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Health and Safety Executive
The safe use and handling of flammable liquids
This is a free-to-download, web-friendly version of HSG140 (First edition, published 1996). This version has been adapted for online use from HSE’s current printed version.
Youcanbuythebookatwww.hsebooks.co.ukandmostgoodbookshops.
ISBN 978 0 7176 0967 3 Price £8.50
This book provides information on the fire and explosion hazards associated with flammable liquids and details practical measures to protect workers. It advises on safe operating procedures and precautions needed to reduce injuries and damage caused by fires and explosions while handling flammable liquids and also gives guidance on appropriate standards for plant and equipment. It is aimed at anyone who works with flammable liquids in the chemical industry and will be of interest to safety specialists and trade organisations.
HSE Books
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Health and Safety Executive
©Firstpublished1996Reprinted1998,1999,2002
ISBN9780717609673
Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthispublicationmaybereproduced,storedinaretrievalsystem,ortransmittedinanyformorbyanymeans(electronic,mechanical,photocopying,recordingorotherwise)withoutthepriorwrittenpermissionofthecopyrightowner.
Applicationsforreproductionshouldbemadeinwritingto:TheOfficeofPublicSectorInformation,InformationPolicyTeam,Kew,Richmond,SurreyTW94DUore-mail:[email protected]
ThisguidanceisissuedbytheHealthandSafetyExecutive.Followingtheguidanceisnotcompulsoryandyouarefreetotakeotheraction.Butifyoudofollowtheguidanceyouwillnormallybedoingenoughtocomplywiththelaw.Healthandsafetyinspectorsseektosecurecompliancewiththelawandmayrefertothisguidanceasillustratinggoodpractice.
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ContentsPreface 5
Introduction 6
Scope 6
Hazards 7
Precautions 9Substitution 9Separation 9Dispensinganddecanting 9Pipework 12Flexiblehoses 14Ancillaryequipment 14Isolation 15Transfersystems 15Processareas 15Source of ignition 19Electricalequipment 20Electrostaticcharging 20Frictionsparks 22Protectionofvehicles 22Spaceheating 22Hotwork 23Coldcutting 23Smoking 24
Ventilation 24
Health Precautions 25
Maintenance 25
Housekeeping 26
Disposal of flammable liquids 27
Information and training 28
General fire precautions 29
Emergency Procedures 30
Appendix 1: Legalrequirements 31
Appendix 2: Fire-resistingstructures 36
Appendix 3: Hazardousareaclassification 38
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Glossary 41
References & further reading 43
Further information 48
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Preface
Thispublicationprovidesinformationonthefireandexplosionhazardsassociatedwithflammableliquids,andsetsoutpracticalmeasurestoprotectpeopleatworkandotherswhomaybeaffectedbyworkactivitiesinvolvingflammableliquids.Theguidanceisaimedatthosedirectlyresponsibleforthesafeuseandhandlingofflammableliquidsinallgeneralworkactivitiesandinsmall-scalechemicalprocessing.Safetyspecialistsandtradeorganisationsorassociationsmaywishtousethisbookasabasisformorespecificguidancefortheirownmembers.
The objectives of this publication are to:
n increasetheawarenessofthepotentialfireandexplosionhazardsassociatedwithflammableliquids;
n adviseonsafeoperatingproceduresandprecautionstoreduceinjuriesanddamagecausedbyfiresandexplosionswhilehandlingflammableliquids;
n giveguidanceonappropriatestandardsforplantandequipment:n adviseontheneedforappropriatefireprecautions,maintenance,trainingand
goodhousekeepingwhereflammableliquidsarehandledorused.
Theguidanceisaimedatthosedirectlyresponsibleforthesafeuseandhandlingofflammableliquidsinallgeneralworkactivitiesandinsmall-scalechemicalprocessing
WhereaBritishStandardisquoted,anyothernationalorinternationalstandardthatprovidesanequivalentlevelofsafetyisacceptable.HarmonisedEuropeanStandardsthatbeartheprefaceBSENmaysupersedesomeBritishStandards,andtheseareequallyacceptablewhenpublished.
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Introduction1 Thisguidancebookgivesadviceonthesafeuseofflammableliquidsingeneralworkactivities,includingbatchorsmallscalechemicalprocessing.Itdoesnotcoverlarge-scalecontinuousprocessingplantinrefineries,chemicalworksandsimilarpremises.Itismainlyconcernedwithfireandexplosionhazards,althoughsomegeneraladviceisgivenonhealthriskswherethismaybehelpful.
2 Thisguidancewillhelpassessmentoftherisksarisingfromtheuseandhandlingofflammableliquids.Assessment,byemployersandtheself-employed,oftheriskstoworkersandotherswhomaybeaffectedbytheiractivitiesisoneoftherequirementsoftheManagementofHealthandSafetyatWorkRegulations19921.Ariskassessmentwillenableemployersandotherstodecideontheappropriatemeasurestotaketofulfiltheirstatutoryobligations.ThispublicationalsoadvisesonhowtocomplywiththerelevantpartsoftheHealthandSafetyatWorketcAct19742atplaceswhereflammableliquidsareusedand,whereapplicable,withtheHighlyFlammableLiquidsandLiquefiedPetroleumGasesRegulations19723andotherrelevantlegislation(seeAppendix1).
3 Legalrequirements,guidanceliteratureandthestandardsreferredtointhisguidancearelistedinthereferencesection.Theyaresubjecttoamendmentfromtimetotime.Theglossaryatthebackofthisbookexplainstheparticulartermsusedinthisguidance.
Scope4 Inthisguidance‘flammableliquid’meansaliquidwithaflashpointof55ºCorbelow.Thisdoesnotincludeliquidswhichwhentestedat55ºCinthemannerdescribedinSchedule2oftheHighlyFlammableLiquidsandLiquefiedPetroleumGasesRegulations19723donotsupportcombustion,andwhichhaveaflashpointequaltoormorethan21ºCandlessthanorequalto55ºC.
5 Thisdefinitionforflammableliquidincludesallliquidsthatareclassifiedasflammable,highlyflammableorextremelyflammableforsupplyaccordingtotheChemicals(HazardInformationandPackagingforSupply)Regulations19944.Thisdefinitionalsoincludeshighlyflammableliquids,petroleumspiritandpetroleummixturesasdefinedintheHighlyFlammableLiquidsandLiquefiedPetroleumGasesRegulations19723,thePetroleum(Consolidation)Act19285,andthePetroleum(Mixtures)Order19296respectively.
6 Theguidanceisalsorelevanttoliquidswithaflashpointabove55ºCwhicharehandledattemperaturesabovetheirflashpoint,astheymayalsopresentafireandexplosionhazard.
7 Moredetailedadviceonthestorage,carriage,loadingandunloading,andsprayingofflammableliquids;onthedispensingofpetrolatfillingstations;andonspecificindustrieswillbefoundindocumentslistedintheFurtherreadingsection.Theadviceinthisbookdoesnotapplytoflammableliquidswhichpresentspecialhazardsrequiringspecificprecautions,egethyleneoxide,peroxides,andotherliquidswhichcarryariskofrapiddecomposition,polymerisationorspontaneouscombustion.
8 Theadviceinthispublicationprovidesasuitablestandardforthedesignofnew
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installationsandformajormodificationstoexistinginstallations.Itmaybedifficulttoadoptalltherecommendationsatexistingpremises,butanyimprovementsthatarereasonablypracticableshouldbemade,takingintoaccountthehazardsatthesiteandthecostandfeasibilityofadditionalprecautions.Thisdocumentdescribesonewayofachievinganadequatestandardofsafety.Individualcircumstances,forbothnewandexistinginstallations,mayrequirevariationsfromtherecommendations,soalternativedesigns,materialsandmethodscanbeused,aslongastheyprovideanequivalentlevelofsafety.Adviceonapplyingtheguidancetospecificsitescanbeobtainedfromtheenforcingauthority.
9 ThehandlingofflammableliquidsandthemanagementofanyreleasedvapourscanhaveenvironmentalconsequencesandmaybesubjecttocontrolsundertheEnvironmentalProtectionAct19907.Althoughthisguidancedoesnotattempttocoverenvironmentalissues,theadviceitcontainsforsafeuseandhandlingofflammableliquidswillgenerallyalsoprovideprotectionfortheenvironment.However,someactivities,suchasreducingvapourlevelsbyventilationtechniques,mayrequireadditionalenvironmentalcontrols;thoseinvolvedintheseactivitiesarealsoadvisedtorefertospecificguidanceonthesecontrolsandonotherenvironmentalissues.FurtherguidanceisavailablefromHMInspectorateofPollutionorfromlocalauthorities,whoenforcetheEnvironmentalProtectionAct.
Hazards10Themainhazardsfromtheuseofflammableliquidsarefireandexplosion,involvingeithertheliquidorthevapourgivenofffromit.Firesorexplosionsarelikelytooccurwhenvapoursorliquidsarereleasedfromacontrolledenvironmenttoareaswheretheremaybeanignitionsource,or,alternatively,whenanignitionsourceisintroducedintoacontrolledenvironment.Commoncausesofsuchincidentsinclude:
n lackofawarenessofthepropertiesofflammableliquids;n operatorerror,duetolackoftraining;n hotworkonorclosetoflammableliquidcontainers;n inadequatedesignofequipment;n inadequateinstallationormaintenance;n failureormalfunctionofequipment;n exposuretoheatfromanearbyfire;n misuseofflammableliquids,forexample,toburnwastematerialsorbrighten
fires;n inadequatecontrolofignitionsources;n electrostaticdischarges;n heatingmaterialsabovetheirauto-ignitiontemperature;n dismantlingordisposingofequipmentcontainingflammableliquids.
Incidentsinvolvingflammableliquidscommonlyariseduringtransferoperations,including:
n movementfromstorage;n decantingordispensing;n movementwithinpremises;n useinprocesses;n disposal;n emptyingvehiclefueltanks;n dealingwithspillages.
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11Combustionofliquidsoccurswhenflammablevapoursreleasedfromthesurfaceoftheliquidignite.Theamountofflammablevapourgivenofffromaliquid,andthereforetheextentofthefireorexplosionhazard,dependslargelyonthetemperatureoftheliquid,itsvolatility,howmuchofthesurfaceareaisexposed,howlongitisexposedfor,andairmovementoverthesurface.Otherphysicalpropertiesoftheliquid,suchasflashpoint,auto-ignitiontemperature,viscosity,lowerexplosionlimitandupperexplosionlimit,givefurtherinformationastohowvapour/airmixturesmaydevelopandalsoonthepotentialhazards.
12Flashpointisthelowesttemperatureatwhichaliquidgivesoffvapourinsufficientconcentrationtoformacombustiblemixturewithairnearthesurfaceoftheliquid.Generally,aliquidwithaflashpointbelowambienttemperaturewillgiveoffavapourthatcanmixwithairandbeignited.Liquidswithaflashpointgreaterthanambienttemperaturearelesslikelytogiveoffflammableconcentrationsofvapoursunlesstheyareheated,mixedwithlowflashpointmaterialsorreleasedunderpressureasamistorspray.However,amaterialbelowitsflashpointcanalsobeignitedwhenspreadoutasathinfilmoveralargeareaofgroundorwhenspilledontoclothing.Theexplosionlimitsdefinetheconcentrations(normallybyvolume)ofvapour/airmixturesatspecifiedtemperaturesthatwillpropagateaflame.Explosionlimitsvarygreatlyfordifferentsubstances,butformanytheyareintherangeof1%to10%.
Figure 1 TheFireTriangle
13Somematerialssuchaswater/solventmixturesoremulsionsonlyreleasevapoursslowly.Thesematerialscanflashduringaflashpointdeterminationandbeassignedaflashpoint,butmaynothavetheabilitytosustaincombustionatthetemperaturesencounteredinnormaluse,thoughthesemaywellbeinexcessofthemeasuredflashpoint.Materialswithaflashpointabove21ºCwhichdonotsupportcombustionwhentestedaccordingtothemethodindicatedinparagraph4arenotnormallyconsideredtobeafirehazard.However,flammablevapoursmaybuildupinenclosedspacesabovetheliquid,andcouldexplodeifignited.
14Theviscosityoftheliquidissignificantasitdetermineshowfaranyspiltmaterialwillspreadandthereforethesizeofanyexposedsurface.Solventsgenerallyhavealowviscosityandwhenspiltspreadquickly,allowingarapidbuild-upofvapoursfromthesurfaceoftheliquid.Someliquidformulations,suchaspaintsandresins,mayhaveahighviscosity;iftheyarespilttheyspreadandproducevapoursmoreslowlythanwouldtheindividualsolventconstituents.
15Aflammablevapour/airmixiseasilyignitedbytheexternalignitionsourcesdiscussedinparagraphs45to62.Eveniftherearenoexternalsourcespresentthemixturemayself-igniteifitisheatedaboveitsauto-ignitiontemperature.Thepropertiesofaflammableliquidshouldthereforebeestablished(forexample,fromtherelevantdatasheet)beforethematerialisused,sothatadequateprecautionscanbetaken.L628containsfurtherguidanceonhowtoprovideinformation.
