Marine Fuels & Lubricants

Health Safety and Environmental Information

Contents Page No
Introduction 2
General precautions for using marine lubricants 3
General precautions for using marine fuels 4
Skin care when using petroleum products 5
Health precautions when cleaning combustion plant 7
Tank headspace gases 10
Environmental considerations 11
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) - their purpose and contents 13
Glossary of terms used in the MSDS 15
Further information sources 16

Date of Issue July 2004

The BP Group shall not be responsible for any damage or injury resulting from abnormal use or use other than as directed
of the products, from any failure to adhere to recommendations or from any hazards inherent in the nature of the products.
Further advice on use of the products can be obtained from your normal BP contact or:

BP Marine
Chertsey Road
Sunbury on Thames
Middlesex
TW16 7LN
England, UK

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Marine Fuels & Lubricants
Health Safety and Environmental Information

Introduction

Marine fuels and lubricants, when properly used with safe handling procedures and high standards of personal and
industrial hygiene, are unlikely to present risks to health, safety or the environment. However, if good standards are
not maintained, adverse effects can arise. This Information Pack describes the hazards associated with marine fuels
and lubricants, and provides guidance on how to minimise or avoid any potential risks.

Management of shipping companies, and those responsible for fuel and lubricant purchasing, should ensure that
appropriate health, safety and environmental information reaches those who may come into contact with these prod-
ucts. Purchasers should note also that they have a contractual obligation, under BP Marine’s Terms of Sale, to pass on
health, safety, and environmental information which is received from BP Marine to their employees, to fuel and lubri-
cant users, and to their customers.

This section of the Health Safety and Environmental Information Pack contains general advice on the handling and use
of marine fuels and lubricant’s, this general advice is supplemented by more detailed information on specific products
and grades, which is given in the accompanying Material Safety Data Sheets.

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General precautions when using marine lubricants

● Work methods should be devised which minimise contact with all oil products. Adequate washing and laundering
facilities should be available.

● Supplementary controls such as eye protection, gloves, aprons and footwear should all be seen as essential elements
in minimising the health risk associated with oil products. Skin care preparations such as skin cleansers and skin
reconditioning creams, are all-important aids to personal skin care. Their use should be encouraged.

● Engine room and machinery spaces should be well ventilated and those spaces should be kept free from oil
residues by maintaining the highest standards of cleanliness.

● Accidental contact with the eyes may cause transient irritation but no lasting effects. Irritant effects are likely to be
more pronounced with products of low viscosity – use eye protection when using these products.

● To reduce the risk of accidental ingestion (swallowing), marine lubricants must never be stored in small, unlabelled
or incorrectly labelled containers. Accidental ingestion may cause gastro-intestinal discomfort and in some instances
irritation of the mouth and throat. No lasting effects would be expected. The occurrence of vomiting, particularly if it
involves low viscosity products will be serious if it leads to aspiration of oil into the lungs.

● At normal temperatures the volatility of marine lubricants is too low to give rise to harmful levels of vapour. Under
certain conditions however, fumes from hot lubricants may be released into the working environment. Similarly, certain
test or maintenance operations may emit fine mists or sprays of oil. Excessive inhalation of oil fumes or mists may
give rise to irritation of the eyes, nose, throat and lungs and, in extreme cases of gross over exposure, a condition
resembling pneumonia. The concentrations of such mists in the working environment should be kept as low as
possible. (Although specialised equipment is required to measure oil mist concentrations, the presence of a visible
mist, when viewed against background light, indicates that unsafe levels may be present).

● Used engine oils are likely to contain potentially harmful contaminants, which arise from the products of combustion.
For this reason skin contact with used engine lubricants should be avoided.

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General precautions when using marine fuels

● Instruction and training should be given to all those involved in the use and handling of marine fuels to ensure they
understand the potential hazards and are aware of the correct procedures to be followed to minimise risks.

● High standards of equipment maintenance and engine room cleanliness should be followed to minimise exposure;
adequate ventilation of machine spaces must be provided.

● Repeated and prolonged skin exposure to marine fuels may cause harm. Gas oils and other solvents should not be
used for cleaning equipment unless the skin is protected, e.g. by impervious gloves. Gas oil or diesel oil should not
be used for washing oil or grease from the skin. More detailed advice on this subject, is given on pages 5 and 6 of
this Information Pack.

