Safety and Health Program- Flammable Liquids

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Flammable Liquids

Purpose:

Proper Storage and use of flammable liquids can significantly reduce the possibility of accidental fires and injury to employees. To minimize risk to life and properly, the requirements of NFPA 30 & 321 and OSHA Standard 1910.106 have been implemented. MSDS for flammable liquids are kept in the Safety and Health Office and at each storage location.

Responsibilities:

Management-

· Provide proper storage for flammable liquids

· Ensure proper training is provided to employees who work with flammable liquids

· Ensure containers are properly labeled

Supervisors-

· Provide adequate training in the use and storage of flammable liquids

· Monitor for proper use and storage

· Keep only the minimum amount required on hand

· Ensure MSDS are current for all flammable liquids

Employees-

· Follow all storage and use requirements

· Report deficiencies in storage and use to supervisors

· Immediately report spills to supervisors

Hazard Control:

Engineering Controls-

· Properly designed flammable storage areas

· Ventilated Storage areas

· Grounding Straps on Drums and dispensing points

Administrative Controls:

· Designated storage areas

· Limiting amount of flammable liquids in use and storage

· Employee Training

· Limited & controlled access to bulk storage areas

· Posted Danger, Warning and Hazard Signs

Definitions :

Flammable Liquid - a liquid with a flashpoint below 100 Degrees F.

Class IA - flashpoint below 73 Degrees F. and boiling point below 100 Degrees F.

Class IB - flashpoint below 73 Degrees F. and boiling point above 100 Degrees F.

Class IC - flash at or above 73 Degrees F. and below 100 Degrees F.

Combustible Liquids - a liquid having a flash point at or above 1000 F.

Class II Combustibles - Flashpoint above 100 Degrees F.and below 140 Degrees F.

Class III Combustibles - Flashpoint at or above 140 Degrees F.

Subclass IIIA - flashpoint at or above 140 Degrees F. and below 200 Degrees F.

Subclass IIIB - flashpoint at or above 200 Degrees F.

Substitution:

Flammable liquids sometimes may be substituted by relatively safe materials in order to reduce the risk of fires. Any substituted material should be stable and nontoxic and should either be nonflammable or have a high flashpoint.

Storage & Usage of Flammable Liquids

Flammable and combustible liquids require careful handling at all times. The proper storage of flammable liquids within a work area is very important in order to protect personnel from fire and other safety and health hazards.

· Storage of Flammable liquids shall be in NFPA approved flammable storage lockers or in low value structures at least 50 feet from any other structure. Do not store other combustible materials near flammable storage areas or lockers

· Bulk drums of flammable liquids must be grounded and bonded to containers during dispensing

· Portable containers of gasoline or diesel are not to exceed 5 gallons

· Safety cans used for dispensing flammable or combustible liquids shall be kept at a point of use.

· Appropriate fire extinguishers are to be mounted within 75 feet of outside areas containing flammable liquids, and within 10 feet of any inside storage area for such materials.

· Storage rooms for flammable and combustible liquids must have explosion-proof light fixtures

· Bulk storage of gasoline or diesel are kept in above ground tanks. Tank areas are diked to contain accidental spills. Tanks shall be labeled IAW NFPA guidelines. All tank areas shall be designated no smoking - no hot work - no open flame areas.