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16Thephysicalenvironmentinwhichflammableliquidsarehandledisalsoimportantindetermininghowthehazardsmaydevelop.Whetherthereleasedvapourisabletobuilduptoaconcentrationwithinitsflammablerangewilldependontheventilationatthesurfaceoftheliquidandonthepresenceofenclosurestotraporcontainthevapours.Inmanycasesthevapourwillbeheavierthanair,anditwillthereforetendtoaccumulateinlowerareasorindepressionssuchaspits,gulleysanddrains.Bearinmindthatvapourscanspreadawayfromtheliquid;iftheyareignitedtheflamewilltravelor‘flash’backtotheliquid.
17Flammableliquidscanalsoposeahealthhazardiftheyareinhaled,ingestedorcomeintocontactwithskinoreyes.Informationonthehealthhazardsofaparticularliquidandonanyspecificprecautionsrequiredshouldbeobtainedfromthesafetydatasheetorfromthesupplier.TheControlofSubstancesHazardoustoHealthRegulations19949requireemployerstoassesstherisksfromexposuretohazardoussubstancesandtheprecautionsneeded.Paragraphs68and69givefurtherdetailsonhealthprecautions.
PrecautionsSubstitution
18Theuseoflowflashpointliquidsshouldbeavoidedwheneverpossible.Otherliquids,whichareeithernon-flammableorhaveahigherflashpoint,mayprovidesuitablealternatives,buttheymayposearisktohealthortheenvironment.Insuchcasesajudgementshouldbemadewhichtakesintoaccountalltherisksintheparticularcircumstances.Somehalogenatedhydrocarbonsareconsiderednon-flammable,andalthoughintermsoftheirflammablepropertiestheyarenotasdangerousashighflashpointliquids,theycanstillburnorcauseexplosionsinthepresenceofhighenergysourcessuchasaweldingtorch.Thesesolventsaremoreaccuratelydescribedashavingreducedflammabilityratherthanasbeingnon-flammable,andtheyneedtobeconsideredaccordingly.
Separation
19Areaswhereflammableliquidsarehandledshouldnormallybeseparatedfromotherpartsoftheworkroombyfire-resistingpartitions(seeparagraph42andAppendix2).Careisneededtoensurepartitionsdonotrestrictescaperoutesorexits.Wherepartitionswillrequireachangetoexistingescaperoutesorexitstheenforcingauthorityforthegeneralfireprecautions(seeparagraph84)shouldbeconsulted.Areaswhereflammableliquidsareusedshouldalsobefire-separatedfromareaswhereotherflammablematerials,ofanytype,arestored.AdviceonthestorageofdangeroussubstancesingeneraliscontainedinHS(G)7110.AdviceonthestorageofflammableliquidsincontainersisprovidedinHS(G)5111.
Dispensing and decanting
20Dispensinganddecantingshouldbecarriedoutinawaywhichreducesspillsanddangerousreleasesofflammablevapours.Theneedfortheseoperationsshouldbeassessedand,wherepossible,minimisedbytheuseofenclosedtransfersystems(seeparagraphs36and37).Ifanenclosedsystemcannotbeused,thecontainersshouldbedesignedtominimisespillage,releaseofvapourandtheeffectsoffire.Smallsafetycontainersareavailable(seeFigure2)whichincorporatethefollowingfeatures:
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n metalorheavy-dutyplasticconstruction;n pouringand/orfillingaperturessealedwithself-closingspringloadedcaps;n pouringand/orfillingaperturesfittedwithflamearresters;n hosesorotheraidswhendispensingintosmallopenings;n carryinghandlesforcontainerswithacapacitygreaterthanapproximately2.5
litres.Containersshouldbeabletoresistwearandtearinnormaluseandcorrosionbythespecificliquidbeingused.Theyshouldbestrongenoughtowithstandbeingdropped.Plasticcontainersneedtobecompatiblewiththefluidthattheyareintendedtocontain.Theyshouldincorporateanti-staticfeaturessothatanymetalcomponentsinthetransfersystem,suchasflamearrestersorfunnels,cannotbuildupincendiveelectrostaticcharges.Theuseofcontainersapprovedbyarecognisedtestingandapprovalorganisationisrecommended.
Figure 2 Examplesofsafetycontainers
21Open-toppedcansandbucketsarenotsuitableforhandlingorstoringflammableliquidsastheyincreasetheriskofspillageandthereleaseofvapours.Drumsshouldbeprovidedwithsecureclosuresthatcanwithstandtheexpectedhandlingconditionswithoutleaking.Drumswithlargeremovableendsarenotnormallysuitableforflammableliquids.Open-endeddrumsorreceptacleswithfittinglidsorcoversmaybeadequateforviscousliquidssuchaspaints,providedthecontainerisnoteasilytippedover.Drumsandcansshouldalwaysbeopenedsothattheycaneasilybeclosedagain,notbypunchingholesinthecaporinthedrumwall.
22Decantingortransferfromonecontainertoanothershouldnormallybecarriedoutawayfromtheareawheretheliquidisstored,andpreferablyintheopenairorinaseparate,wellventilatedroom,sothatanyspillageandpossiblefirecannotinvolvethestoredmaterials.Whenpouringmanuallyfromorintosmallcontainers,useafunneltominimisespillage.Spilltrays,dripcansorothermeanstocontainspillagesshouldbeprovidedwheredecantingordispensingiscarriedout,andcontainersshouldbebondedtogetherorearthed–seeparagraph48.Alsoconsiderprovidingflamearrestersinthecontainerventtoreduceevaporationandtopreventanexplosioninsidethecontainerincaseofanexternalfire.Whereflammableliquidsareroutinelydispensedfrom210litredrumsthefollowingalternativemethodsarerecommended:
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n Using drum safety taps in conjunction with safety vents Drumtapsshouldbemadeofnon-combustiblematerialandbeself-closing.Safetyventspreventexcesspressureorvacuumbuildingupinsidethedrumandstopanyignitionsourcefromflashingbackintothedrum.Asafetyventalsoreducesthelikelihoodofadrumexplodingifitisengulfedbyfire.Whendispensingintocontainerswithsmallapertures,useafunnelortapsfittedwithsmall-diameterhosestominimisespillage.
n Using small portable drum pumps Pumpsoughttofitcloselyintothedrumtominimisereleaseofvapours,buttheyalsoneedtobeabletorelievepressureintheeventofafire.Flexiblehosesneedtobeelectricallyconducting.Ifanelectricpumpisused,theelectricalequipmentshouldbeconstructedtoasuitableexplosion-protectionstandard-seeparagraph46.
Figure 3 Systemfordecantingfrom210litredrumusingsafetytap
Figure 4 Systemfordecantingfrom210litredrumusinghandpump
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23Allcontainersshouldbelabelledaccordingtotheirpurpose,sothatpeoplewhousethemorcomeintocontactwiththemareawareoftheircontentsandthehazardsassociatedwiththem.FlammableliquidsthatarebeinghandledintheiroriginalcontainerswillalreadybesuitablylabelledinaccordancewiththeChemicals(HazardInformationandPackagingforSupply)Regulations19944.Whereliquidsaretransferredintosecondarycontainersforin-houseuse,thecontainersshouldbelabelledtoindicatetheircontentsandthepossiblehazards.ForflammableliquidsthefirehazardmaybeshownbylabellingconformingtoBS537812orbyareddiamondshowingthefirelogoandthewords‘flammableliquid’.Containersfilledfrombulkstoragetanksorvesselsmaybelabelledinaccordancewiththerequirementsforthosetanksorvessels.TheHighlyFlammableLiquidsandLiquefiedPetroleumGasesRegulations19723requiretanksorvesselsusedforstoringhighlyflammableliquidstobeclearlyandboldlymarked‘highlyflammable’or‘flashpointbelow32ºC’,ortoindicateflammabilityinsomeotherway.Containersthathavebeenemptiedbutnotgasfreedarealsopotentiallydangerousandshouldbehandled,storedandlabelledasiftheywerefull.
24Incertaincircumstancesitmaybeacceptabletotransferflammableliquidsinorneartothestoragefacilities.Thisshouldonlybedoneifanassessmentofthefireriskshasbeencarriedoutandprecautionstakentopreventanyincidentduringdispensingfromescalatingtoinvolvethebulkliquids.Inthesecasesprecautionswouldinclude:
n theexclusionofallignitionsources;n controlandretentionofpossiblespillagestopreventthemspreadingaround
storedmaterials;n controllabletransfersystems;n goodventilation.
Anyadditionalfireprecautionscanalsobetakenintoaccountinassessingthesafetyofaparticulardispensingoperation.
Pipework
25Allpartsofpipingsystems,includingvalvesealsandflangegaskets,shouldbemadefrommaterialcompatiblewiththeliquidsbeinghandled.Theyshouldbeconstructedinaccordancewithanappropriatestandard,forexample,theAmericanNationalStandardsInstituteStandardB31.313withEngineeringEquipmentandMaterialsUsersAssociationSupplement15314.Plasticorothersimilarmaterialsarenormallyonlyusedifthereareparticularreasons,suchasproductpurity,andifanequivalentstandardofconstructioncanbeachieved.Plasticpipes,aswellasbeingmorevulnerabletofire,mayalsocausegreaterelectrostaticproblems–seeparagraphs47to49.Wherepossibleweldedjointsshouldbeusedratherthanflanges,tominimisetheriskofleakage,althoughpipingwithadiameterof50mmorlessmayhavescrewedjoints.Jointsandconnectionsshouldbekepttoaminimumandshouldnotbepositionedwheretheymightleakontoelectricalequipment,hotsurfacesorothersourcesofignition,orwheretheymightpreventtheuseofanescaperoute.
26Pressurefromthermalexpansionofliquidscanbuildupinpipeworkinwhichliquidsmaybetrapped,forexample,betweenshut-offvalves.Preventdamagetopipeworkanddangerousreleasesofflammableliquidsasaresultofover-pressurisationbyassessingthelikelihoodandconsequencesofthermalexpansionanddesigningthesystemtowithstandthepressurerises.Alternatively,fithydrostaticreliefvalves.Reliefvalvesshouldnormallydischargebacktothestoragetank,buttheymayalsodischargeviaalinetoasafeplacesuchasasumporothervesseldesignedfortherecoveryordisposalofflammableliquids.
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27Ideally,piperunsshouldbeintheopenairratherthaninsidebuildings.Pipeworkshouldbesizedandroutedtorestrictthecontentstoaminimum(consistentwithpressure-droprequirements).Itshouldbepositionedorprotectedtominimisetheriskofimpactdamage,particularlyfromvehicles–barriersorbollardsmaybeneeded.Pipeworksupportsneedtobedesignedtosuitthepipinglayoutandtowithstandanyanticipatedvibrationandotherstresses(seeBS3974)15.BSCP171016recommendstheuseofasuitablemarkingsystemtoidentifythecontentsofindividualpiperuns.Markingofpipeworkisparticularlyimportantatfillinganddischargepointsorwherethereislikelytobeconfusionwithotherpipingsystems.Usedifferentfillingnozzledesignsfordifferentmaterialstoavoidconfusion.
28Piperunsinbuildingsshouldnormallybeintheopenandshouldnotpassthroughhazardareassuchasfurnaceorboilerrooms.Theymayneedprotectionfromotherlocalisedhotsurfacesorheatingsystems.Routeingpipeworkthroughductscancauseproblemsindetectionandcontrolofleaks,andcanallowvapourstotravelfromoneareatoanother.Ductsshouldthereforeonlybeusedforpipeworkwhenthereisnosafepracticalalternative.Inthiscasetheductsshouldbeconstructedtoaspecifiedstandardoffire-resistance,providedwithfirestopsatsuitableintervalsandadequatelyventilated.Whereductsorpipespassthroughafire-resistingstructure,anygapsbetweentheductorpipeandthestructureshouldbefire-stopped.Pipeworkshouldnotbeinstalledinductsusedforheatingorventilation.BS831317givesfurtherguidanceonthedesignofducts.
Figure 5 Pipeworkwithmarkingsystemforidentification
29Pipeworkmaybeinstalledunderground,althoughthispresentsdifficultieswithleakprevention,inspectionandrepair.Thepipeworkshouldbelaidinashallowconcreteormasonry-linedtrenchprovidedwithloadbearingcovers.Thedesignofthetrenchshouldpreventwaterormoistureaccumulatingaroundthepipeworkandallowforinspectionofthepipeworkandinparticularanyjoints.Thedesignshouldalsoallowforanyextraloadingimposed,forexample,byvehicles.Donotusethesametrenchforpipingcarryingcorrosiveorreactivematerialssuchas
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oxygenorchlorine.Therouteofthetrenchshouldberecordedandpermanentlymarkedatthesurface.
30Therouteingofelectriccablesinthesametrenchaspipeworkshouldnormallybeavoided,butwherethisisnotpracticablethecablesmustbepreventedfromactingasapossibleignitionsourceforanyvapourswithinthetrench.Assesstheareasinsidethetrenchthatpresenthazardsbecauseofpipeworkjointsorfromotherhazardousareasconnectedtothetrench.SelectandinstallthecablesandassociatedelectricalequipmentaccordingtoBS534518orotherequivalentstandards(iethedraftharmonisedEuropeanCodeofPracticeprEN50154)19.Considersealingthetrenchfromprocessareasorotherhazardousareastolimitthespreadofflammablevapoursinsidethetrenchorintosafeareas.