● Special procedures and precautions must be adopted for anyone entering a fuel tank, e.g. for inspection, cleaning or
maintenance, in order to avoid asphyxiation or other hazards arising from build-up of toxic or flammable gas from
fuel or sludge. Such procedures & precautions should include the use of permits and check lists in which the
necessary safeguards are defined, e.g. gas freeing of tanks, tank atmosphere testing, safety harness and lifeline,
safety equipment and stand-by personnel. An appropriate safety code should be consulted for detailed advice. Two
such codes are the “International safety guide for oil tankers and terminals” and the “Code of safe working practice
for merchant seaman”, full details of which are given on pages 16 and 17.

● To reduce the risk of accidental ingestion, marine fuels must never be stored in small unlabelled or incorrectly
labelled containers. Accidental ingestion of the lighter marine fuels may cause vomiting followed by aspiration of
liquid into the lungs, which can cause serious damage or death. For this reason, vomiting must not be induced as a
first aid measure following ingestion of fuels.

● Whenever protective equipment is required, clear instruction must be provided on its correct use, and appropriate
facilities must be made available for cleaning, inspection, maintenance and storage of the equipment.

● The ash from fuel oil combustion can contain irritant, toxic and carcinogenic (cancer-causing) substances. Therefore,
when solid deposits are being removed from the engine or boiler combustion and exhaust spaces, personnel
involved should wear dust respirators, eye protection, gloves and appropriate protective clothing. More detailed
guidance on these aspects is given on pages 7 to 9.

● If fuel has been injected through the skin by contact with high pressure or high velocity fuel sprays, the situation
must be regarded as a serious medical emergency. Medical advice must be obtained immediately, as emergency
surgery may be necessary. Ensure that the medical practitioner is aware of the “Medical Advice” section of the
fuels MSDS.

● Precautions should be taken to eliminate or minimise exposure to oil mists, which might be emitted into the working
environment during certain operations (for example, testing of fuel injection equipment). The concentrations of such
mists in the working environment should be kept as low as possible. (Although specialised equipment is required to
measure oil mist concentrations, the presence of a visible mist, when viewed against background light, indicates
that unsafe levels may be present).

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Skin care when using petroleum products

The most common route of exposure to marine fuels and lubricants for ships’ crews is through skin contact. It is
important that good hygiene practices are followed if the potential adverse health effects from repeated or prolonged
skin contact are to be avoided. This section provides general advice on prevention of occupational skin diseases. The
appropriate BP Marine Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) should be consulted for specific advice on safe handling precautions
and emergency procedures for a particular product.

Healthy skin

The skin is the main barrier protecting the body from harmful substances in the environment and comprises a thin
outer layer (the epidermis) and a thicker inner layer (the dermis which contains sweat glands, hair follicles and blood
vessels). The epidermis consists of a layer of dead cells (cells being the basic structural and functional building blocks
of the body) bound together by natural oils to form an impervious barrier. The natural oils present are important in
retaining water, and their loss (known as de-fatting) can lead to dehydration of the skin, which becomes stiff and
cracks open exposing the underlying living cells to harmful substances or infection.

Effects of mineral oil products on the skin

Frequent or prolonged contact with mineral oil products can cause various skin conditions, which may occur singly or
in combination:

Irritant Contact Dermatitis is inflammation of the skin resulting from contact with an irritant material. Such materials
affect everyone’s skin although the severity of response varies between individuals and between materials. Oils, partic-
ularly those of low viscosity, may be an irritant and defat the skin, leaving it dry and susceptible to dermatitis and infec-
tion. Irritant dermatitis is the most common skin condition caused by frequent or prolonged skin contact with mineral
oil-based products.

Allergic Contact Dermatitis occurs only in individuals who have become allergic (sensitised to particular materials, as
a result of pre-exposure to the chemical). The inflammatory effects on the skin in such cases are the same as in irritant
contact dermatitis except that severe inflammation may be caused by even trivial contact with the material.

In both irritant and allergic contact dermatitis, the skin becomes red, dry and may be itchy. Small watery blisters may
develop and burst, leaving the skin surface dry and flaky and in some cases, skin cracking and/or bleeding may occur.
Dermatitis that develops over a long period can result in skin, which is thickened.

