The risk of fire and explosion from substances such as chemicals, solvents, fuels and fuel gases is ever present in many working environments. The problem occurs because as well as being highly flammable, if many of these substances are exposed to the air they evaporate, causing dangerous vapors to accumulate. This in turn poses a serious risk of ignition or explosion.
It goes without saying that this scenario can lead to major loss of life and serious injury, as well as significant damage to property. As a result, employers working with and handling dangerous substances such as chemicals, fuels and gases have a legal obligation to tackle the associated fire
and explosion risks. This means preventing the release of dangerous substances; preventing or controlling sources of ignition; ensuring that products are stored correctly; and establishing appropriate procedures for the delivery, handling and use of these substances.
and explosion risks. This means preventing the release of dangerous substances; preventing or controlling sources of ignition; ensuring that products are stored correctly; and establishing appropriate procedures for the delivery, handling and use of these substances.
Employers should firstly attempt to completely eliminate the fire and explosion risks from dangerous substances – for example, by using a non-hazardous substance. But if this proves impractical, measures must be taken to control the risks and mitigate the effects of any fire or explosion. Control measures must be applied in a priority order, starting with reducing the quantity of the dangerous substance to a minimum. Mitigation measures will include reducing the number of employees exposed to the hazard and providing staff with suitable personal protective equipment.
One area that employers should pay close attention to when preventing fires and explosions is the safe storage of flammable liquids in process areas, workrooms, laboratories and similar working areas. Regulations (and best practice) apply to the indoor storage of all flammable substances – employers must eliminate or control the risk, reduce the quantity of substances stored on site and mitigate the effect of any foreseeable fire or explosion. Three elements must be present for a fire to start; heat, oxygen and fuel, and if one of these can be removed, the risk of a fire will also be removed. Heat can be any ignition source which generates heat, such as a mechanical spark, static electricity, or a naked flame from welding equipment. Oxygen is of course present in the air, while fuel can be any flammable or combustible liquid or vapour. Some of the general principles to follow when storing or working with flammable or explosive substances at work are explained below.