31Undergroundpipesthatmustbeburiedforsecurityorotherreasonsneedprotectionagainstcorrosion.Buriedpipesshouldbemanufacturedfromstainlesssteelorgalvanisedironcoveredwithaproprietaryanti-corrosionpaintortape.Alternatively,theyshouldbeprovidedwithsecondarycontainment(seealsoparagraph32).Allundergroundjointsshouldbewelded,unlessweldingisinappropriateforcorrosionprotectionorotherreasons.Inthesecasesscrewedconnectionsareacceptable.Flangedjointsareonlyacceptableiftheyaresituatedinamanholechamberwhichhasbeensealedtopreventanyleaksofflammableliquiddrainingintotheground.Buriedpipeworkshouldbeencasedinsulphate-resistingconcrete.Ifitisthickenoughandbeddedproperlyunderthepipeitwillpreventdamagetothepipelinefromanyanticipatedloads.Allburiedpipeworkthatcannotbeinspectedorisnotprovidedwithcontinualleakmonitoringwillrequireregularleaktesting.
32Otherpipeworksystemsmanufacturedfromglass-reinforcedplastic,polypropyleneorotherplasticsandhavingsecondarycontainmentcanbeusedundergroundaslongastheyarecompatiblewiththematerialsbeinghandled.Thesesystemsshouldbeburiedinpeashingleorsandinaccordancewiththemanufacturer’sinstructions.Thespacebetweenthepipeanditssecondarycontainmentshouldbemonitoredforleaks.Again,concreteoverlayorloadbearingcoverswillbeneededtoprovideprotectionfromtrafficorotheradditionalloading.
Flexible hoses
33Flexiblehosesshouldonlybeusedwhererigidpipingisunsuitable,suchasatfillingconnectionsorwherevibrationisaproblem.Hosesshouldbemadetoastandardsuitablefortheapplicationandshouldbecompatiblewiththeliquidshandled.Theyshouldbeadequatelysupported(forexample,byslingsorsaddles)sothatthebendradiusisnotlessthantheminimumrecommendedbythemanufacturer.Whentheyarenotinuse,protectthehosesfromaccidentaldamage,extremesoftemperatureanddirectsunlight.Inspectthemoneachdaytheyareusedforsignsofleaks,wearandmechanicaldamage,andexamineandpressure-testthematleastonceayearaccordingtothemanufacturer’srecommendations.Itisgoodpracticetoprovideblankendsforadditionalsealingofcouplingsthatarefrequentlybrokenandremade.Hosesshouldbeelectricallycontinuousorbridgedwithanearthingcabletoavoidelectrostaticcharging.
Ancillary equipment
34Pumps,motorsandotherequipmentformingpartofapipingsystemshouldbesitedinawell-ventilatedplace,preferablyintheopenair,withweatherprotectionwherenecessary.Suchancillaryequipmentshouldbesituatedoutsideofanybundsforstoragetanks.Smallleaksfrompumpsneedtobecontainedbyalow
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sillordrainedtoasafeplace.Wherenaturalventilationisinadequate,forexampleinundergroundpumprooms,mechanicalventilationshouldbeprovided(seeparagraphs63to67).Interlocksshouldbefittedsothatthepumpscannotbeoperatedunlesstheventilationisworkingsatisfactorily.Ifthenon-operationofapumpcouldcauseagreaterhazardthanalackofventilationinthepumproom,aclearlyaudiblealarmshouldbelinkedtotheventilationsystem.
Isolation
35Thereshouldbesuitablevalveswithinthepipeworksystemforisolatingthesupplyafteruse,duringmaintenanceandintheeventofanemergency.Considerprovidingshut-offvalvesinthefollowinglocations:
n attheexternalsupplypoint;n externallyatthepointofentryintothebuilding;n atthebeginningofeachbranchfromamainsupplyline;n neareachworkpositionoritemofplantsuppliedbytheline,wherethat
positionismorethan10mfromavalveprovidedtocomplywiththelastbulletpoint;
n wherepipeworkpassesthroughaninternalwall,partitionorfloor.Allvalvesshouldbeclearlymarkedanddesignedtoachievearapidshut-downofflow.Valvesmaybemanualorautomatic,butautomaticvalvesshouldbeinstalledtobefail-safe.
Transfer systems
36Flammableliquidsshouldideallybehandledinenclosedsystems,usingpipework,pumpsandclosedvessels.Theequipmentshouldbesuitablefortheliquidsbeinghandled,and,whereappropriate,shouldbedesignedandinstalledtoasuitableBritishStandardorequivalent.Whereliquidsaretransferredbygaspressure,nitrogenoranotherinertgas,orvacuummaybeused.Donotusecompressedairasitcancreateanexplosivevapour/airmixtureinsidethetransfervessel.Thegasshouldbecontrolledtothelowestpracticablepressurewithinthesystem.Meansforrapidisolationofthepressuresourceandventingofthepipelineorpressuresourcetoasafeplaceshouldbeprovided.Itisnotadvisabletofilloremptyportablecontainersbygaspressureasitisdifficulttocontroltheflowadequatelyandthereisariskofpressurisingthecontainer,causingittoruptureviolently.Gravityflowisalsodifficulttocontrol,exceptwithcansorsmalldrums.Avoiditunlesssuitableadditionalsafeguardsareprovided,suchasautomaticorremotely-operatedshut-offvalves.
Process areas
37Designandoperateprocessareastominimiserisks:usingpipeworksystemsandclosedvesselsratherthanhandlingliquidsincontainersandopentankswillrestricttheamountofliquidopentotheairandreducetherisksfromreleasedvapours.Liquidsshouldnotbeheatedabovetherequiredworkingtemperature,astheamountofvapourproducedincreasesasthetemperaturerises.
38Fillinglinesshouldendasnearaspossibletothebottomofthevessel,tominimisethefreefallofliquidandthegenerationofstaticelectricity–seeparagraph49.Thelineshouldbedesignedtopreventanysyphoningfromthefilledvessel.Fittingautomaticpreventiondeviceswillreducethelikelihoodofoverfilling
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vesselswithflammableliquids,particularlyifthepersoncontrollingthefillingoperationisatsomedistancefromthevessel.Thesedevicesmaytaketheformof:n anoverflow;n apre-setmeter;n afixedvolumebatchtank;n oraleveldetectorlinkedtoapumporvalve.
Whereahigh-levelalarmsystemisfitteditshouldbetriggeredatoneleveltoalerttheoperatortoshutoffthevalveorpump,andatasecondleveltoshutitoffautomaticallyiftheoperatortakesnoaction.Beforeinstallingautomaticshut-offvalves,assesswhethershockloadingwithinthesupplylinecouldresultinanyhazards.Processvesselsorareasneedameansofcontainingspillages,suchasabundorretainingsill.Thedrainsfrombundedareasshouldnotfeeddirectlyintothepublicsystem.
39Ventpipesshouldnormallybeprovidedonprocessplant.Thesewillpreventflammableandtoxicvapoursreleasedduringfillingandprocessingfromaccumulatinginworkareasanddirectthemawayfromplantoperatorsandpossibleignitionsources.Ventpipesshouldterminateoutsidebuildings,wellawayfrompossibleignitionsources,sothatanyvapourscanberapidlydispersedandnotre-enterthesourcebuildingorotherbuildings.Ideally,ventpipesshoulddischargeverticallyupwards,buthorizontaldischargemaybeacceptable.Theventpipeshouldnormallyfinishatleast5mabovegroundlevel;3mfrombuildingopenings,boundariesandsourcesofignition;andawayfrombuildingeavesandotherobstructions.Thesedistancesmay,however,varyaccordingtothesitelayout.
40Theremayalsobeenvironmentalrestrictionsonthepositioningofventsandexhaustducts(seeparagraph65)–refertoProcessGuidanceNotesissuedundertheEnvironmentalProtectionAct(EPA)7.Inparticular,ProcessGuidanceNotesissuedunderEPAmayrequireventpipesfromcertainprocessestoterminateatleast3maboverooflevel.Ventpipesshouldbebigenoughtopreventover-pressurisationoftheplantfrommaterialadditionsandotherprocessoperations.Theventpipesmayalsohavetobedesignedtotakeintoaccountanyexothermicreactions,butthisrequirementisoutsidethescopeofthiscurrentguidancebook.Forsmallopenprocessvesselswherematerialsareaddedmanually,localexhaustventilationmaybemoresuitablethanfixedventpipes.
41Onvesselscontainingliquidswithaflashpointof21ºCorbelow,orforotherliquidsprocessedabovetheirflashpoint,theventoutletshouldbefittedwithaflamearrester,unlessapressure-vacuumvalveisusedorunlesstheliquidisliabletopolymeriseorotherwiseblockthearrester.FlamearrestersshouldbedesignedtoBS724420,andmaintainedtopreventblockagebypaint,rustorothermaterials.
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Figure 6 Diagramillustratingsystemsinaworkareahandlingflammableliquids
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Figure 7 Examplesofspecialpurposecontainersforflammableliquids
Figure 8 Ventilated‘wetbench’
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42Operationssuchasmixing,filling,coatingandcleaningshouldbedoneinaroomorcabinetsetasideforthepurpose.Wherevapourmayentertheatmosphereduringanyoperation,adequatenaturalormechanicalventilationshouldbeprovidedtoremoveit.Theventilationsourceshouldbeasclosetothevapoursourceaspossible–seeparagraphs63to67.Iftheconcentrationofvapourisliabletoexceedthelowerflammablelimit,theprocesswillneedtobeenclosedinafire-resisting,mechanicallyventilatedstructure.Ifthisisnotpossible,theworkroomitselfshouldbeafire-resistingstructure(seeAppendix2)andbemechanicallyventilated.Figure6showsanexampleofasuitableworkarea.Specificadviceonsmall-scalepaintmixingsystemsinmotorbodyrepairandre-finishingiscontainedinHS(G)6721.
43Takecarewhenusingflammableliquidsforcleaningmachinery,equipmentorarticles,particularlybymanualmethods.Theuseofopentanksofvolatileliquidsfordippingcomponents,etc,shouldbeavoided.Ifitcannotbeavoided,usespecialsafetyrinse/dip/benchcans.Thesecansarenormallyfittedwithaflamearresterand/orself-closinglids.Itispreferabletousenon-flammableliquids,orliquidswithahighflashpoint.Carryoutthecleaningoperationinawellventilatedareaorcabinetandapplytheliquidinsmallquantities.Figure8showsanexampleofaventilated‘wetbench’suitableforcleaningandotheroperationsinvolvingthemanualapplicationofsolvents.Largecomponentsshouldbecleanedinspeciallydesignedcleaningstations.Itisadvisabletoapplythefluidusingapumpproducingagentlenon-jettingorsprayingstreamofliquid,withflowratesaslowaspossible.Avoidusingheatedsolventsorjettingtechniquesunlesstheproposedcleaningtemperatureandequipmenthavebeenshownnottopresentariskoffireorexplosionwithaparticularsolvent.
44Keepnomorethantheminimumamountofflammableliquidinworkrooms,usuallynomorethanahalf-day’soroneshift’ssupply.Containersofflammableliquidneededforcurrentworkshouldbekeptclosedwhennotinuse.Theyshouldbekeptinsuitablecabinetsorbinsindesignatedareasawayfromtheimmediateprocessingarea.Containerswhicharenominallyemptyorarenotneededforcurrentworkshouldbereturnedtotheappropriatestore(seeHS(G)5111forfurtheradviceoncabinets,binsandstores).Containersattheworkplaceshould:n beassmallaspracticable;n provideresistancetoimpactdamage;n beabletowithstanddamageandwearinnormaluse;n resistchemicalattackbytheircontents.
Proprietarysafetycontainersarerecommended(seeparagraph20).Usesuitablecradles,trolleysorpoweredhandlingequipmentforhandlingdrumsandotherlargecontainerstominimisetheriskofspillagesandinjurytoworkers.Duringtransportcontainersshouldbesecurelyclosedandwherenecessarysecuredsothattheycannotfalloff.Onlyauthorisedroutesshouldbeusedwhentransportingthecontainers.
Sources of ignition45Sourcesofignitionshouldnormallybeexcludedfromareaswhereflammableliquidsarehandled.Commonsourcesofignitionare:
n nakedflames,includingweldingandcuttingequipment;n smoking;
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n electricallighting,powercircuitsandequipmentwhicharenotflameprooforintrinsicallysafeinconstruction;
n processesandvehiclesthatinvolvefrictionorthegenerationofsparks;n hotsurfaces;n staticelectricity.
Electrical equipment
46Areaswhereelectricalequipmentisinstalledandwhereflammablevapourmaybepresentcanbeclassifiedintohazardouszones–seeAppendix3.Areasoutsidethesezonesareclassifiedasnon-hazardous.Wherepossibleelectricalequipmentshouldbelocatedinnon-hazardousareas.TheElectricityatWorkRegulations198922requireelectricalequipmentwhichmaybeexposedtoanyflammablesubstancetobeconstructedorprotectedtopreventdangerarisingfromsuchexposure.TocomplywiththeseRegulationsandtopreventflammablevapoursigniting,anyelectricalequipmentinstalledorintroducedintohazardousareasshouldbeconstructedtoasuitableexplosion-protectedequipmentstandard(thatis,anappropriateBritishStandardorequivalent).Adviceonselecting,installingandmaintainingexplosion-protectedelectricalequipmentisgiveninBS534518andinashortguidepublishedbytheInstitutionofChemicalEngineers23.Selectingthecorrectandsafeelectricalequipmententails:
n identifyingthecorrecthazardouszone;n establishingtheappropriategasgroupfortheflammableliquidsinvolved;n confirmingthemaximumsurfacetemperature(‘T’number)ofallelectrical
components.