Occupational contact dermatitis commonly occurs on the forearms, backs of hands and between the fingers, but may
affect any areas of skin that have been exposed to the chemical. It can occur at any age although it is more common
in middle age, sometimes after exposure to the same material for twenty years or more. Once contact dermatitis has
developed, the skin does not always return to a normal healthy condition even if all contact with the offending materi-
al(s) is avoided. Prevention of contact dermatitis developing must therefore be the primary consideration.

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Skin care when using petroleum products (Contd.)

Oil Folliculitis (blocking of hair follicles) and or Oil Acne (blocking of sebaceous and / or sweat glands) may develop as
result of prolonged or repeated skin contact with mineral oil products (particularly where oil-soaked clothing has been
allowed to remain in contact with the skin). The first sign is normally the appearance of “blackheads” but individuals
that are more susceptible may suffer from boils or even carbuncles.

Keratosis (skin thickening) or warty growths may develop following frequent and prolonged skin contact with some
lubricants, and fuels (particularly heavy fuel oils), especially if accompanied by poor standards of personal hygiene.
Occassionally, a warty growth may become malignant (cancer). In addition, small growths or malignant ulcers may
develop on otherwise normal skin. These most frequently occur on exposed areas (hands, forearms) but may also
appear on other areas where the skin is habitually chafed by oil impregnated clothing. The skin of the scrotum (skin
covering the testicles) is particularly susceptible and therefore oily rags or tools should never be put into trouser pock-
ets. Work clothes should be changed regularly and changed promptly if they become contaminated.
It is essential to maintain high standards of personal hygiene.

Skin cancers do not appear for many years (usually more than twenty) after exposure first began, and are readily cured
by early medical treatment. Personnel with prolonged occupational exposure to mineral oil based products should be
advised by management to examine themselves regularly (e.g. when bathing).

Handling instructions for materials suspected of being able to cause skin cancer should be followed carefully at all times.
Anyone who develops a warty skin growth or skin sore or ulcer, which does not disappear or heal quickly, (even
though they have not handled petroleum products for many years), should consult a physician.

Prevention of skin contamination

The best way to protect the skin from any harmful effects of oil products is to prevent skin contamination. Personal
protection is less effective than properly engineered containment. If this is not possible, good housekeeping methods
must be adopted that do not allow oil residues to accumulate. Working methods should minimise potential for skin
contact and only disposable “wipes” should be used - workers should never put oily rags or tools into pockets.

Protective clothing: Cotton or polyester / cotton overalls normally provide adequate protection where only intermit-
tent or occasional contact is likely. Where a higher degree of contact is possible, additional impermeable protective
clothing (e.g. gloves, aprons, oil resistant footwear) should be worn as appropriate. Clothes should be changed regular-
ly (immediately if impregnated, including boots) and laundered before re-use. Oil-saturated clothing should not be
allowed to chafe against the skin.

Barrier creams: These may help to prevent grime becoming ingrained into the skin but offer little or no protection
against harmful substances. Petroleum products should be washed off the skin using soap or proprietary skin
cleansers and warm water.

Fuels (e.g. gas oil or kerosene) or solvents (e.g. white spirits) should never be used to clean skin as they themselves
may cause dermatitis if used repeatedly. Workers should be encouraged to wash regularly, particularly before eating
and before, as well as after, using the lavatory. Skin conditioners (moisturising creams) should be used regularly (at
least at the end of each shift), as they help replace natural oils and prevent de-fatting.

Barrier creams and skin conditioning creams should never be put onto unwashed contaminated skin as they may make
the effect of the underlying chemical exposure more severe. It is therefore important that skin is thoroughly washed
before using these products.

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Health precautions when cleaning marine combustion plant

Introduction
All residual fuels contain small amounts of metals such as vanadium and nickel, which are naturally occurring
components of the oil. When the fuel is burned, these metals become concentrated in the fuel oil ash and combustion
deposits. As some of these metals have toxic properties, special care should be taken when removing combustion
deposits during the maintenance of combustion plant. The locations in which such deposits might be found include the
following:

In a motor ship: on the pistons, exhaust valves cylinder heads, turbocharger blades, waste-heat recovery plant, and in
all exhaust ducting.

In a steam ship: on steam tubes, refractory surfaces within the boiler, in exhaust ducting in waste-heat recovery plant.

