How To Prevent The Big Bang
Article Guide available at www.means-of-escape.com/fire-resource-centre/guides/
Article & Guide produced by Means Of Escape in association with www.hazardousstorage4u.co.uk
In the wide ranging multitude of Fire Safety concerns we often explore the well known yet smaller and more general risks, miss-use of Fire Doors, correct application of Fire Extinguishers, correct use of Safety Signs, but not often do we talk about those that are high risk?s and so obviously and immediately a Fire Safety threat that of Flammable Substances.
Galactic Alliance
The primary legislation which governs the use and storage of flammable substances is the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR). It was brought in as a result of the Health And Safety At Work Act (HASAW).
Enforcing compliance with the above regulations is the responsibility of the government body, The Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Local Fire Authorities (LFA), enforcers of the Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order (RRFSO), take a secondary role but with the two working close together none the less.
DSEAR regulations pertain to protecting against risks from fire, explosion and similar occurrences that arise from the use or presence of dangerous substances in the workplace. Regulations apply to both employers and the self employed.
Identifying Cosmic Hazards
What qualifies as a dangerous substance may surprise you. The obvious substances are fuels or fuel gases such as liquid petroleum gas (LPG).
Less obvious are things such as paint thinners, solvents, adhesives, rubber cement, hair spray, and some polishes are all often highly flammable. Some when exposed to air evaporate causing dangerous gases to accumulate.
Another risk, unknown to many, is that of explosive dusts. Work process's that involve wood will often generate large amounts of wooden dust particles.
A small spark or flame will not set fire to a section of timber in just a few seconds of exposure but if you consider a particle of wood, incredibly tiny and many of them in a dust cloud, just a small spark or flame can easily cause one to ignite and begin a chain reaction flash fire on a microscopic scale. The result of which can be the setting fire to the entire atmosphere in a workplace causing changes in pressure and likely an explosion.
Interstellar Guidelines
Below are some of the main requirements of DSEAR regulations:-
1. Carry out a risk assessment of any work activities involving dangerous substances and record the findings if you have a workforce greater than 5
2. Provide measures to eliminate or reduce risks as far as is reasonably practicable
3. Provide equipment and procedures to deal with accidents and emergencies
4. Provide information and training to employees
5. Classify places where explosive atmospheres may occur into zones and mark the zones where necessary
Further information regarding the risk assessment can be found on the HSE website.
Universal Truths
For working safely with flammable substances the HSE recommends following five main principles of safety.
Ventilation
- Good ventilation will mean that any vapours given off from a spill, leak or release from any process, will be rapidly dispersed.
Ignition
- Ignition sources can be vary varied and they include sparks from electrical equipment or welding and cutting tools, hot surfaces, open flames from heating equipment, smoking materials.
Containment
- If you have a spill will it be contained and prevented from spreading to other parts of the work area? Use of lidded containers and spillage catchment trays, for example, can help to prevent spillages spreading.
Exchange
- Can you exchange a highly flammable substance for a less flammable one? Can you eliminate flammable substances from the process altogether? You may be able to think of other ways of carrying out the job more safely.
Separation
- Are flammable substances stored and used well away from the other processes and general storage areas? Can they be separated by a physical barrier, wall or partition? Separating your hazards in this manner will contribute to a safer workplace.
Don't allow a poor safety ethic to become one of your VICES.
Ventilation, Ignition, Containment, Exchange, Separation.... VICES!
Cosmological Repercussions
Although there is a crossover of jurisdiction with regards to the RRFSO and DSEAR it is not overly complicated and can essentially be clarified as such. The RRFSO is concerned with general fire safety precautions.
As part of the RRFSO fire risk assessment it should be identified that a specialist risk is present requiring a DSEAR assessment to be conducted.
The DSEAR assessment findings should be actioned in accordance with the regulations and relevant guidance, with any changes that are made to work practices as a result re-assed under the RRFSO to see if they have affected general fire safety pre-cautions.
RRFSO Risk Assessment
- Specialist Risk Identified falling within DSEAR regulations
- Conduct DSEAR Risk Assessment
- Action Findings
- Re-Assess Area and Risks under RRFSO guidelines
Contained in this article is the briefest outlining of a company's and an individual's duties under the applicable legislation. The Health and Safety executive provides comprehensive information on duties under the regulations and extensive guidance on how to conduct your risk assessment.
Ensure to educate yourself further and comprehensively in order to maintain a safe work place for others and ultimately for yourself.
Remember, careful consideration, attention to detail and education in the subject matter ensures a work place is carefully assessed regardless of the governing legislation. However, specialist risk does require special consideration.
For queries regarding flammable materials storage please contact
flammablestorage@means-of-escape.com
For a handy and easy to use training guide for managing flammable materials please visit www.means-of-escape.com/fire-resource-centre/guides/
Guide & Article produced in association with:-
Central Source Limited trading as
Hazardous Storage 4U
Harris House
Moorbridge Road East
Bingham
Nottinghamshire
NG13 8GG
Footnotes
(1) HSE - Guide to Flammable Substances
(2) HSE - Guide to DSEAR
© Copyright 2011 Means Of Escape Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy
Copyright © 2011 Think Agency - Website Designers Kent