Electrostatic charging
47Precautionsshouldbetakentopreventvapoursbeingignitedbythedischargeofstaticelectricity.Themovementofprocessliquids,forexample,duringpumping,emptying,fillingandspraying,cancauseelectrostaticbuild-up.Movementofothermaterials,suchaspowdersoraprintingweb,orcleaningoperations,canalsocreateelectrostatichazards.Non-conductingfootwearandclothingmadeofsyntheticfibrescancauseincendiveelectrostaticsparks,especiallyiftheyareworninareaswithnon-conductingfloors.
48Toprotectagainstelectrostaticbuild-upallmetal(orotherconducting)componentsmustbeadequatelyearthedbeforeanyliquidflowbegins.Allfixedequipmentusedtohandleflammableliquidsshouldbeelectricallybondedtogetherandadequatelyearthed.Checkearthcontinuityregularly(atleastannually-seeBS7430)24.Earthingcontactsshouldbemaintainedandkeptclean.Portablecontainersshouldalsobeearthedbeforeusewithbondingclipsconnectedbyawiretothefixedearthedplantorbysomeotherequallyeffectivemethod.Bearinmindanyunearthedmetalcomponentsintransfersystems,suchasinvalves,dispenserheadsorsectionsofpiping:thesemayneedadditionalearthingstraps.Otherunearthedcomponentsmaynotbesoobvious,ormayresultfrompoormaintenance.Ifuninsulatedwirereinforcement,indamagedpipelagging,forexample,isleftexposeditmaybuildupelectrostaticchargesifitissubjectedtosteamfromleakingjoints.Ifhosesareused,theyshouldbeelectricallycontinuousandbondedtobothpartsoftheplant.
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Figure 9 Photographshowingcopperbondingonglasspipework,courtesyoftheInstituteofChemicalEngineers(reproducedfromthetrainingpackageoncontrollingelectrostatichazards).
49Staticelectricitygeneratedbyflammableliquidsshouldbereducedbyavoidingthefreefallofliquidsandrestrictingpumpingspeeds.Forliquidswithconductivityuptoandincluding50pS/m(picoSiemens/metre)theflowvelocityinapipewhereasecondphasemaybepresent(asecondphasecouldbeagasorasolid,oranimmiscibleliquidsuchaswater)shouldnotexceed1m/s.Watermaybepresentevenifithasnotbeendeliberatelyintroduced(forexample,condensate)andsoaflowvelocityabove1m/sshouldonlybeconsideredifthisisnotapossibility.BS595825offersfurtheradviceforhighervelocities.Splashfillingofcontainersandprocessvesselsshouldbeavoided.Anti-staticadditivescanbeusedtoincreasetheconductivityofflammableliquidswithaconductivitylessthan50pS/m.
50Takeparticularcarewhenaddingdrypowderstovesselscontainingflammableliquids.Themovementofdrypowdersandothersolidsoverinsulatedmaterialssuchasplasticscanquicklycauseincendiveelectrostaticsparks.Drypowdersshouldnotbeaddedtoprocessvesselscontainingflammablevapoursusingplasticscoopsorplasticchutes,norshouldtheybedischargedfromplasticbags:ifthevapoursignite,flameswillbeemittedfromthevesselmanholedirectlyontoworkers.Considerremovingworkersfromvulnerablepositionsandadoptingthefollowingmeasurestoreducethepossibilityofbuild-upofstaticand/orpreventingtheoccurrenceofflammableatmospheres:
n mechanicaltransfersystems;n double-valvedhoppersystems;n useofconductingplasticlinerwithdrumearthingcliporwithgoodearthingof
operator;n airlockandnitrogenpurging;n chargingsolidsbeforesolventaddition(checkvapoursfromprevioususe);n wetorslurrysolidbeforeaddition;n additionofsolventswithahighconductivitybeforeoneswithalowconductivity
ifbotharetobepresent.
51Additionalprecautionsincludetheuseofanti-staticfootwear(toBS514526andBS719327),andanti-staticclothingandfloors.BS595825givesgeneraladviceonthecontrolofstaticelectricityandthedeterminationofelectrostaticproperties.
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Figure 10 Operatorchargingreactor–noteearthcliponmanhole,earthedmetalstandingplateandantistaticfootwear,courtesyoftheInstituteofChemicalEngineers(reproducedfromthetrainingpackageoncontrollingelectrostatichazards).
Friction sparks
52Flammablevapourmaybeignitedbyfrictionsparks.Thesecanbegeneratedbytools(hand-operatedorpower-driven),orbyoperationsinvolvingrubbingorimpact.Specialtoolsmadeofnickel-aluminiumbronzeorsimilaralloysmayreducesparking,butpiecesofgritortrampmetalbecomingembeddedinworkingsurfacescanpresentproblems.Spark-resistanttoolsneedtobeinspectedregularlyandthesurfacesre-dressedasnecessary.Theuseofsuchtoolsisgoodpractice,butdonotrelyonthemaloneinareaswhereflammablevapourmayoccur:asfaraspossible,removeflammableliquids,residuesandvapourbeforecarryingoutoperationsthatmaycauseaspark.
53Lightalloyssuchasaluminiumcancausesparkingwhenstruckaglancingblowonrustysteelwork.Asmearofsuchanalloyonarustysurfacecanalsocreateaveryhotsparkifstruckbyanotherpieceofsteel,forexample,ahammer.Identifywheresuchmetalsareinuse,sothatprocedurescanbecontrolledinareaswhereflammablematerialsmaybepresentandwherethereisariskofimpact.Aluminiumpowdersinpaintscancausesimilarproblems,andtheiruseinareaswhereflammablematerialsarepresentshouldalsobecontrolled.
Protection of vehicles
54Lifttrucksandsimilarvehiclesworkinginareaswhereflammablevapourmaybepresentshouldbeprotectedtoanappropriatestandard.Whereonlyliquidswithaflashpointabove32ºCarepresent,vehicleprotectionisnotneeded,aslongastheliquidsarenotheatedabovetheirflashpoint,eitherdirectlyorindirectly,norlikelytobereleasedasamistorspray.GuidanceNotePM5828providesfurtheradviceontheuseandprotectionofvehicles.
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Space heating
55Workroomsinwhichflammableliquidsarehandledshouldpreferablybeheatedbyindirectmeans,forexample,radiatorsfedbyhotwaterpipes.Wherehotwaterradiatorscannotbeused,electricallyheatedradiatorsmaybeused,providingtheyhavebeenselectedaccordingto,andcomplywith,BS534518.Donotuseheatingwhichcouldbeasourceofignition.Thetemperatureofexposedsurfacesshouldnotexceedtheauto-ignitiontemperatureofanyoftheflammableliquidsinuse.Inallcasesheatingsystemsshouldbeprotectedagainstthebuild-upofflammableresiduesonhotsurfaces.DonotuseportableheatersunlesstheycomplywithBS534518.Combustionairforfuelfiredheatersshouldnotbedrawnfromareaswhichcouldcontainflammablevapours.
Hot work
56Amajorcauseofincidentsishotwork(welding,cuttingorsimilaroperations)carriedoutonvesselscontainingflammablevapourorliquidresidues.Hotworkshouldonlybedoneundercontrolledconditionsusingapermit-to-worksystem.Thiswillincludefollowingsiterulesandinstructions,andoperatingonlywhenauthorisedbyaresponsibleperson.Hotworkmustnotbecarriedoutonanitemthatcontainsorhascontainedflammableliquidorvapouruntiltheitemismadesafe.
57Beforehotworkiscarriedout,drainoffanyflammableliquid.Gasfreethevessel,andthoroughlycleanandinspectittoensureallresidueshavebeenremoved.Gasfreeingaloneisnotenough,asresiduesofheavymaterialsmaygiveoffflammablevapourswhenheated,andapparently‘empty’containersorvesselsmaycontainsmallamountsofunseenliquidsatthebottomorincrevicesandseams.Analternativetechniqueistoinertthevesselbyfillingitwithwater,nitrogenfoamornitrogen.Takegreatcarethroughouttheoperationtoensurethatnovoidscontainingflammablevapourscanoccurinthevessel.
58Acompetentpersonshouldmonitortheatmospherewithasuitablegasdetectoraspartoftheoveralloperation,toshowthevesselissafeforhotwork.Carryoutthismonitoringasproofofgasfreeing,andalso,whenusinggasinertingtechniques,bothbeforeandduringthehotworkoperation.Ifwaterisused,preventpressurebuildingupbyprovidingaventforsteam.Whereverpossibletheitemshouldbetakentotheworkshoporasimilarsafearea,forboththecleaning/inertingoperationandthehotwork.GuidanceNoteCS1529,andtheOilIndustryAdvisoryCommitteedocumentonpermit-to-workprocedures30givefurtheradviceonpreparingplantforhotwork,andontheuseofpermits.
Cold cutting
59Considerusing‘coldcutting’techniquesasanalternativetohotwork,particularlyduringdemolitionwork,astheycansignificantlyreducetheriskoffiresandexplosions.Coldcuttingmethodsincludeusing:n hydraulicorpneumaticpoweredcutters,nibblers,drillsandsaws;n pneumaticchisels;n highpressurewaterjetting.
Withsomecoldcuttingtechniquesthetemperatureandthepossibilityofsparkscanbefurtherreducedbyapplyingwaterorothernon-flammableliquidsatthecuttingedge.Thesemethodsmaynotcompletelyremovetheriskofignitionas,for
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example,pneumaticchiselscancreatefrictionsparksandwaterjettingmaybuildupanelectrostaticchargeundercertaincircumstances.
60Beforeusingcoldcuttingmethods,therefore,considertheprecautionsdiscussedinparagraph57tocontroltheformationofflammableatmospheresaswellastheignitionenergiesofanyflammableliquidvapoursorsolidresidues.Coldcuttingreducesthefrequencyandstrengthofpossibleignitionsourcesandtheevaporationofanyremainingflammablematerialsthatarecontaminatingtheplant.Inparticularitpreventsflammableatmospheresformingfromhighflashpointliquids,includingthosewithaflashpointabove55ºC.Thesehavebeenknowntocauseseriousaccidentsasaresultoftherapidvaporisationoftheliquidduringhotworkwithanoxyacetyleneflame.
61Othercuttingmethodsusinggrindersordisccutters,althoughnotstrictlyclassifiedashotwork,stillproduceasignificantnumberofsparksthatcaneasilyigniteflammablevapours.Grindersanddisccuttersshouldthereforeonlybeusedonplantthathascontainedflammablematerialsaftercarefullyassessingthehazardsandtherequiredprecautions.
Smoking
62Donotallowsmokinginplaceswhereflammableliquidsarehandled.Noticesprohibitingsmokingandnakedlightsshouldbeclearlydisplayedintheseareas.ItisrecommendedthatsignscomplywithBS537812.Anyareasetasideforsmokingshouldbelocatedinasafeplace,andclearlydefinedandsignposted.Provideadequatereceptacles(preferablysand-filled)sothatpeoplecandisposeoftheirsmokingmaterialssafelybeforetheyenterno-smokingareas.
Ventilation63Allareaswhereflammableliquidsarehandledshouldbeadequatelyventilatedtodiluteanyreleasedvapourstoasafelevel.Theventilationsystemneedstobecapableofprovidingatleastsixcompleteairchangesperhour.Whateveritscapacityitshouldensurethattheamountofvapourinanyworkareaisnotonlydilutedtowellbelowitsflammablelimit,butalsoreducedtoalevelbelowtherelevantoccupationalexposurelimit.(GuidancenoteEH4031givesadviceonoccupationalexposurelimits.)Insomecasesgoodnaturalventilationpositionedpredominantlyatlowlevelplussomeathighlevelmaybeenough,butinothersmechanicalventilationand/orlocalexhaustventilationwillbeneeded.
64Whereaboothorcabinetisneededtocontrolvapour,theairflowrateintoallopeningsintheenclosureshouldbeabout1m/stopreventvapoursenteringtheworkarea.Theventilationtobooths,cabinetsandotherenclosedequipmentshouldnormallybedesignedtomaintainthevapoursatbelow25%oftheirLowerExplosionLimit(LEL).SeparateguidanceonsprayingflammableliquidsisprovidedinGuidanceNoteEH932,andonovensandsimilarheatedenclosurescontainingflammablevapoursinHS(G)1633.Materialsthatmaypresenthealthriskswillrequireahigherstandardofventilationandadditionalprecautions(seeparagraph68).
65Ventilationsystemsshouldexhausttoasafeplaceintheopenair,atleast3mabovegroundlevel,atleast3mfrombuildingopenings,boundariesandsourcesofignition;andawayfrombuildingeavesandotherobstructions.Ventductsshouldbearrangedsothatvapourscannotcondenseandcollectatlowpointswithintheducts.Additionalrequirementsforpositioningexhaustsfromventilationsystems
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mayalsobefoundinProcessGuidanceNotesissuedundertheEnvironmentalProtectionAct7(seeparagraph40).