The nature of the deposits will vary with location ranging from hard fused deposits in the high temperature parts of
engines and boilers through to light fluffy deposits on cooler surfaces. Any cleaning operation, which can lead to more
than brief skin contact with the deposits or which generates airborne dust (for example, scraping or wire-brushing,
grinding or air-blowing) requires special care.

Vanadium and Nickel compounds are the major cause of concern.

The current Occupational Exposure Limits for such materials (set by the UK Health and Safety Executive - Guidance
Note EH40/2002) are:

Vanadium Pentoxide 8-Hour Time Weighted

Average (TWA): 0.05 mg/ m3

Organic Nickel Compounds

1 mg/ m3 (8 Hour TWA)
3 mg/ m3 (15 minute Short Term Exposure Limit, STEL)

The current Maximum Exposure Limits (MEL) for inorganic Nickel (set by the UK Health and Safety Executive -
Guidance Note EH40/2002) are:
Inorganic Nickel Compounds
(soluble) 0.1 mg/ m3 (8 Hour TWA)
(insoluble) 0.5 mg/ m3 (8 Hour TWA).

Occupational exposure standards are updated regularly and the recommended values for particular chemicals may
change from time to time as new data develops. The current Material Safety Data Sheet for each product should
contain the most up to date information on relevant exposure standards.

Exposure to ash or dust in sufficient quantities can lead to irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, and to coughing and
nausea. Once the affected personnel are removed from exposure these symptoms normally disappear within a few
days. If this is not the case, medical advice should be sought. These effects are easily avoided by wearing suitable
personal protective equipment as outlined below.

Exposure to a number of nickel compounds has been linked with the production of lung, nasal and sinus cancer. It is
therefore important that workers who may come into contact with ash deposits from fuel oil combustion are made
aware of these potential risks, and are given training and instruction in the precautions to be taken to eliminate or
minimise them.

In addition, repeated skin contact with some nickel compounds can lead to development of allergic skin reactions in
sensitive people. It is therefore important to avoid skin contact with fuel ash by wearing appropriate protective clothing,
to wash skin thoroughly and to dry-clean and launder protective clothing after contact with fuel oil ash.

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Health precautions when cleaning marine combustion plant (Contd.)

Health precautions
Although as a general principle the control of exposure to harmful dust should be by means other than using personal
protective equipment, this is unlikely to be feasible in many practical shipboard situations. Therefore, whenever expo-
sure to fuel ash or dust is possible, personnel should use appropriate protective equipment (respirators, impervious
coveralls, and gloves). Further details are given below.

In addition to using personal protective equipment, all other practical measures to reduce exposure should be adopted.
These should include the following:

Eating and drinking in the workplace should not be allowed.

Washing facilities should be provided close to the workplace.
Dusts could be damped down, for example using a water spray before handling (Note however, that damping down of
combustion ashes can lead to the production of hydrogen sulphide, a highly toxic gas that can cause rapid loss of con-
sciousness or death. This gas has a “bad egg” smell but at high concentrations, the sense of smell is rapidly lost.
Therefore, sense of smell should not be used for detection. Specially designed measuring equipment (e.g. “Draeger
tubes) or direct reading H2S gas monitors should be used to check that hydrogen sulphide is not present before enter-
ing enclosed spaces where combustion ashes have been damped down).

The current Occupational Exposure Limits for hydrogen sulphide (set by the UK Health and Safety Executive -
Guidance Note EH 40/2002)
Hydrogen Sulphide
5ppm (8 hour Time Weighted Average -TWA)
10ppm (15 minute Short Term Exposure Limit - STEL)

Personal protective equipment

Detailed advice on the selection and use of personal protective equipment may be obtained from documents such as
the “Code of safe working practices for merchant seaman”, full details of which are given on page 16. As noted
above, the following protection is generally likely to be required.

Skin protection
An impervious coverall and hood should be worn. Freshly laundered cotton or polyester/cotton overalls will generally
be sufficiently impervious for protection against fuel oil, ash and dust. Impervious gloves, appropriate to the work
being undertaken, are also recommended.

Eye protection
If there is any possibility of dust entering the eyes, a face visor or goggles should be worn. Safety spectacles do not
provide sufficient protection against dusts.

