Health & Safety at Work Hazards from Aerosols

To understand the hazards associated with aerosol products. Objective To understand the hazards associated with aerosol products. Understand how to control these hazards in the workplace. Safe aerosol handling.

Fire triangle HEAT SOURCE FUEL SUPPLY

Hazards EXPLOSIONS FIRE MISSILES

Liquid Petroleum Gas as propellant Hazardous Material Liquid Petroleum Gas as propellant Product base – possibly alcohol or similar flammable liquid.

Flashpoint “ The lowest temperature of a liquid at which the vapour given of forms a flammable mixture with oxygen in the air”

Temperature required to cause ignition of flammable liquids / vapours. Auto - Ignition Temperature required to cause ignition of flammable liquids / vapours. Typically greater than 400 degrees C. Generally in open conditions (workplace) temperatures required for auto-ignition are much higher.

Propellant provides about 3 bar pressure in cans. Pressurised Containers Propellant provides about 3 bar pressure in cans. Vapour pressure increases if temperature of can contents increase. Cans typically designed to survive 16 bar pressure. At 70 – 80 degrees pressure will cause cans to burst. Top / bottom of can distorts first. Tin plate cans – top / bottom flies off = missiles. Aluminium cans usually split on body.

Fire around can heats contents very quickly. Internal pressure rises. Behaviour of cans In fire Fire around can heats contents very quickly. Internal pressure rises. Can distorts. Can bursts. Flammable contents instantaneously released. Fireball created. Can fragments ejected as missiles.

The aftermath!

Total Devastation!

Basic Principles Of Safety “ The fundamental safety philosophy which ensures that an item of equipment can be operated, or an operation performed, in a safe manner with risks that area as low as practicable”

Decision is based on Risk versus Likelihood and Consequences. Basis of safety Preventive measures i.e. prevention of the initiation of fire or explosion. Protective measures i.e. acceptance that a fire or explosion can arise but aim to control the consequences. Decision is based on Risk versus Likelihood and Consequences.

Avoidance of flammable atmospheres Preventive Measures Avoidance of flammable atmospheres (So no hazard, or else flammable volume insufficient to be an explosion hazard) Elimination of ignition sources

Extinguishment of fires. Containment / control of fires. Protective Measures Extinguishment of fires. Containment / control of fires. Containment of explosion. Explosion suppression. Explosion venting.

Wrapped packs of cans on pallets, in racking or on the floor. Consider this!! Wrapped packs of cans on pallets, in racking or on the floor. Pallets moved by Mechanical Handling Equipment or by automated systems. What are the potential fire hazards?

Ignition of leak from aerosols (propellant or product base) Fire Hazards Ignition of leak from aerosols (propellant or product base) Ignition of packaging material. Fire on MHE. Fire in battery charging area.

Are there any potential explosion risks?

Cans spontaneously bursting Faulty products Cans overheated in storage Explosion Hazards Cans spontaneously bursting Faulty products Cans overheated in storage Cans releasing propellant to form flammable atmospheres Leaking cans taken into storage Cans damaged during handling

Naked flames Electrical sparks Impact sparks Static electricity Ignition Sources (Generic) Naked flames Electrical sparks Impact sparks Static electricity Hot surfaces

Sparks or hot surfaces from fixed electrical equipment. Ignition Sources (Specific) Sparks or hot surfaces from fixed electrical equipment. Sparks or hot surfaces from MHE or cranes. Sparks from an impact involving MHE or crane e.g. forks hitting nail in a pallet. Static electricity. Hot work Smokers’ material

BEWARE!

Care when mechanical handling. Care when stacking pallets on racks. Fire Protection AVOID CAUSING CANS TO LEAK; Care when mechanical handling. Care when stacking pallets on racks. Minimum exposure to high temperature.

MHE accidents / fallen pallets. Checks before moving pallets. Fire Protection IDENTIFYING LEAKING CANS; Wet Packs. Smells of perfume. MHE accidents / fallen pallets. Checks before moving pallets. Manual checks on individual cans. Loading and unloading wrapping machines.

Remove to outdoor reject bin / cage Fire Protection IF / WHEN LEAKING CANS ARE FOUND; Remove to outdoor reject bin / cage Remove pallets to outside before breaking. Do not move pallet with electric MHE – use hand pallet truck.

IF A PALLET CONTAINING AEROSOLS IS DROPPED OR HIT BY MHE; Fire Protection IF A PALLET CONTAINING AEROSOLS IS DROPPED OR HIT BY MHE; Immediately STOP! Switch off MHE. Identify leaking cans and remove by hand.

REMEMBER! Aerosols are perfectly safe IF handled with care. Safe working practices and adherence to safe working systems are essential. Do not take risks! If you are unsure about any situation then cease work, turn off MHE and seek guidance.

WORK SAFELY – ALWAYS! Report all accidents, incidents and near misses immediately. Ensure your colleagues are also working safely and not taking unnecessary risks. Do not allow the pressure of work to force you to take short cuts.