66Electricmotorsusedinventilationductingshouldnotbesituatedinthepathofthevapourbeingextracted.Centrifugalorbifurcatedfanscanbeused,oramotorsituatedinasafeareacanbeconnectedtoafanbyabeltdrive.Fansmadefromnon-sparkingmaterialsprovideanadditionalprecautionagainstfrictionsparks.Theductworkitselfshouldbefire-resisting–seeAppendix2.
67Wherethefailureofanextractionsystemwouldentailaflammableconcentrationofvapourintheplantoranescapeoftoxicvapour,fitanairflowdetectorintheducting(suchasadifferentialpressureswitch)linkedtoanalarm.Whereitisreasonablypracticable,thedetectorshouldalsobeinterlockedwiththevapour-producingprocess.
Health precautions68Manyoftherecommendationsintheprecedingparagraphswill,iftheyareproperlyimplemented,controlhealthrisksaswellasthefirehazardofflammableliquids.However,additionalprecautionsmaybeneeded,inordertocomplywiththeControlofSubstancesHazardoustoHealthRegulations19949.GuidanceontheseRegulationsisintheApprovedCodesofPracticeentitledGeneral COSHH ACoP, Carcinogens ACoP and Biological agents ACoP:Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 199434.
69Detailedconsiderationoftheseaspectsisbeyondthescopeofthisguidance,buttheprinciplesofenclosureventilationandmaintenanceofequipmentapplygenerally.Theaimshouldalwaysbetopreventexposuretoliquidsortheirvapours,forexample,bysubstitutionwherepossible,ortocontroladequatelyanyinevitablerelease.Provideprecautionsagainstskinandeyecontact,suchasgloves,protectiveclothingandgoggleswhereitisnotpossibletocontrolthereleaseatsource.Considermakingavailableeyewashandemergencydecontamination/delugeshowers.
Maintenance70Manyincidentsinvolvingflammableliquidsoccurduringmaintenanceandrepairs,whenpipelinesareopenedup,vesselsareentered,hotworkiscarriedout,orplantandbuildingsaremodified.Therisksincreaseiftheworkisdonebystafforoutsidecontractorswithlittleknowledgeoftheplantorofthehazardsassociatedwithflammableliquids.Onlyemployexperiencedcontractors,andensurethattheybecomefamiliarwiththeplantbeforestartingwork.TheHealthandSafetyatWorketcAct19742placesdutiestoensuresafeworkingpracticesonboththecompanyusingtheservicesandthecontractor.
71Itisessentialthatnomaintenanceworkisdoneuntil:
n thepotentialhazardsoftheworkhavebeenclearlyidentifiedandassessed;n theprecautionsneededhavebeenspecifiedindetail;n thenecessarysafetyequipmenthasbeenprovided;n adequateandclearinstructionhasbeengiventoallthoseconcerned.
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Whenappropriate,apermit-to-worksystemshouldbeusedtocontrolmaintenanceoperations.FurtheradviceonpreventingaccidentsduringmaintenanceiscontainedinHSE’spublicationDangerous maintenance – a study of maintenance accidents and how to prevent them35.
72Asfaraspossibleallflammableorcombustiblematerialsshouldberemovedfromtheworkarea.Isolatevesselsandpipeworkfromallsourcesofliquidorvapour,drainand,wherenecessary,flushthem.Donotrelyonvalvesforisolationotherthanforinitialisolationastheymayleakorbeopenedinadvertently.Makeadetailedstudyoftheplantlayoutandthemaintenanceworkinvolved,andensureisolationbyfittingspadepieces,orbyremovingpipesectionsandblankingofftheopenends,asappropriate.Takeextracarewhereorificeplatesarefittedtoreduceliquidflowasthesemaybeconfusedwithspadepieces.Seealsoparagraph57,onpreparationforhotwork.
Housekeeping 73Housekeepingisfundamentaltosafety,somaintainagoodstandardatalltimes.Dealwithspillsandleakspromptly,using,forexample,inertabsorbentmaterialwhichcanbescoopedupintoametalcontainerforremoval.Containlargespillagesasfaraspossible,evacuatetheareaandpostwarningnotices.Openexternaldoorsandwindowstoimproveventilation.Additionalprecautionsmaybeneededtopreventspillsenteringthedrains,unlessthedrainsthemselvesarefittedwithaninterceptorsystem.Onlyuseelectricalequipmentsuchasfansandportablepumpsifithasbeenconstructedtoasuitableexplosion-protectionequipmentstandard.Donotoperateelectricalswitchesunlesstheyaresimilarlyprotected.
74Takecarewhendealingwithspillagesnottoallowworkersortheirclothingtocomeintodirectcontactwiththeflammableliquid.Thiswouldexposethemtoaseriousfirerisk.ForsomespillsitmaybeadvisabletocalltheFireBrigadeasaprecaution,orsothattheycanprovideassistanceindealingwiththespill.Aspartoftheemergencyplanningprocedures(seeparagraph89),discusswiththeFireBrigadebeforehandtheirinvolvementinanyincident.
75Placecleaningragsandotheritemscontaminatedwithliquidinametalbin,suitablylabelledandfittedwithaself-closingmetallid.Emptybinsatleastdailyastheynotonlypresentafirehazard,buttheymayundergospontaneouscombustion,especiallyiftheircontentsarecontaminatedwithpaintresidues.Specialbinsareavailablewhichallowairtocirculatebeneathandaroundthemtoaidcooling.Contaminatedclothingshouldbechangedpromptly,evenifitappearstohavedried,asflammablevapourcanremaininclothingforalongtimeanditcanbeeasilyignited,forexample,bystandingclosetoaheaterorfromsmokingmaterials.
76Processesshouldbedesignedandoperatedtominimiseflammableresiduesbuildinguponworksurfaces,walls,etc.Removeanyresiduesregularly,preferablywithouttheuseofsolvents.Wheresolventsarenecessary,choosethosewiththeleastflammableortoxicpropertiesandapplytosmallsectionsatatime.Goodventilationisessentialduringthiswork,andsourcesofignitionshouldbeexcluded.
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Figure 11 Examplesofselfclosingcontainerforclothscontaminatedwithsolvents
Disposal of flammable liquids77Wasteliquidswillgenerallyneedtobestoredandhandledaccordingtothesamestandardsastheflammableliquidsfromwhichtheywerederived.Theywillalsobesubjecttothesamelegislation,unlesstheirphysicalpropertieshavebeensignificantlyalteredbytheprocessing.If,forexample,thestorageoftheoriginalflammableliquidrequiredalicencefromthePetroleumLicensingAuthority,thewastematerialmayalsobesubjecttothesamelicenceandconditions.
78Disposeofwasteliquidssafely,takingaccountoftheneedtopreventpollution.Neverputwasteliquidintopublicdrainsorwatercourses.Whenindoubt,consultthelocalwastedisposalauthority.
Figure 12 Exampleofsystemforwastesolventcollection
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79Donotmixwastematerialscollectedfromdifferentprocessesbeforedisposalunlessthevariouscomponentsareknowntobecompatible,andonlyafterconsideringtheeventualdisposaltechniquetobeused.Anydrumsusedforwastematerialsshouldbesoundandnotcontainanyincompatibleresidues.Ifadrumisbeingusedasacollectingstationforwasteliquids,useafunnelthatfitssecurelyintothedrumopeningtoreducethepossibilityofspillage.Therearefunnelswithlidsandflamearresterstostopanyexternalignitionfromflashingbackintothedrumortopreventthedrumbecomingdangerouslypressurisedifitisengulfedbyfire.Whennotinusecontainersofwasteliquidsshouldbesecurelyclosedtopreventleakageandreturnedtostorageareasorcabinets.Donotaddanythingtowasteliquidcontainersinstorageareas(seeparagraph22),butbringthecanordrumouttoadesignatedworkarea.
80Recoveringwasteliquidbydistillationorothermeansmaybefeasible,particularlywherelargeamountsareinvolved.Proprietarybatchstillswithacapacityofafewhundredlitresareavailable,andlargeramountscanbesenttoaspecialistfirmforrecovery.Seekspecialistadviceifthesolventstoberecoveredcontainunstableresiduessuchasnitro-cellulose.
81Closedrumsandothercontainersthathavebeenusedtoholdflammableliquidsbuthavenotbeenthoroughlycleanedandstoretheminasafeplacebeforedisposalorre-use.Thestandardofstorageshouldbethesameasthatforfullcontainers(seeHS(G)51)11.Provideappropriatelabelsforcontainerstobesentoff-site,whethernominallyemptyorcontainingwastematerials.Theconsignorshouldprovidetheoperatorofthevehiclewiththenecessaryinformation(inwriting)aboutthematerialtobecarried,referringtotherelevantcarriagelegislation36,37,38.Wasteflammableliquidssentoff-sitewillalsobesubjecttoenvironmentallegislationincludingtheEnvironmentalProtection(DutyofCare)Regulations199139andtheControlledWaste(RegistrationofCarriersandSeizureofVehicles)Regulations199140.
Information and training82AdequatetrainingandaknowledgeofthepropertiesofflammableliquidsareessentialfortheirsafeuseandhandlingandarealsorequirementsoftheManagementofHealthandSafetyatWorkRegulations19921.CarryingouttheriskassessmentsrequiredbytheseRegulationswillidentifyhowmuchinformation,trainingandretrainingareneeded.FurtherguidanceontheseRegulationsiscontainedintheApprovedCodeofPracticeentitledManagement of health and safety at work41.
83Allstaffonthesiteshouldbeinformedofthehazardsfromtheflammableliquidsinusethere,andoftheneedtoexcludesourcesofignitionandheatfromdesignatedareas.Thosehandlingflammableliquidsorworkingonplantcontainingflammableliquidsshouldalsoreceivespecifictraininginbothnormaloperatingproceduresandemergencyprocedures.Periodicretrainingwillusuallybeneeded.Thetrainingshouldcoverthefollowing:
n thetypesofflammableliquidsinuse,theirpropertiesandhazards;n generalproceduresforsafehandlingofliquidsandoperationofplant;n useofprotectiveclothing;n housekeeping;n reportingoffaultsandincidents,includingminorleaksandspills;n specificinstructionsonindividualitemsofplantandprocesses;n emergencyprocedures,includingraisingthealarm,anduseofappropriatefire-
fightingequipment.
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Thereshouldbewrittenproceduresforcontrollingtherisksfromtheuseandhandlingofflammableliquids,andtheseshouldbeusedasabasisfortraining.
General fire precautions84Thepossibilityofafireanditsuncontrolledescalationcanbeminimisedby:
n goodplantdesignandlayout;n soundengineering;n goodoperatingpractice;n properinstructionofworkersinroutineoperationsandintheactiontobetaken
inanemergency.However,toensurethatpeopleareabletoevacuatetheplantorbuildingssafelybytheirownunaidedeffortsintheeventofafire,theFirePrecautionsAct197142requiresthefollowing:
n escaperoutes;n meanstoenablethesetobeused;n asystemofgivingwarninginthecaseoffire;n managementprocedurestoensurethatalloftheaboveareavailableand
maintained,andthatthereisadequatetrainingintheiruse.
TheFirePrecautionsAct197142isenforcedbytheFireAuthority,andforthemajorityofpremisesusingflammableliquidsthenecessaryprovisionswillbespecifiedinafirecertificateissuedbythatAuthority.UndertheFireCertificates(SpecialPremises)Regulations197643,HSEissuesthefirecertificateforcertainpremises,includingthosehandlinglargequantitiesofflammableliquids.
85TheBuildingControlAuthorities’buildingRegulationsspecifythestructuralfireprecautionsandescaperoutesneededfornewbuildingsandbuildingsundergoingmajoralterationandrefurbishment.Theauthorityissuingthefirecertificateshouldbeconsultedaboutanyfireprecautiondevicesthatcanbeconvenientlyinstalledduringbuildingoralterationwork,suchasfirealarmsandfixedfire-fightingappliances.BS5306Part344containsadviceonselecting,installingandmaintainingportablefireextinguishers.
86Oneoftherequirementstoensureescaperoutescanbeusedisthatfireextinguishersshouldbeprovidedfortacklingfiresintheirearlystages.ThepresenceoffireextinguishersshouldnotmakepeopledelaytheirescapeorpostponephoningtheFireBrigade.Worksfireteamsshouldnottacklefiresthatmightplacethematrisk.Thetypeoffirethatsuchateamshouldtackledependsontheteam’ssizeandexperience.Worksfireteamsshouldbetrainedtorecognisewhenafireisbeyondtheircontrolandwhenitislikelytoposeathreattothem.
87TheFireBrigadeonarrivalwilltakeresponsibilityfortacklingfires.UndertheFireServicesAct194745,theymustmakesurethatwhatevertheyneedforfire-fightingisavailable,includingwatersuppliesandaccessforappliances.ThefirmandtheFireAuthorityshoulddiscusstheserequirements,andthefirmshouldinformtheAuthorityofthematerialsandprocessesusedontheirpremises.ItshouldalsoarrangeforpeoplefamiliarwiththesetobeonhandtoadviseFireBrigadestaffincaseofanemergency.Contactnamescanbegiventothesitesecurityorcontactnumberspostedattheentrancetothesite.