Inhalation
A suitable respirator, approved for protection against toxic dusts, will almost always be required when combustion
deposits are being removed. Guidance on selection and use of respirators can be obtained from the references included
on page 17. The positive-pressure or high-efficiency types are preferred to general-purpose types, because of their
higher efficiency. It is particularly important to note that simple fabric facemasks are “not suitable substitutes for a
respirator for protection against toxic dusts”.

All personal protective equipment will require regular inspection and maintenance. In addition, equipment will need
proper decontamination and cleaning after use and appropriate facilities for storage will need to be provided. Training
will be required to ensure that equipment is used and maintained correctly.

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Health precautions when cleaning marine combustion plant (Contd.)

Disposal of fuel oil ash

It is recommended that ash should be placed in thick gauge impervious plastic bags (plastic general rubbish bags are
not suitable), “double-bagged” and suitably labelled. Labelling should include a description of the material (e.g. “Fuel
oil ash - contains vanadium, nickel, and other heavy metal oxides”), and a warning that personal protective equipment
be used if there is any possibility of the bags splitting and releasing dust. All deposits when bagged should be further
dampened to minimise future dust release potential and the outside of the bags should be washed down. Bags should
be half-filled and removed immediately from the work area and placed in suitably labelled drums for eventual disposal
in shore-based approved facilities. Appropriate health protection measures should be adopted when handling the bags
bearing in mind the possibility of bags splitting.

Provided that the recommended precautions are followed and suitable personal protection worn, the risk to health of
workers should be minimal. If any health problems develop however, workers should seek medical advice.

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Tank headspace gases

The “General Precautions Section” of this Information Pack, and the individual MSDS’s, highlight the fact that toxic,
and/ or flammable gases can build up in tank headspaces. Furthermore, oxygen levels can become depleted in the
tank headspace.

Clearly, these factors present a serious potential hazard to any crewmember that may have to enter tanks. It is essential
that a suitable safety code (two are listed on pages 16 and 17) be consulted before any tank entry is planned or carried
out, and that the code’s recommendations are strictly adhered to.

Gas or vapour build up in tank headspaces can result in a potentially flammable atmosphere. This has implications not
only for tank entry, but also for the procedures to be observed in other operations such as tank filling, gauging and
sampling.

An Oil Industry Bulletin concerning the reliability of product flash point as an indicator of whether a residual fuel might
generate a flammable atmosphere in storage tanks, and describing appropriate precautionary measures was published
by the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) in 1989. The industries view is that product Flash Point can
give a misleading impression of the true flammability hazard for residual fuels, and that residual fuel oil can generate
flammable headspace gas mixtures even when stored at temperatures below the Flash Point. This bulletin has now
been incorporated into the 4th Edition. of The International Safety Guide For Oil Tankers and Terminals (ISGOTT). A
copy of the relevant section of this guide is included as part of this Information Pack.

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Environmental considerations
BP Marine Limited is an ISO 14001 (environmental management system) accredited company. The Company Goals are:

No accidents, no harm to people and no damage to the environment

The nature of the shipping industry means that many operations take place in ecologically sensitive areas around the
world. In view of this, BP will use best endeavours to protect the environment. This may (and does) result in restrictions
on the way in which we will affect deliveries of both fuels and lubricants. Before any delivery can take place BP will
run through a pre-delivery checklist. The purpose of this is to ensure that all moorings are secure; communications
between the shore (or barge) and ship are fit for purpose; hoses are correctly coupled; all appropriate vents and secondary
inlets for the tanks to be loaded are closed; scupper plugs are in place & pumping rates are agreed. Only when our
operative has agreed all of these with the ships officer responsible for receiving fuels and lubricants will we commence
a delivery.

Accidental spills
Fuels: both residual and distillate marine fuels represent a risk to the marine environment in the event of a spill or
accidental release. Certain components of these fuels are toxic to marine organisms, and may result in
contamination and tainting of commercial food species with the likelihood of consequent commercial losses.
Furthermore because of their composition, fuel hydrocarbons will only slowly biodegrade, with the potential
(particularly in the case of residual fuels) to cause long-term damage to the quality of the marine environment.

Lubricants:although marine lubricant products are generally less toxic to environmental organisms and less persistent
than marine fuels, accidental releases to the environment should nevertheless be avoided, since these materials still
degrade the quality of the natural environment.

