Flammable Liquids

Back in my HAZMAT days, we did a lot of transfers from damaged containers to proper containers to mitigate the release of hazardous materials.  When the HAZMAT was a flammable liquid, we oftentimes had to construct our own grounding grid.  This was more than not a massive challenge for us as we did this all…...

Many large scale processes that use Cat 1, 2, and 3 flammable liquids may also rely on a Nitrogen purge system to ensure the space within the process vessel is BELOW the Limiting Oxidizer Concentration (LOC) – sometimes called the Minimum Oxygen Concentration (MOC).  This safety system is based on the simple fact that if…...

Many of us use Safety Data Sheets (SDS) on a regular basis and most of us have come to the realization that these documents fall far short of providing us the safety information we really need.  For example, when working with flammable liquids do you trust the SDS data to provide an accurate Flash Point…...

Bonding and grounding is a critical safety function when transferring flammable liquids.  But for the ground to function properly, how good must it be or in technical terms, how much resistance to ground is acceptable in the design of the safety system?… Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready...

NOT only was this worker welding, but he/she had also used a flammable liquid to clean the spot they wanted to weld and then kept the OPEN bucket of flammable liquid right at the point of work.  When they struck the arc, the vapors in the bucket ignited and the worker kicked the bucket of…...

OSHA has cited a carpet restoration, plumbing, and resurfacing contractor for exposing employees to safety and health hazards after a fatal incident at a worksite. The company faces $183,127 in penalties.  OSHA initiated an investigation after an employee suffered fatal injuries after inhaling lacquer thinner, which was used to resurface a bathtub. OSHA cited the…...

In the past several weeks I have tried to explain the fundamental safety practices of storing the alcohols many businesses are using to make hand sanitizer.  This post I wanted to share two videos that show the flammability of these hand sanitizers and an excellent video from NFPA about how the changes at businesses such…...

We have discussed the hazards and risks associated with the transferring of hazardous materials in bulk.  This case was a terminal to ship transfer, but these basic failures can happen on any transfer.  Not following procedures, not utilizing an unloading checklist, and not using the unloading process and the nitrogen purge process as it was…...