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88Considerprotectingvaluableplantfromfire,eitheractivelyorpassively,tolimitthedamagecausedbyanyincident.BS590846givesfurtherguidance,orspecialistadvicecanbeobtained.
Emergency procedures89Puttingsafetymeasuresintopracticeattheearlieststagecansignificantlyreducetheimpactofanincidentonpeopleandpremises.Aprocedurefordealingwithfires,spillsorleaksshouldthereforebedrawnuptocover:
n raisingthealarm;n callingtheFireBrigade;n tacklingthefireorcontrollingaspillorleak(whenitissafetodoso);n shuttingdowntheplantsafely;n evacuatingtheplantsafely.
Wherelargenumbersofemployeesonsiteorpeopleoffsitemaybeatrisk,onepersonshouldbenominatedtodrawupanactionplan,liaisewithotherservicesanddecideontheappropriatescaleofresponse.
90Whereforeseeableincidentsmayaffectpeopleorpropertybeyondthesiteboundary,theemergencyservicesshouldbeconsultedwhenpreparingtheemergencyprocedures.Formalon-siteandoff-siteemergencyplansarerequiredatsitessubjecttoregulations7to12oftheControlofIndustrialMajorAccidentHazard(CIMAH)Regulations198447–seeHS(G)2548.
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Appendix 1: Legal requirementsHealth and Safety at Work etc Act 19742
1 ThisActisconcernedwithsecuringthehealth,safetyandwelfareofpeopleatworkandwithprotectingthosewhoarenotatworkfromriskstotheirhealthandsafetyarisingfromworkactivities.TheActanditsrelevantstatutoryprovisionsalsodealwithcontrollingthestorageanduseofexplosivesandhighlyflammableorotherwisedangeroussubstances.Thegeneraldutiesinsections2to4and6to8ofthisActapplytoalltheworkactivitieswhicharethesubjectofthisguidancebook.TheActisenforcedeitherbyHSEorbylocalauthoritiesasdeterminedbytheHealthandSafety(EnforcingAuthority)Regulations198949.GuidanceontheActiscontainedinanHSEpublicationentitledA guide to the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 197450.
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 19921
2 TheseRegulationsrequireallemployersandself-employedpersonstoassesstheriskstoworkersandotherswhomaybeaffectedbytheirundertakingssothattheycandecidewhatmeasuresneedtobetakentofulfiltheirstatutoryobligations.TheseRegulationsalsorequireanassessmenttodecideonappropriatehealthandsafetyarrangements,healthsurveillance,emergencyplanning,andtheprovisionofinformationandtraining.AnApprovedCodeofPracticegivesguidanceontheprovisionsoftheseRegulations41.
Highly Flammable Liquids and Liquefied Petroleum Gases Regulations 19723
3 TheseRegulationsapplywhenliquidswhichhaveaflashpointoflessthan32°Candwhichsupportcombustion(whentestedintheprescribedmanner)arepresentatpremisessubjecttotheFactoriesAct196151.TheRegulationsincludeprovisionsforthesehighlyflammableliquidsrelatingto:
n precautionstobetakenduringstorage;n precautionstobetakenagainstspillsandleaks;n controlsforsourcesofignitioninareaswhereaccumulationsofvapoursmight
occur;n meanstopreventtheescapeofvapours;n dispersalofdangerousconcentrationsofvapours;n controlsonsmoking.
AnexceptiontothestoragerequirementsoftheseRegulationsapplieswhereapetroleumlicenceisinforce.HighlyflammableliquidsdefinedbytheseRegulationsareincludedinthescopeofthisguidancedocument.
Factories Act 196151
4 TheActdefinesa‘factory’andcontainsmanygeneralanddetailedprovisionsrelatingtoworkactivitiesinfactories.Section31(3)containsspecificrequirementsrelatingtotheopeningofplantthatcontainsanyexplosiveorinflammablegasorvapourunderpressure,andSection31(4)containsspecificrequirementsrelatingtotheapplicationofheattoplantthathascontainedanyexplosiveorinflammablesubstance.‘Inflammable’meansabletoburnwithaflameand‘flammable’
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isgenerallytakentohavethesamemeaningas‘inflammable’.Inflammablesubstancesandvapourswillincludeflammableliquidsandtheirvapoursasdefinedinthisguidancedocument.
Petroleum (Consolidation) Act 19285
5 TheActdefinespetroleumandpetroleumspiritandrequiresthekeepingofsuchliquids(exceptforsmallspecifiedquantities)tobeauthorisedbyalicence,andtobeinaccordancewithanyconditionsofthelicence.ThePetroleum(Mixtures)Order19296extendstheserequirementstopetroleummixtureswhicharedefinedintheOrder.
Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations 19944
6 TheseRegulations,commonlyreferredtoastheCHIPSRegulations,containrequirementsforthesupplyofchemicals.TheRegulationsrequirethesupplierofchemicalsto:
n classifythem,thatis,identifytheirhazards;n giveinformationaboutthehazardstothepeopletheysupply,bothintheform
oflabelsandsafetydatasheets;n packagethechemicalssafely.
ClassifyingchemicalsaccordingtotheCHIPSRegulationsrequiresknowledgeofphysicalandchemicalproperties,includingtheflashpointsofliquids,andofhealthandenvironmentaleffects.Chemicalsaregroupedintothreecategoriesofdanger,accordingtotheirflashpoints:
n extremelyflammable–thoseliquidswithaflashpointlowerthan0°Candaboilingpointlowerthanorequalto35°C;
n highlyflammable–liquidswhichhaveaflashpointbelow21°Cbutarenotextremelyflammable;
n flammableliquids–liquidswhichhaveaflashpointequaltoorgreaterthan21°Candlessthanorequalto55°Candwhichsupportcombustionwhentestedintheprescribedmannerat55°C.
Flammable,highlyflammableandextremelyflammableliquidsareallincludedinthescopeofthisguidancebook.TheRegulationsaresupportedbyanApprovedsupplylist52containingagreedclassificationsforsomecommonsubstances,anapprovedclassificationandlabellingguide,anApprovedCodeofPracticeonsafetydatasheetsandbytheguidancepublicationCHIP 2 for everyone53.
Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road and Rail (Classification, Packaging and Labelling) Regulations 199436
7 TheseRegulationsapplytothetransportationofdangerousgoodsbyroadandrail.Theiraimistoreducethehazardsinvolvedintransportingsuchsubstancesbyrequiringthemtobecorrectlyclassified,andpackagedandlabelledaccordingtothatclassification.Theyspecifythatdangeroussubstancesshouldbecarriedinsuitablecontainerswhichwillnotleakundernormalhandling;theseshouldbearappropriatewarninglabelsgivinginformationonthenatureofthehazards.Twoassociateddocuments,theApproved carriage list54andtheApproved methods for the classification and packaging of dangerous goods for carriage by road and rail55provideassistancetoenablecompliancewiththeseRegulations.Flammable
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liquidsclassifiedasdangeroussubstancesbytheseRegulationsarethoseliquidswhichhaveaflashpointof61°Corbelow(withcertainexceptionsbasedontheircombustibility)orliquidswithaflashpointabove61°Ccarriedattemperaturesabovetheirflashpoint.FlammableliquidsdefinedinthisguidancewillbeincludedinthescopeoftheseRegulations.
Road Traffic (Carriage of Dangerous Substances in Road Tankers and Tank Containers) Regulations 199237 and the Road Traffic (Carriage of Dangerous Substances in Packages etc) Regulations 199238
8 TheseRegulationscomplementtheCarriageofDangerousGoodsbyRoadandRail(Classification,PackagingandLabelling)Regulations199436.Theirprovisionsincluderequirementsfor:n theconstructionofvehicles;n informationtobereceivedbyoperatorsandtobegiventodrivers;n themarkingofvehicles;n theloading,stowageandunloadingofconsignments.
DangeroussubstancesarethosematerialsincludedintheApprovedCarriageList54producedinassociationwiththe1994RegulationsorwiththecharacteristicpropertiesdefinedinSchedule1ofthoseRegulationsorSchedule1oftheroadtankerRegulations37.The1992roadtankerRegulationsdefineaflammableliquidashavingaflashpointof55°Candbelow,butthesewillberevisedtobringtheclassificationintolinewiththeabove1994carriageRegulations.FlammableliquidsdefinedinthisguidancewillbeincludedinthescopeoftheseRegulations.
Electricity at Work Regulations 198922
9 TheseRegulationsimposerequirementsforelectricalsystemsandequipment,includingworkactivitiesonornearelectricalequipment.Theyalsorequireelectricalequipmentwhichisexposedtoanyflammableorexplosivesubstance,includingflammableliquidsorvapours,tobeconstructedorprotectedsoastopreventdanger.AdviceisavailableinHS(R)2556.
Notification of Installations Handling Hazardous Substances Regulations (NIHHS) 198257
10 TheseRegulationsrequirepremiseswithspecifiedquantitiesofparticularsubstances,suchas10000tonnesormoreofflammableliquidswithaflashpointoflessthan21°CtobenotifiedtoHSE.FollowingthePlanning(HazardousSubstances)Act199058andRegulations199259,thepresenceofNIHHSSchedule1substancesandquantities,togetherwithsomefromCIMAHSchedule347,on,overorunderlandrequiresconsentfromhazardoussubstancesauthorities.SimilarprovisionsalsoapplyinScotland.
Control of Industrial Major Accident Hazards Regulations 1984 as amended 1989/9047
11TheseRegulationsapplyattwolevelstocertainpremiseswherespecifiedquantitiesofparticularsubstancesarestoredorused,suchasflammableliquidswithaflashpointbelow21°Candaboilingpoint(atnormalpressure)above20°C.ThemainaimoftheseRegulationsistopreventmajoraccidentsoccurring;asecondaryobjectiveistolimittheeffectsofanywhichdohappen.Amajoraccident
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isamajoremission,fireorexplosionresultingfromuncontrolleddevelopmentswhichleadstoseriousdangertopeopleortheenvironment.Thefirstlevelrequirementsapplyatpremiseswhere5000tonnesormoreofflammableliquids,asdefinedabove,areinvolvedincertainindustrialactivities,includingprocessingoperationsandstorage.Thesecondlevelrequirementsapplywhere50000tonnesormoreofflammableliquidsareinvolved.Thegeneralrequirementsapplyatbothlevelsandrequirethepersonincontroloftheindustrialactivitytodemonstratethatthemajoraccidenthazardshavebeenidentifiedandthattheactivityisbeingoperatedsafely.Theadditionalrequirementsthatapplyatthesecondlevelincludethesubmissionofawrittensafetyreport,preparationofanon-siteemergencyplanandprovisionofcertaininformationforthepublic.HS(R)2160givesguidanceontheseRegulations.
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 19949
12TheseRegulationsrequireemployerstoassesstherisksarisingfromhazardoussubstancesatworkandtodecideonthemeasuresneededtoprotectthehealthofemployees.Theemployerisalsorequiredtotakeappropriateactiontopreventoradequatelycontrolexposuretothehazardoussubstance.SubstancescoveredbytheRegulationsincludecarcinogenicsubstancesandthosewhich,undertheChemicals(HazardInformationandPackagingforSupply)Regulations19944,arelabelledasverytoxic,toxic,harmful,corrosiveorirritant.TheRegulationsalsocoverdusts,wherepresentinsubstantialquantities,andthosesubstancesassignedoccupationalexposurelimits.FlammableliquidsnormallyhavetoxicorharmfulpropertieswhichbringthemwithinthescopeoftheseRegulations.
Safety Signs Regulations 198061
13 TheseRegulationscontainrequirementsforsafetysignsgivinghealthandsafetyinformationorinstructionstopeopleatwork(exceptforcertaincircumstancesdescribedintheRegulations)tocomplywithPart1ofBS537812.ASafetySignsDirective(92/58/EEC)tobeimplementedbyEuropeanCommunityMemberStateswillresultintheseRegulationsbeingreplacedbythenewHealthandSafety(SafetySignsandSignals)Regulations.TheDirectivelaysdownarequirementtoprovide,maintainanduseasignwhenriskassessmenthasindicatedtheneedforasigntowarnofahazardthatcannotbepreventedorcontrolledeffectivelybyothermeans.AnnexesItoVIIoftheDirectivecontaindetailsofappropriatesigns.Generally,thesignsthatareincludedinBS537812willmeettherequirementsoftheDirective.
Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 199262
14TheseRegulationsimplementaEuropeanCommunityDirectiveandaimtoensuretheprovisionofsafeworkequipmentanditssafeuse.Theyincludegeneraldutiescoveringtheselectionofsuitableequipment,maintenance,information,instructionsandtraining,andtheyalsoaddresstheneedforequipmenttobeabletocontrolselectedhazards.Regulation12isparticularlyrelevanttoequipmentassociatedwithflammableliquids.Itrequiresemployerstoensurethatpeopleusingworkequipmentarenotexposedtohazardsarisingfrom:
n equipmentcatchingfireoroverheating;n theunintendedorprematuredischargeofanyliquidorvapour;n theunintendedorprematureexplosionoftheworkequipmentorany
substanceusedorstoredinit.
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GuidanceontheseRegulationsisavailableinanHSEpublicationentitledWork equipment63.
