1. BITUMEN SAFETY

2. 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).

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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.

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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

17. 3.O SAFETY IN BITUMEN HANDLING (contd)
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.

18. 3.O SAFETY IN BITUMEN HANDLING (contd)
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.

19. 3.O SAFETY IN BITUMEN HANDLING (contd)
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.

20. THANK YOU