5. DISPERSION OF GASES AND VAPORS
a. Ventilation from the surrounding area, a Red Devil blower, ram fan air mover, or local
exhaust system may be used to reduce explosive levels, or to disperse or dilute air con-
taminants.
b. Take care when exhausting vapors and gases to the weather decks to prevent re-intro-
ducing them into the ship.
c. The gas free engineering petty officer uses meters and Draeger tubes to check for
ventilation.
6. CLEANUP AND DECONTAMINATION
a. Once the initial phases are complete, the team can take its time cleaning up the spill
and decontaminating the area. Remember that cleanup personnel must be
appointed and supervised as they don the required protective clothing. Protective
clothing is provided in each ship’s spill cleanup kit, kept in or near a repair locker.
Note to the instructor: If your ship has the spill cleanup kit available, breakout the kit and show all the
components to the students. Explain the use of each item.
b. During cleanup and decontamination, one person supervises the cleanup while the
others assist. The DCA, CDO, fire marshal, or scene leader will decide what protec-
tive clothing and respiratory protection is required and instruct the team members
in the cleanup.
7. DISPOSAL OF CONTAMINATED MATERIALS
a. All the spilled material, absorbent, disposable clothing contaminated with the spilled
material, and items which cannot be decontaminated are considered used hazardous
material. These items must be double-bagged in plastic or placed in an empty drum
or barrel and sealed. The material must be labeled with a hazardous chemical label.
The material must then be turned over to the supply department for disposal.
b. You must decontaminate reusable items, such as rubber boots, dustpans, brooms,
and mops before reuse. Place them in a doubled, plastic, labeled bag until you can
accomplish the decontamination. The safety officer or the HM coordinator will help
decide how to safely decontaminate reusable spill equipment.
8. CERTIFICATION FOR SAFE REENTRY
Once the decontamination is completed, the CDO, DCA, or fire marshal inspects the area
to be sure the cleanup is complete. If toxic gases or vapors were involved the area also
may need to be cleared by the gas free engineer.
9. FOLLOW-UP REPORTS
a. The spill response should be logged in the DCC log (Engineering Log) and the ship’s
deck log.
b. The CDO may want a written report to present to the CO or XO. Give a copy of this
memo to the HM coordinator.
c. If there was local press interest, or if the spill caused fatalities or excessive damage, an
OPREP-3 is probably required. Spills, such as oil, mercury, and PCBs have their own
reporting requirements.
Figure 1-1.—Sample lesson plan—Continued.
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