Used marine lubricants: these may contain contaminants (products of combustion) that are themselves toxic to
marine organisms and releases/spills should be avoided. Waste oil should be collected for safe disposal onshore.
Please contact your local BP representative for assistance. Unauthorized oil discharges may result in prosecution by
National Agencies.
Tank washing
Waste oil tanks and bilges, etc. should not be purged at sea, as this is widely recognized as a significant source of
marine pollution by oil. Recovery of waste oil and oily water from vessels for safe disposal onshore can usually be
arranged. Please contact your local BP representative for assistance. Unauthorized oil discharges may result in
prosecution by National Agencies.
Emissions
There is growing pressure in several regions of the world to limit exhaust emissions from shipping. These pressures
arise in part from consideration of the adverse effects of these pollutants on the natural environment, (acidification and
eutrophication), and partly from the contribution that these emissions make to local air quality.

Although the early concerns included sulphur oxides, (SOx), and nitrogen oxides, (NOx), there is now a widening of
attention to include particulate matter, (PM), and also carbon dioxide, (CO2), the latter being a greenhouse gas.
Proposed International Maritime Organisation, (IMO) legislation will reduce SOx emissions by either fuel choice, (low
sulphur fuel of 1.5%S in environmentally sensitive areas known as Sulphur Emission Control Areas, SECA), or by use
of approved technology such as sea water scrubbing which is able to remove the SOx from the ship’s exhaust.

BP has pioneered the use of sea water scrubbing technology, known as an EcoSilencer, which is very effective in
reducing SOx emissions by in excess of 90% even when consuming the highest sulphur marine fuel. The co-benefits
of the EcoSilencer is the reductions of NOx emissions and significant reductions of PM emissions.

BP continues to support and pioneer solutions to all marine exhaust emissions through original research and development
and appropriate partnerships.

BP is a co-founder of Shipping Emissions Abatement and Trading, (SEAaT). This unique organisation has the singular
objective to draw together all the stakeholders in the marine industry to promote sustainable and cost effective solutions
to reducing emissions from ship’s exhausts. The organisation provides information and supports all developments in
emissions abatement technologies, the use of emissions trading to ensure efficient emissions reductions, and advises
regulators, operators, NGOs and other interested bodies. More details of SEAaT can be found on www.seaat.org

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Safe disposal of empty drums and pails

Empty containers should not be disposed at sea by throwing them overboard. At many ports around the world there
are facilities for the collection and safe disposal or recycling of used oil containers. Please contact your local BP sales
representative for assistance.

Disposal of fuel oil ash

Waste fuel oil ash should not be disposed at sea, but rather should be safely bagged for disposal on shore. Page 9 of
this Information Pack contains more information on the safe handling and storage of this material.

Deck cargo - carriage of drummed lubricants

BP marine does not advise the carrying of Marine Lubricants as deck cargo if it can be avoided, because of the risk to
life if a drum breaks free or the risk to the environment if a drum leaks after it has been lost overboard.

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The Material Safety Data Sheet: its purpose and contents

Knowing how and where to obtain basic information about health and safety of a product is often the first step to
preventing problems during use. Similarly, the availability of information on the effects of product spillage, or the
disposal of used products, can help to protect the environment.

The BP Marine Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) provides a summary of all relevant health, safety and environmental
information for BP products. It is intended as an aid to safe use, an indicator of any potential hazards and a guide to the
necessary response to any problems arising. It contains first aid advice and procedures for emergency situations, such
as, fire and spillage. Information is also provided on environmental effects and safe disposal. The MSDS is intended for
all persons using or handling the product.

In most cases, the products present little or no adverse health risks when handled correctly, but for any that may present
a potential hazard, (including through foreseeable misuse) the user can take steps to minimise risks by following the
precautions outlined in the MSDS.

The BP Marine MSDS is divided into sections, which provide, in concise form, all relevant health, safety and
environmental information on the product. The information is largely self-explanatory but further details on the content
of a number of sections may be helpful to understand the type of information they contain. These are listed below:

Application
A short description is given of the primary intended use of the product. The product should not be used for any other
purpose or application unless specifically recommended or advised by BP Marine.

Composition and hazards identification

These sections provide a description of the composition of the product and identify any potential hazards associated
with accidental contamination with the product.

Components may be identified by their assigned Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) number or European Inventory of
Existing Commercial Chemical Substances (EINECS) number. It should be noted that the presence of any such
‘hazardous’ components does not necessarily indicate that the finished product will present any hazard. Whether or
not it does, will depend on the concentration of the hazardous component in the product.

