Flammable Liquid Safety

Overview

Flammable Liquid Safety should be managed through a planned system of work: identify the task-specific hazards, eliminate exposure where practical, use engineered or collective controls before relying on PPE, verify critical safeguards before starting, and stop the task when controls are missing or conditions change. This guide applies those principles specifically to storage, transfer and ignition control for flammable and combustible liquids.

Main Hazards

• • Vapor accumulation near ignition sources
• • Spills during transfer or use of unsuitable containers
• • Ignition of combustible or flammable materials
• • Burns from sparks, slag, flame or hot surfaces
• • Fire or explosion in adjacent or hidden spaces

Essential Controls

1. 1Use approved containers and keep quantities at the work area to the practical minimum.
2. 2Control ignition sources and provide bonding/grounding where static accumulation can create a hazard.
3. 3Remove or protect combustibles and check both sides of walls, floors and penetrations.
4. 4Use the required permit, gas testing and fire-watch controls before ignition sources are introduced.
5. 5Provide suitable fire-fighting equipment and maintain access to emergency routes.
6. 6Stop work if atmospheric conditions, ventilation or fire controls become inadequate.

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