Regardless of the size or type of your business, mishandling flammable liquids can lead to potential fire hazards in the workplace. A fire prevention plan and safe handling protocols can best ensure flammable liquid safety.
All organizations must also follow certain protocols when handling, storing, and transporting flammable liquids. Such regulatory guidelines help management and employees protect their workforce against fire hazards or other mishaps.
Let’s discuss these in detail.
How to Prevent Workplace Accidents & Injuries from Flammable Liquids
An effective health and safety program focuses on protecting your workforce against injury or bodily harm caused by flammable substances. It may also cover the maintenance of safety gear and equipment, including other fire suppression tools.
What Flammable Sources Can Ignite a Fire?
Any fire that occurs as a result of flammable or combustible liquids requires an ignition point, where vapor and air must mix. Common sources of ignition include the following:
- Sparks from electrical equipment
- Hot metal surfaces in welding
- Fumes from boilers and driers
- Open flames from portable torches
- Improper transfer of hot combustible liquids
What flammable liquid safety practices help prevent hazards from combustible liquids?
It’s always helpful to use the Material Safety Data Sheets as a reference for all the materials you work with. You’ll also do well to identify potential hazards caused by the chemical reactivity of combustible liquids. Ignition sources such as sparks, hot surfaces, smoking, and flames should also be eliminated whenever possible.
Below are more good practices for preventing flammable liquids from causing hazards:
- Prepare and train your workforce for fire emergencies and explosions.
- Ensure employees use PPE when handling flammable or combustible liquids.
- Store flammable liquids in cool areas that are free of moisture.
- Store combustible liquids away from ignition sources and oxidizers.
- Use certified containers for disposing of rags and other hazardous waste.
- Implement authorized safety equipment and labelled safety containers.
- Design and maintain a well-ventilated system to reduce the risk of fire.
How should you store flammable and combustible liquids?
It’s essential to store flammable and combustible liquids as per industrial regulations, including fire, building, and electrical codes. These regulations determine the type of storage containers and rooms necessary for managing flammable substances.
Additionally, the laws also place a restriction on the volume of products you can store in a facility. They also specify essential guidelines for constructing storage tanks and other areas for flammable liquids storage.
Secure Your Workplace Today
Having a health and safety program that protects your workforce is a great way to reduce the risk of injuries and fatalities should a fire break out.
If you’re not sure what is a flammable liquid or the potential risks involved, you must speak to a professional. At S.A.F.E Engineering, we work with industry experts who have the experience and resources to keep your facility safe and compliant.
We can help you customize a health and safety program for the proper management of flammable liquids. Whether you’re looking for a fire detection system or need help with flammable liquid storage, we can answer all your queries.