Where a product is considered to present a significant safety, health or environmental hazard, the nature of the hazard
is described in this section.

First aid measures and medical advice

This section provides advice on immediate action to take in the event of accidental exposure to the product, or if
adverse health effects are experienced. A separate section may be included to provide advice to medical practitioners
when they are involved in the treatment of a casualty.

Exposure controls and personal protection

Workplace exposure limits, sometimes called Occupational Exposure Limits (OEL) or Threshold Limit Values (TLV), are
provided if they have been established or recommended by a regulatory authority or professional body. These limits
are not dividing lines between ‘safe’ and ‘unsafe’ levels of exposure, but are airborne concentrations that should not
cause significant adverse health effects. Concentrations may be expressed either in terms of short-term exposure
(typically 15 minutes, for the Short Term Exposure Limit or STEL) or longer-term exposure (8 hour OEL or TLV). In
either case, the aim should be to reduce airborne concentrations of the product in the workplace below the limit, as far
as is reasonably practical. Exposure should be calculated as Time Weighted Average (TWA) values over the defined
period.

Where appropriate, this section will also provide advice on appropriate personal protective equipment (clothing,
goggles, etc) to reduce the risk of exposure to the product and/or hazardous components that may be present.

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The Material Safety Data Sheet: its purpose and contents (Contd.)

Physical characteristics
Typical physical characteristics are given which are relevant to the assessment of health, safety and environmental
effects.

Stability and reactivity information

The chemical and physical stability of the product at ambient temperature is indicated, together with conditions and
incompatible materials to be avoided to prevent explosions or reactions that might produce toxic products. A common
concern with oil products is the generation of carbon monoxide and/ or smoke during incomplete combustion.

Toxicological information
The potential hazards to health arising from short and long-term exposure to the product by various routes are indicated,
for example by splashing on the skin or in the eyes, by inhalation of mist or vapour, or by ingestion.

Eye contact: an indication of whether the product alone will be an irritant, or damaging if splashed into the eye.

Skin contact: an indication of the effect of the product on the skin from short term exposure, for example irritation, or
from repeated or prolonged exposure, which may result in allergic sensitisation or more severe skin disorders. In
addition, if there is a possibility that some product may be absorbed through the skin to produce injury to parts of the
body remote from where contact occurs, this would also be indicated. This is known as a systemic toxic effect.

Ingestion: an indication, of whether the product is likely to produce any harmful or toxic effects if swallowed. In
addition, for liquids of low viscosity, a warning will be given regarding possible hazards from aspiration into the lungs.

Inhalation: an indication of the effect of breathing mist, vapour, gas or fumes of the product produced during use.

Ecological information
Advice is provided in this section on any adverse effects of the product if accidentally released into the environment. In
particular, information is included on the toxicity of the product to organisms in the aquatic environment, the likely fate
and persistence of spilled product, and an indication of the ability of the product to be degraded biologically.

Transport and regulatory information

These sections provide details of labelling requirements for transport and supply of the product. Most frequently, the
supply labelling relates to European Union (EU) Directives for the labelling of dangerous substances and preparations.
Other national regulations may be included as appropriate.

The product label indicates the main hazards of the product, for example ‘Highly Flammable’ or ‘Toxic’, and includes a
description of any hazard, along with advice on safety. In certain circumstances where it may be helpful to customers,
BP will voluntarily include additional information on the warning label, even when this not required by law.

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Health Safety and Environmental Information

Glossary of terms used in Material Safety Data Sheets

ACGIH – American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists

Acidification – Damage to sensitive aquatic ecosystems caused by deposition of acid air pollution
(typically due to sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide exhaust emissions)

Acute – Effects that rapidly follow exposure (seconds to hours)

Aspiration – Introduction of liquid in to the lungs

Carcinogen – Any cancer-producing substance

Chronic – Effects from repeated or prolonged exposure (days to years)

CAS – Chemical Abstracts Service

Dermatitis – Non-infective inflammation of the skin

Ecotoxicity – The ability of a material to produce a toxic effect in the environment

EINECS – European Inventory of Existing Commercial Chemical Substances

Eutrophication – Damage to sensitive aquatic ecosystems caused by deposition of nitrogen oxides (from
exhaust emissions), resulting in excess nutrient in the water

