|
|
Hazardous material in ships: can't do without it, so how do we minimize the risks?
- Article from:
-
Fathom
- Article date:
-
October 1, 2003
- Author:
- Tibbs, Terry
|
Copyright informationCOPYRIGHT 2003 U.S. Navy Safety Center. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
The Naval Safety Center originally helped the fleet deal with problems inherent to hazardous materials, since safety surveyors knew about hazmat-associated risks. However, the issue became more complicated by the presence of too much shipboard hazmat and shipboard environmental conditions that made stowing or using hazmat too dangerous. Then, in 1989 the Chief of Naval Operations tasked the Naval Supply Systems Command with responsibility for hazmat control and management and to work with fleet and type commanders when doing so.
NAVSUP's first priority was to reduce the amount of hazmat going to ships. Secondly, it had to identify what such material safely could be used ...