Safe Working with Flammable Substances

Safe working with flammable substances

Introduction

The Health and Safety executive is the principle authority on flammable substances with Fire and Local authorities taking a secondary role never the less working very closely together.

Small quantities of dangerous goods can be found in most workplaces. Whatever they are used fork, the storage and use of such goods can pose a serious hazard unless basic safety principles are followed.

If you use one particular group of dangerous goods – flammable and explosive substances – this guidance will help you to:

· be aware of the hazards of various types of flammable

· substances;

· be aware of basic standards which apply to safe handling and storage of flammable substances;

· introduce procedures to prevent accidents and protect people from the hazards of flammable substances;

· find more detailed information when you need it.

There is an enormous variety of flammable substances to be found in the workplace. They range from the obvious e.g. petrol, paint thinners, welding gases and heating fuels, to the not so obvious, e.g. packaging materials, dusts from woodworking and dusts from food stuffs such as flour and sugar etc.

Three ingredients are needed for a fire: a fuel at the right concentration, a good supply of air, and a source of ignition. If you control these ingredients, fires can be prevented.

Note: this guidance does not cover products which are intentional explosives, including fireworks. Advice on the legislation and guidance relevant to these products can be obtained from the HSE Explosives Inspectorate, Magdalen House, Stanley Precinct, Bootle, Merseyside L20 3QZ.

Safety Principles

By applying the following five principles you will be well on the way to making sure that you are working safely with flammable substances. Think V.I.C.E.S. and keep up a strong grip on your workplace safety.

* Ventilation

Is there plenty of fresh air where flammable liquids or gases are stored and used? Good ventilation will mean that any vapours off from a spill, leak or release from any process, will be rapidly dispersed.

* Ignition

Have all the obvious ignition sources been removed from the storage and handling areas? Ignition sources can be very varied and they include sparks from electrical equipment or welding and cutting tools, hot surfaces, open flames from heating equipment, smoking materials etc.

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