BITUMEN SAFETY

BITUMINOUS MATERIALS BITUMEN IS - The oldest known engineering material - Produced by flash distillation of crude oil - Versatile due to its plasticity, insolubility & inertness Bitumen is widely used for road construction, roofing, air fields, water-proofing, etc. This paper essentially deals with road Bitumen (bulk and packed).

2.1 TYPES OF BITUMEN There are two types of road bitumens used widely : Pure Bitumen and Bitumen Emulsions. Pure Bitumen : Comes in 4 grades, for various courses of road laying application. Bitumen Emulsions : A bitumen-water mixture stabilised by an emulsifier Cationic emulsions are more suited for road building than anionic

TYPES OF BITUMEN (contd) Advantages of Emulsions over pure Bitumen Lower temperature application : Less hazards of burns/fires/fumes Less dependence on atmospheric conditions Allows use of damp aggregates even at low temperature Have built-in adhesive & wetting agents

3.O SAFETY IN BITUMEN HANDLING At room temperature, bitumen is a safe product with no environment or health hazards Occupational hazards arise due to handling at high temperature Main hazards are thermal burns and potential fire/explosion Supports combustion if over heated in the presence of air

3.O SAFETY IN BITUMEN HANDLING (contd) 3.1 Bulk Storage: Operational Safety Requirements: Reliable gauging and alarm systems High level alarms Divert overflow and vent pipes to safe areas Anti-siphon slots on fill pipes going to the bottom of the tank

3.O SAFETY IN BITUMEN HANDLING (contd) 3.1 Bulk Storage: (contd) Guard rails for roof ladders/walkways Ensure tank is water-free while commissioning after repairs Hot pipes to be vertical to avoid bowing Never unclog bitumen pipes with propane torch

3.O SAFETY IN BITUMEN HANDLING (contd) 3.2 Packed Bitumen: When Bitumen is packed in drums: The operator should be wearing all PPE Adjust drum and filling head height properly to avoid splashing of hot Bitumen Maintain right temperature of Bitumen to minimise fumes There should be no open source of ignition nearby Dry chemical fire extinguisher and first aid kit should be on hand There should be no manual handling of drums when the Bitumen is hot.

3.O SAFETY IN BITUMEN HANDLING (contd) 3.3 Transportation Tanker safety precautions: Tanker should be water-free and on level ground Allow enough room for expansion during heating No open flames while filling tanker Stand clear of the man-hole while filling and close it securely after filling

3.O SAFETY IN BITUMEN HANDLING (contd) 3.3 Transportation (contd) When heating up a tanker: At least 6 inches of Bitumen should cover the tubes Heat the tanker slowly, especially when bitumen is cold Never allow the vent pipes to get plugged Have adequate fire extinguishers on hand All drivers delivering Bitumen must wear PPE

3.O SAFETY IN BITUMEN HANDLING (contd) 3.3 Transportation (contd) While delivering Bitumen at site: Clearly identify safe route to delivery points Vehicle reversing to be kept minimum Flat, even surface to be provided for the vehicle There should be unrestricted space for movement around the vehicle Provide a safe exit route in the event of emergency Provide emergency shower near discharge point

3.O SAFETY IN BITUMEN HANDLING (contd) 3.3 Transportation (contd) While delivering Bitumen at site: Display advice on safe operations as well as treatment procedure for Bitumen burns in delivery area. Provide method for collecting and disposal of hose drainings Site personnel must report any defects noticed at receipt/delivery site

3.O SAFETY IN BITUMEN HANDLING (contd) 3.4 Site Storage and Handling While heating Bitumen at the site: Heater should be on level ground A warning line should be set up around the heater to keep people away Make sure the heater is water free Before firing make sure all vents are open. Increase the temperature and add Bitumen slowly.

3.O SAFETY IN BITUMEN HANDLING (contd) 3.4 Site Storage and Handling (contd) While heating Bitumen at the site: If there is fire inside the heater, close the lid and turn off the burners Do not allow spigots and valves to drip as hot Bitumen can be blown around by wind Place the heaters down-wind of workers and occupied buildings Never over-heat the Bitumen to prevent excessive fumes. Use insulators for hot pipes and luggers.

3.O SAFETY IN BITUMEN HANDLING (contd) While carrying molten Bitumen to work-site If the surface is sloped, carry the bucket on the downhill slide. Never fill bucket more than 3 quarters Have a dry chemical extinguisher at site Luggers should be water-free Chock the wheel of a mobile lugger while filling The path of the travel for the lugger should be level and clear of debris Operators must wear appropriate PPE.

3.O SAFETY IN BITUMEN HANDLING (contd) 3.5 Safety Awareness & Procedures: Over 50% of Bitumen related accidents occur during application Accidents can be reduced by raising awareness Hot Bitumen should not be exposed to source of fire Do not use water for fighting Bitumen fire In a sustained Bitumen fire use self-contained breathing apparatus Hot Bitumen can ignite flammable material on contact

3.O SAFETY IN BITUMEN HANDLING (contd) 3.5.1 Personal Protective Wear: While handling heated Bitumen use chemical goggles with face shield Wear loose clothing of cotton with closed collars and cuffs; use gloves covering the arm and wear ankle boots. To prevent contact of Bitumen with skin use barrier creams After work, personnel should use skin cleaner and wash with soap and water Safety showers and eye wash stations should be available at the site.

3.O SAFETY IN BITUMEN HANDLING (contd) 3.5.2 Health Hazards: If overcome by fumes, move to fresh air and administer oxygen if necessary. Remove/clean Bitumen from skin with waterless hand cleaner (like mineral oil) Flush out eye contamination with water For hot Bitumen skin burns, apply cold water or ice pack to remove the heat rapidly Do not bandage Bitumen burns and do not attempt to remove adhering Bitumen.

3.O SAFETY IN BITUMEN HANDLING (contd) 3.5.3 Training: Staff at all levels should receive formal training and instructions on handling of Bitumen All drivers of Bitumen tankers should receive regular refresher training on the safety aspects of Bitumen. Customers’ representative should be trained on the safe receipt, storage and application of Bitumen. A periodic risk assessment of the storage and handling facilities/procedures for Bitumen must be carried out.

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