Ingestion – Taking by mouth

Inhalation – Breathing vapour, gas or fume into the lungs

Inherently biodegradable – Product will slowly biodegrade if released into the environment (it will not persist)

Irritation – Inflammation caused by short-term, prolonged or repeated contact with a product (skin,
eye or mucous membrane)

Local – Effects occurring at point of contact with material

MEL – Maximum Exposure Limit

Mucous membrane – Lining of the respiratory system, eyes, nose and mouth

OEL – Occupational Exposure Limit

Readily biodegradable – Product will rapidly biodegrade if released into the environment

Respiratory tract – Air passageways including nose, throat, windpipe and lungs

Sensitisation – Development of an allergic state: a sensitised individual will react on subsequent

exposure to even very small amounts of the chemical

STEL – Short Term Exposure Limit

Systemic – Effects occurring in parts of body remote from site of contact

Toxicity – The ability of a material to produce an injury when it has reached a susceptible site on or
within the body

TLV – Threshold Limit Value. Occupational Exposure Limit recommended by American

Conference of Governmental Hygienists (ACGIH). Note TLV is a registered trademark

TWA – Time Weighted Average

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Marine Fuels & Lubricants
Health Safety and Environmental Information

Further information

Further copies of this Information Pack, and any more detailed advice, may be obtained through your normal BP
Marine contact, or from:

BP Marine
Chertsey Road
Sunbury on Thames
Middlesex
TW16 7LN
England, UK

Tel: +44 (0) 1932 774 580

Fax: +44 (0) 1932 764 062

A number of more detailed publications on the subject of health and safety have been prepared by the oil industry
body CONCA WE (Oil Companies European Organisation for Environment and Health Protection). These not only
provide useful background information, but also list further reference material. Relevant reports include:

CONCAWE Report No 87/55 ‘Guidelines for: safe handling of marine fuels’.

CONCAWE Report No 1/97 ‘Petroleum products - First Aid emergency and medical advice’.
CONCAWE Report No 2/85 ‘Health aspects of petroleum fuels - general principles’.
CONCAWE Report No 85/51’Health aspects of petroleum fuels - potential hazards and precautions for individual
classes of fuels’.
CONCA WE Report No 31/82 ‘Precautionary advice on the handling of used engine oils’.
CONCAWE Report No 1/83 ‘Health aspects of lubricants’.
CONCAWE Report No 01/53 ‘Classification and labelling of petroleum substances according to the EU Dangerous
Substances Directive (Concawe recommendations – August 2001)’.
Concawe Report No 00/56 ‘Revised dangerous preparations directive (1999/45/EC) – implications for petroleum products’.
Copies of these reports may be obtained from the CONCAWE office at:
CONCAWE
Boulevard du Souverain 165
B-1160 BRUSSELS
Belgium
Tel: +32 2 566 91 60
Fax: +32 2 566 91 81
www.concawe.be

Reference has been made in several places in the booklet to various safety codes and standards, which include advice
for specific operations of circumstances. Details of the codes referred to are as follows:
Advice on procedures for tank entry, and on the for use of personal protective equipment, is given in
“Code of safe working practices for merchant seamen”, by the UK Department of Transport.
Copies may be purchased from:
The Stationery Office
www.tso.co.uk

Tel No +44 (0) 0870 600 5522

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Marine Fuels & Lubricants
Health Safety and Environmental Information

Further information (Contd.)

Advice on procedures for tank entry is given in:

“International safety guide for oil tankers and terminals”, by the International Chamber of Shipping, the Oil Companies
International Marine Forum and the International Association of Ports and Harbours.

Published by:

Witherby and Co Ltd

32/36 Aylesbury Street
London
EC1R OET
England

Tel No +44 (0) 207 251 5341

www.witherby.com

Advice on selection of suitable respirators is given in:

British Standard BS4275, “Guide to implementing an effective respiratory protective device program.”
Copies may be purchased from:

BSI Customer Services

BSI Standards
389 Chiswick High Road
London
W4 4AL
England

Tel: +44 (0) 208 996 7000

Fax: +44 (0) 208 996 7001

Further information may be obtained from:

HSE Books
PO Box 1999
Sudbury,
CO10 6FS
England

Tel: +44 (0) 1787 881165

Fax: +44 (0) 1787 313995
www.hsebooks.co.uk

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