Fire Precautions Act 197142
15 ThisActcontrolswhathavebecomeknownasthe‘GeneralFirePrecautions’,coveringthemeansofescapeincaseoffire,themeansforensuringtheescaperoutescanbeusedsafelyandeffectively,themeansforfightingfires,andthemeansforgivingwarninginthecaseoffire;andthetrainingofstaffinfiresafety.TheActallowsthepresenceofflammableliquidstobetakenintoaccountwhenconsideringgeneralfireprecautions.TheActisenforcedbytheFireAuthoritiesandfurtherguidancecanbefoundinaHomeOfficepublicationentitledGuide to fire precautions in existing places of work that require a fire certificate – factories, offices, shops and railway premises64.
Fire Certificate (Special Premises) Regulations 197643
16 TheseRegulationsapplyatpremiseswherecertainquantitiesofhazardousmaterialsareprocessed,usedorstored.Forflammableliquidstheyapplyatpremiseswherethereisatotalofmorethan4000tonnesofanyhighlyflammableliquid(asdefinedbytheHighlyFlammableLiquidsandLiquefiedPetroleumGasesRegulations19723)ormorethan50tonnesofanyhighlyflammableliquidheldunderpressuregreaterthanatmosphericpressureandatatemperatureaboveitsboilingpoint.WheretheseRegulationsapplytheytaketheplaceoftheFirePrecautionsAct197142anddesignateHSEastheenforcingauthorityformattersrelatingtogeneralfireprecautions.
Dangerous Substances (Notification and Marking of Sites) Regulations 199065
17ThepurposeoftheseRegulationsistoassistthefire-fightingservicesbytheprovisionofadvanceandon-siteinformationonsitescontaininglargequantitiesofdangeroussubstances.TheRegulationsapplyatsitescontainingtotalquantitiesof25tonnesormoreofdangeroussubstances.Dangeroussubstancesincludeflammableliquidswithaflashpointbelow55°Casdefinedbythisguidancedocument.TheRegulationsrequiresuitablesignstobeerectedataccesspointsandatanylocationsspecifiedbyaninspector,andnotificationtotheappropriatefireandenforcingauthoritiesofthepresenceofanydangeroussubstances.HS(R)2966givesfurtherguidance.
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Appendix 2: Fire-resisting structuresHMChiefInspectorofFactorieshasissuedCertificateofApprovalNo1forstorerooms,processcabinetsorenclosures,workrooms,cupboards,bins,ducts,andcasings,whicharerequiredtobefire-resistingundertheHighlyFlammableLiquidsandLiquefiedPetroleumGasesRegulations19723.Themainrequirementsforcabinets,enclosures,workrooms,ductsandcasingsaresummarisedbelow.Theseshouldformthebasisforconstructionoffire-resistingenclosures,whetherornotthespecificRegulationsapply.
1 Cabinets and enclosures
(a) (i) Eachside,top,flooranddoorshouldbehalf-hourfire-resistanttoBS47667
Part8(nowreplacedbyParts20and22). (ii) Theinternalsurfacematerial(andanysubstratetowhichitisbonded)
should,iftestedtoBS476Part6(firepropagationtest),haveaperformanceindexofnotmorethan12andasub-indexofnotmorethan6.
Exceptionsto(i)and(ii)arefumecabinetsandgloveboxes,andovensusedonlyforevaporatingsolventsfrommaterials.
(b) Eachside,top,flooranddoorshouldbesupportedandfastenedtopreventfailureofthestructureinafireforatleasthalfanhour.Supportsandfasteningsshouldbenon-combustibletoBS476Part4.Exceptionsarefumecabinetsandgloveboxes.
(c) Thejoinsbetweensides,topsandfloorsshouldbebondedorfire-stoppedtopreventorretardthepassageofflameandhotgases.
(d) Thestructureshouldberobustenoughtowithstandforeseeableaccidentaldamage.
(e) Ifthesurfacesofthestructureareliabletobecoatedwithresidues,thestructureshouldallowremovaloftheresidueswithoutimpairingitsfireresistanceoritsabilitytoresistflamespread.
(f) Eachside,top,flooranddoorofovensusedonlyforsolventevaporationshouldbenon-combustibleiftestedtoBS476Part4.
2 WorkroomsNote:Thefollowingrequirementsdonotapplytoexternaldoors,windowsandwalls,ventilationopenings,ortotopsorceilingsofsingle-storeybuildingsandtop-floorrooms.
(a) Eachenclosingelement,forexample,walls,doors,windows,floorsandceilingsshouldbehalf-hourfire-resistanttoBS476Part8(nowreplacedbyParts20–23),exceptforafloorimmediatelyabovetheground.Theinsulationrequirementiswaivedforfloors,ceilingsanddoors.
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(b) AllinternalsurfacesshouldbeatleastClass1iftestedtoBS476Part7(surfacespreadofflame),exceptforfloorsanddoors,andwindowsandtheirframes.
(c) Doorsshouldbeself-closingfromanyposition.
(d) Joinsbetweenelementsofconstructionshouldbebondedorfire-stoppedtopreventorretardthepassageofflameandhotgases.
(e) Thestructureshouldberobustenoughtowithstandforeseeableaccidentaldamage.
(f) Ifthesurfacesofthestructureareliabletobecoatedwithresidues,thestructureshouldallowforremovaloftheresidueswithoutimpairingitsfireresistanceoritsabilitytoresistflamespread.
3 Ducts, trunks and casings
(a) Ducts,trunksandcasingsshouldbeabletosatisfyBS476Part8(nowreplacedbyParts20and22)inremainingfreefromcollapseandresistingthepassageofflameforatleasthalfanhour.
(b) Theinternalsurfacematerial(andanysubstratetowhichitisbonded)should,iftestedtoBS476Part6(firepropagationtest),haveaperformanceindexofnotmorethan12andasub-indexofnotmorethan6.
(c) Thestructureshouldberobustenoughtowithstandforeseeableaccidentaldamage.
(d) Ifthesurfacesofthestructureareliabletobecoatedwithresidues,thestructureshouldallowremovaloftheresidueswithoutimpairingitsfireresistanceoritsabilitytoresistflamespread.
(e) Ducts,trunksandcasingsshouldbesupportedandfastenedtopreventfailureofthestructureinaninternalfireforatleasthalfanhour.Supportsandfasteningsshouldbenon-combustibletoBS476Part4.
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Appendix 3: Hazardous area classification1 Thefirstapproachshouldalwaysbetocontroltheuseofflammablematerials(thatis,liquidsabovetheirflashpoint,gasesandvapours)byadoptingsuitableprecautions,soastominimisetheextentofanyhazardousarea.Theconceptofhazardousareaclassificationhas,inthepast,beenusedsolelyasthebasisforselectingfixedelectricalapparatus.However,italsocanbeusedtohelpeliminatepotentialignitionsources,includingportableelectricalequipment,vehicles,hotsurfaces,etc,fromflammableatmospheres.
2 Hazardousareasfallintothreetypesofzone:Zone0,Zone1andZone2,whicharethree-dimensionalspacesinwhichflammableconcentrationsofvapoursmaybepresent.Thehigherthezonenumberthelowerthelikelihoodthataflammablevapourwillexistwithinthezone.ElectricalequipmentsuitableforuseinZone0isproducedtoahigherspecification(thatis,itislesslikelytoproduceanincendivesparkonfailure)thanthatsuitableforuseinZone1,whichinturnisproducedtoahigherstandardthanthatforuseinZone2.Theaimistoreducetoanacceptableminimumleveltheprobabilityofaflammableatmospherecoincidingwithanelectricalorothersourceofignition.Thethreezonesaredefinedasfollows:
(a) Zone 0 – An area in which an explosive gas-air mixture is continuously present, or present for long periods.AZone0classificationappliestoenclosedspaceswhicharelikelytocontainaflammablevapourcontinuouslyorforlongperiods.Examplesaretheinsideofprocessvesselsandstoragecontainers.Itmayalsoapplyintheimmediatevicinityofexposedliquidsurfacesandofcontinuousreleasesofflammablematerial.
(b) Zone 1 – An area in which an explosive gas-air mixture is likely to occur in
normal operation. AZone1classificationwillbeappropriateifeitherofthefollowingapply:
(i) Theareacontainsplantwhichmay,innormaloperation,releasesufficientflammablematerialtocreateahazard.
(ii) TheareafulfilstherequirementsforZone2buttheventilationordrainageareinadequatetoensureaflammableatmosphereisquicklydispersed.Thisislikelytoapplytopits,trenchesandsimilardepressionsinthecaseofheavier-than-airgasesandtoenclosedroofspacesforlighter-than-airgases.
(c) Zone 2 – An area in which an explosive gas-air mixture is not likely to occur in normal operation, and if it occurs it will exist only for a short time.AZone2classificationcanbeappliedifallofthefollowingaresatisfied:
(i) Innormaloperation,thereisnoflammableliquidindirectcontactwiththesurroundingatmosphere.
(ii) Theplantconcernedisconstructed,installedandmaintainedsoastoprevent,innormaloperation,thereleaseofsufficientflammablematerialtocreateahazard.
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(iii) Theareaiswellenoughventilatedanddrainedtodisperseanyflammableatmospherequicklyintheeventofarelease,sothatanycontactwithelectricalapparatusisonlyforabriefperiod.
(d) Areasoutsidethesezonesaredefinedasnon-hazardous.
3 Ifthetemperatureofaliquidisnotlikelytoberaisedaboveitsflashpoint,andthereislittlelikelihoodofaflammablemistorsprayoccurring,theliquidmaybeconsiderednottogiverisetoahazardousarea.Explosionprotectionofelectricalequipmentisnotthenrequired,butstepsshouldbetakentopreventleaksorsplashesoftheliquidfromcomingintocontactwithelectricalequipment.Nonetheless,thereshouldbenolikelihoodoflocalheatingoftheliquid,whichmightproduceaflammablevapour.Highflashpointliquidssubjecttotemperaturesabovetheirflashpointshouldbetreatedasflammableliquids.Incaseofdoubtseekspecialistadvice.
4 Aplanshouldbedrawnupshowingtheallocationofzonestoeachpartofthepremises.Theextentofeachzonewillvarywiththelayoutofthebuilding,thedesignoftheplant,ventilationattheplantandthetypeofmaterialshandled.Furtheradviceisavailablefromindustrycodes,BS534518Part2andtheInstituteofPetroleumModel code of safe practice in the petroleum industry: Part 15: Area classification code68.
Notes
1 Pipeworkwithall-weldedjointsisnotnormallyasourceofhazardprovidedtheriskofdamageisnegligible.
2 AllowforroutinereleasesofsmallamountsofflammablematerialinaZone2area,forexampleduringsampling,byassigningasmallZone1areaaroundthepointofrelease.
3 Regularemissionsofflammablevapour,forexamplefromtankventsduringpumping,willlikewisegiverisetoaZone1areaaroundeachpointofrelease.
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Item Extent of area Classification
Pump(insideabuilding)
a)withinanyenclosurearoundthepump
b)withinahorizontalradiusof4mandverticallyfromthegroundlevelto2mabovetheunit
Zone1
Zone2
Closedprocessvessel,filledandemptiedbypipeline
a)Insidethevessel
b)Verticallyfromgroundlevelto2mabovethevesselandhorizontallyto2mfromthevessel(orto1moutsidethesillifthisisgreater)
Zone0
Zone2
Openvessel a)Insidethevessel
b)Verticallyfromgroundlevelto1mabovethevesselandhorizontallyto2mfromthevessel
c)Horizontallyto2mbeyondtheZone1area(orto1moutsidethesillifthisisgreater).Alsoverticallytoaheightof3miftheZone1areadoesnotreach3minheight
Zone0
Zone1
Zone2
Metereddischargepoint
a)within2mhorizontallyofthedischargepointandfromfloorpointlevelto1mabovethesource
b)horizontallyto2mbeyondtheZone1boundary,(orto1moutsidethesillifthisisgreater),andverticallytoaheightof3miftheZone1areadoesnotreach3minheight
Zone1
Zone2
Table 1 Typicalhazardousareaclassification
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GlossaryAuto-ignition temperature: Theminimumtemperatureatwhichamaterialwillignitespontaneouslyunderspecifiedtestconditions.Alsoreferredtoasminimumignitiontemperature.
Combustible:Capableofburninginairwhenignited.
Enforcing authority: TheauthoritywithresponsibilityforenforcingtheHealthandSafetyatWorketcAct19742andotherrelevantstatutoryprovisions.
Fire-resisting: Abletofulfil,forastatedperiodoftime,therequiredstability,fireintegrityand/orthermalinsulation,whereappropriate,inastandardfireresistancetest.SeeAppendix2.
Flame arrester:Adeviceconsistingofanelement,ahousingandassociatedfittingswhichisconstructedandusedtopreventthepassageofflame.Anarrestermaybecategorisedaseitheranend-of-linedeflagrationarrester,anin-linedeflagrationarresteroradetonationarrester–seeBS724420forrequirementsandtestmethods.Mostflamearrestersconsistofanassemblycontainingnarrowpassagesoraperturesthroughwhichgasesorvapourscanflowbutwhicharetoosmallforaflametopassthrough.
Flammable: Capableofburningwithaflame.Seeparagraph4forthedefinitionof‘flammableliquid’usedinthisguidance.
