tell a marine tech. All the labs have small spill kits, the main lab has spill pillows as well as a mercury spill kit.

2. All scientists should know the procedures for spill cleanup of the chemicals they have brought onboard. Make sure the proper spill cleaning materials are onboard.
 
 

RECORD KEEPING

1. Each scientist must fill out a "Research Vessel Hazardous Materials Inventory" form with the inventory of all the HMs they bring aboard. HM's include compressed gases, cryogens and just about everything except distilled water. To obtain a inventory sheet Click Here

2. At the end of the cruise, ALL hazardous materials must be removed from the ship and disposed of propoerly. If any material is left onboard or is not disposed of properly there will be charge to the owner of the material for disposal. A minimum fee of $150.00 will be imposed but the total cost could exceed this minimum amount.

CONTAINER DISPOSAL

1. Each scientist is responsible for disposal of the waste they generate.

2. The ship's crew is very good about burning normal plastic and paper garbage. Since the burnable garbage must be loaded into the incinerator by hand DO NOT put razor blades, hypodermic needles, or broken glass in the trash. Also, DO NOT dispose of radioactive containers, aerosol cans, oily rags or other HM waste in the burnable trash containers.

3. Please do your part to ensure these objects are not found in burnable waste containers. Dispose of these items as outlined in the Waste Disposal guidelines.
 
 

RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS

On March 22, 2001 the School of Oceanography, with the assistance of the University of Washington Radiation Safety Office, updated the "Policy and Procedures for Isotope usage Onboard the R/V Thomas G. Thompson." Please print and read these procedures fully to ensure you comply with authorized procedures while onboard. Click Here to view a printable version of the new policy and procedures.

After reading the above procedures, there are a number of forms that are required for application to use RAM, training and experience, usage while onboard and end of cruise finalization. Below is a list of these forms. You can print individual forms or the final link contains all four required forms in one file.

Back to TGT Page

Back to Ships Information Page