Flammable range:Theconcentrationofaflammablevapourinairfallingbetweentheupperandlowerexplosionlimits.
Flashpoint: Theminimumtemperatureatwhichaliquid,underspecifictestconditions,givesoffsufficientflammablevapourtoignitemomentarilyontheapplicationofanignitionsource.
Hazard:Anythingwiththepotentialforcausingharm.Theharmmaybetopeople,propertyortheenvironment,andmayresultfromsubstances,machines,methodsofworkorworkorganisation.
Hazardous area:Anareawhereflammableorexplosivegasorvapour-airmixtures(oftenreferredtoasexplosivegas-airmixtures)are,ormaybeexpectedtobe,presentinquantitieswhichrequirespecialprecautionstobetakenagainsttheriskofignition.SeeAppendix3.
Incendive:Havingsufficientenergytoigniteaflammablemixture.
Inert: Incapableofsupportingcombustion;torenderincapableofsupportingcombustion.
Lower explosion limit (LEL):Theminimumconcentrationofvapourinairbelowwhichthepropagationofaflamewillnotoccurinthepresenceofanignitionsource.Alsoreferredtoasthelowerflammablelimitorthelowerexplosivelimit.
Non-combustible material:Amaterialthatfulfilsthecriteriafornon-combustibilitygiveninBS47667Part4:1970.Alternatively,amaterialwhich,whentestedinaccordancewithBS476Part11:1982,doesnotflameandgivesnoriseintemperatureoneitherthecentreorfurnacethermocouples.
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Risk: Thelikelihoodthat,shouldanincidentoccur,harmfromaparticularhazardwillaffectaspecifiedpopulation.Riskreflectsboththelikelihoodthatharmwilloccuranditsseverityinrelationtothenumbersofpeoplewhomightbeaffected,andtheconsequencestothem.
Risk assessment: Theprocessofidentifyingthehazardspresentinanyundertaking(whetherarisingfromworkactivitiesorotherfactors)andthoselikelytobeaffectedbythem,andofevaluatingtheextentoftherisksinvolved,bearinginmindwhateverprecautionsarealreadybeingtaken.
Upper explosion limit (UEL): Themaximumconcentrationofvapourinairabovewhichthepropagationofaflamewillnotoccur.Alsoreferredtoastheupperflammablelimitortheupperexplosivelimit.
Vapour: Thegaseousphasereleasedbyevaporationfromamaterialthatisaliquidatnormaltemperaturesandpressure.
Zone: Theclassifiedpartofahazardousarea,representingtheprobabilityofaflammablevapour(orgas)andairmixturebeingpresent.SeeAppendix3.
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References and further reading References
1Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 SI1999/3242HMSO1999ISBN0110856252
2 Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 Ch37HMSO1974 ISBN0105437743
3 Highly Flammable Liquids and Liquefied Petroleum Gases Regulations 1972SI1972/917HMSO1972ISBN0110209176
4 Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations 1994SI1994/3247HMSO1994ISBN0110438779
5 Petroleum (Consolidation) Act 1928 Chapter32HMSO1928
6 Petroleum (Mixtures) Order 1929HMSO1929ISBN0111000319
7 Environmental Protection Act 1990 HMSO1990ISBN0105443905
8 HSE Safety datasheets for substances and preparations dangerous for supply GuidanceonRegulation6oftheCHIPRegulations1994ApprovedCodeofPracticeL62HSEBooks1995ISBN071760859X
9 Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1994SI1994/3246HMSO1994ISBN0110437217
10HSEStorage of packaged dangerous substances HSG71 HSEBooks1998ISBN0717614840
11HSEThe storage of flammable liquids in containersHSG51 HSEBooks1998ISBN0717614719
12BritishStandardsInstitutionSafety signs and coloursBS5378:1980
13AmericanNationalStandardsInstituteStandardB31.3Chemical plant and petroleum refinery piping(withaddenda)
1 1981addendatoANSI/ASMEB31.3–1990edition(AWSI/ASME) 2 1982addendatoANSI/ASMEB31.3–1990edition(AWS1/ASME
B31.3b–1980) 14EngineeringEquipmentandMaterialUsersAssociationSupplement
153toANSI/ASMEB31.31989
15BritishStandardsInstitutionSpecification for pipe supportsBS3974:1974
16BritishStandardsInstitutionSpecification for identification of pipelines and services BS1710:1984
17BritishStandardsInstitutionCode of practice for accommodation of building services in ducts BS8313:1997
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18BritishStandardsInstitutionCode of practice for the selection, installation and maintenance of electrical apparatus for use in potentially explosive atmospheres BS5345:1989(in8parts)
19EuropeanCodeofPracticeElectricalinstallations in potentially explosive gas atmospheres (other than mines)prEN50154(alsopublishedunderthesametitleasInternationalStandardIEC79–14)
20BritishStandardsInstitutionFlame arresters for general use BS7244:1990
21HSE Health and safety in motor vehicle repair HSEBooks1991HSG67 ISBN0717604837
22 Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 SI1989/635HMSO1989 ISBN011096635X
23InstitutionofChemicalEngineers Electricity and flammable substances: A short guide for small businessesISBN08529525031989
24BritishStandardsInstitutionCode of practice for earthingBS7430:1998
25BritishStandardsInstitutionCode of practice for the control of undesirable static electricityBS5958
Part 1: 1991 General considerations Part 2 : 1991 Recommendations for particular industrial situations
26BritishStandardsInstitutionSpecification for lined industrial vulcanised rubber boots BS5451:1989
27BritishStandardsInstitutionSpecification for lined lightweight rubber overshoes and overbootsBS7193:1989
28HSEDiesel-engined lift trucks in hazardous areasPM58HSEBooks1986ISBN0118835351
29HSEThe cleaning and gas freeing of tanks containing flammable residues CS15HSEBooks1985ISBN0717613658
30HSCOilIndustryAdvisoryCommitteeGuidance on permit-to-work systems in the petroleum industryHSEBooks1991ISBN0717612813
31HSEOccupational exposure limits EH40/2002HSEBooks2002 ISBN0717620832
32HSE Spraying of highly flammable liquids EH9HSEBooks1977 ISBN0118830341
33HSEEvaporating and other ovens HSG16HSEBooks1981 ISBN0118834339
34General COSHH ACoP, Carcinogens ACoP and Biological agents ACoP:Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1999HSEBooks1999ISBN0717616703
35HSEDangerous maintenance - a study of maintenance accidents and how to prevent them HSEBooks1992ISBN0118863479
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36HSE Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road and Rail (Classification, Packaging and Labelling) Regulations 1994SI1994/669HMSO1994
ISBN0110436695
37HSERoad Traffic (Carriage of Dangerous Substances in Road Tankers and Tank Containers) Regulations 1992SI1992/743HMSO1992ISBN0110237439
38HSERoad Traffic (Carriage of Dangerous Substances in Packages, etc) Regulations 1992SI1992/742HMSO1992ISBN0110237420
39Environmental Protection (Duty of Care) Regulations 1991 SI1991/2839HMSO1991ISBN0110158539
40Controlled Waste (Registration of Carriers and Seizure of Vehicles) Regulations 1991SI1991/1624HMSO1991ISBN0110146247
41HSCManagement of health and safety at work. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 ApprovedCodeofPracticeL21
HSEBooks1999ISBN0717624889
42HomeOfficeandScottishOffice Fire Precautions Act 1971 Ch40HMSO1971ISBN010544071X
43Fire Certificates (Special Premises) Regulations 1976SI1976/2003HMSO1976ISBN0110620038
44BritishStandardsInstitutionBS5306Code of practice for fire extinguishing installations and equipment on premises
Part1:1976Hydrant systems, hose reels and foam inlets Part3:2000Code of practice for the selection, installation and maintenance of
portable fire extinguishers
45Fire Services Act 1947Ch41HMSO1947ISBN0108501094
46BritishStandardsInstitutionBS5908:1990 Code of practice for fire precautions in the chemical and allied industriesISBN0580182053
47 Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations1999SI1999/743HMSOISBN0110821920
48HSEEmergency planning for major accidents:Control of Major Accident Hazards RegulationsHSG191HSEBooks1999ISBN0717616959
49Health and Safety (Enforcing Authority) Regulations 1989 SI1989/1903HMSO1989ISBN0110979036
50HSEA guide to the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 HSEBooks1992ISBN0717604411
51 Factories Act 1961Chapter34HMSO1961ISBN0108500276
52HSE Approved supply list and database - CHIP 2 L61ISBN0717608581
53HSECHIP 2 for everyone HS(G)126HSEBooks1995ISBN0717608573
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54HSEApproved carriage list: Information approved for the classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous goods for carriage by road and rail
L57HSEBOOKS1994ISBN0717607453
55HSEApproved requirements and test methods for the classification and packaging of dangerous goods for carriage. Carriage of Dangerous Goods (Classification, Packaging and Labelling) and Use of Transportable Pressure Receptacles Regulations 1996L88HSEBooks1996ISBN071761221X
56 HSEMemorandum of guidance on the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 HS(R)25HSEBooks1989ISBN0717616029
57 Notification of Installations Handling Hazardous Substances Regulations 1982SI1982/1357HMSO1982ISBN0110273575
58 Planning (Hazardous Substances) Act 1990 HMSO1990 ISBN010541090X
59Planning (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 1992 SI1992/656HMSO1992ISBN0110236564
60 HSEA guide to the Control of Industrial Major Accident Hazards Regulations 1984HS(R)21HSEBooks1990ISBN0118855794
61 Safety Signs Regulations 1980 SI1980/1471HMSO1980 ISBN0110074718
62Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998SI1998/2306HMSO1998ISBN0110795997
63HSEWork equipment ProvisionandUseofWorkEquipmentRegulations1998GuidanceonRegulationsL22HSEBooks1998ISBN0717616266
64HomeOffice/ScottishHomeandHealthDepartment Guide to fire precautions in existing places of work that require a fire certificate - factories, offices, shops and railway premises
HMSO1993ISBN0113410794
65Dangerous Substances (Notification and Marking of Sites) Regulations 1990 SI1990/304HMSO1990ISBN0110033043
66HSE Notification and marking of sites DangerousSubstances(NotificationandMarkingofSites)Regulations1990HS(R)29HSEBooks1990
ISBN0118854356
67BritishStandardsInstitutionBS476Fire tests on building materials and structures (invariousparts)
68InstituteofPetroleum Model code of safe practice in the petroleum industry Part 15: Area classification code 1990ISBN0471921602
Further reading
BritishStandardsInstitutionBSEN671:1995Specification for fire hose reels (water) for fixed installations
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ChemicalIndustriesAssociationGuidelines for bulk handling of ethylene oxide1983ChemicalRecoveryAssociationCode of Practice for the recovery of flammable solvents1977
DrinksNationalIndustryGroupStorage and handling of high strength potable alcohol
FireProtectionAssociationCompendium of fire safety data Volume 2Industrial and process fire safety
FireProtectionAssociation Fire and related properties of industrial chemicals 1972
HSEDispensing petrol: Assessing and controlling the risk of fire and explosion at sites where petrol is stored and dispensed as a fuel HSG146HSEBooks1996ISBN0717610489
HSEThe storage of flammable liquids in tanksHSG176HSEBooks1998ISBN0717614700
The Petroleum – Spirit (Plastic Containers) Regulations 1982 SI1982/630HMSOISBN0110266307
HSEApproved guide to the classification and labelling of substances and preparations dangerous for supply–CHIP2L100HSEBooks1995ISBN0717608603HSEThe storage and handling of organic peroxides CS21HSEBooks1991ISBN071762403X
HSC Fire safety in the printing industry HSEBooks1992ISBN0118863754
HSEGlass reinforced plastic vessels and tanks: Advice to usersPM75HSEBooks1991ISBN0118856081
Whileeveryefforthasbeenmadetoensuretheaccuracyofthereferenceslistedinthispublication,theirfutureavailabilitycannotbeguaranteed.
HSEpricedandfreepublicationscanbeobtainedbymailorderfromHSEBooks(seebackcoverfordetails).HSEpricedpublicationsarealsoavailablefromgoodbooksellers.
BritishStandardsareavailablefrom:389ChiswickHighRoad,LondonW49ALTel:02089967000Fax:0208996
Further informationForinformationabouthealthandsafetyringHSE’sInfolineTel:08453450055Fax:08454089566Textphone:08454089577e-mail:[email protected],CaerphillyBusinessPark,CaerphillyCF833GG.
HSEpricedandfreepublicationscanbeviewedonlineororderedfromwww.hse.gov.ukorcontactHSEBooks,POBox1999,Sudbury,SuffolkCO102WATel:01787881165Fax:01787313995.HSEpricedpublicationsarealsoavailablefrombookshops.
BritishStandardscanbeobtainedinPDForhardcopyformatsfromtheBSIonlineshop:www.bsigroup.com/ShoporbycontactingBSICustomerServicesforhardcopiesonlyTel:02089969001e-mail:[email protected].
TheStationeryOfficepublicationsareavailablefromTheStationeryOffice,POBox29,NorwichNR31GNTel:08706005522Fax:08706005533e-mail:[email protected]:www.tso.co.uk(Theyarealsoavailablefrombookshops.)StatutoryInstrumentscanbeviewedfreeofchargeatwww.opsi.gov.uk.
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Health and Safety Executive