Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997 as amended

The Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997 as amended cover places of work where one or more persons are employed. e.g. commercial, universities, hospitals, shops, hotels, offices.

The Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997 as amended state that premises with over 5 workers must have a written fire risk assessment detailing the appropriate fire safety work required, though some premises can be exempt.

Following the fire risk assessment the employer must where necessary in order to safeguard the safety of employees in case of fire and to the extent that it is appropriate, provide:-

Emergency exit routes and doors;

The final emergency exit doors must open outwards and not be sliding or revolving;

Emergency lighting to cover the exit routes where necessary;

Fire-fighting equipment, fire alarms and where necessary fire detectors.

Fire Exit signs, fire alarms and fire fighting equipment must be provided with pictograph signs - Health and Safety (Safety Signs & Signals) Regulations 1996.

Employers must train employees in fire safety following the written risk assessment.

An emergency plan may have to be prepared and sufficient workers trained and equipped to carry out their functions within any such plan.

All equipment and facilities such as fire extinguishers, alarms systems and emergency doors should be regularly maintained and faults rectified as soon as possible. Defects and repairs must be recorded.

Employers must plan, organise, control, monitor and review the measures taken to protect employees from fire whilst at work and if more than five employees, then a record must be maintained.

Employers must appoint an adequate number of competent persons to assist them to comply with their obligations.

Persons shall be regarded as competent where they have sufficient training, experience, knowledge, and other qualities properly to perform their functions to conduct the fire risk assessment.

If employers intentionally or recklessly fail to comply they will be guilty of an offence.

Occupational Hazards and Precautions Oil Spill Workers Should Consider, and Heat Dangers

Electrical Safety Precautions

Avoiding electrical hazards associated with electrical heat tracing requires protective

measures in several different areas. A designer/installer must pay attention to circuit

and equipment identification, analysis of hazards and exposure to those hazards,

warnings, listing, and labeling. The designer/installer must also consider the mechanics of establishing an electrically safe work condition.

In designing, installing, or maintaining electrical heat tracing systems, the following

actions should be considered.

Identification 

1. Clearly label the outer surface of thermal insulation (after final dressing is installed). Labels should be installed on piping, vessels, pumps and similar equipment. The label should indicate that

electrical heating conductors are installed under the insulation. At least

one label should be visible from any

location. On insulated pipe lines, labels should be installed at intervals

no greater that 10 feet (3 meters)

and on alternating sides of the pipe.

If insulation is removed or replaced,

make sure that the label is replaced.

2. Clearly label any controller used to supply and/or protect electrical heat tracing

circuits and/or products. Information on the label should contain the circuit being controlled/protected by the controller.

3. Clearly label any power supply panel and/or circuit protective device used to

supply and/or protect electrical heat tracing circuits. The label should indicate

the circuit being supplied or protected. If the protective device serves as the

circuit isolation device for lockout purposes, the label should indicate this information.

4. Clearly label any power transformers, power circuits, raceways, and cable trays

or other routing methods used for providing electric power to heat tracing. The

label should indicate that the equipment/raceway supplies heating circuits.

Analysis

1. Determine the amount of electrical energy available at the source of electrical

power used to supply electric heating circuits. (NOTE: The amount of available

energy is dependent upon the design of the circuit supplying energy.)

2. Analyze the overall electrical arc-flash and shock hazards associated with the voltage, short-circuit current available, and circuit-protective device clearing time.  Consider each point in the electrical system/facility where personnel may be exposed.

3. With engineering supervision, establish the flash protection boundary by doing

the following:

• Identify the voltage level and its associated limited/restricted/prohibited approach boundaries.  Define the

distance from any potential exposed energized electrical conductor or circuit part where the incident energy exceeds 1.2 cal/square cm.

• If available energy is less than 16 kA, establish the

flash protection boundary using the formula in NFPA

70E, Part II, Paragraph 2-1.3.3.2 or in Appendix B-

2.3.2 or B-2.3.3.

• If available energy is at least 16 kA but less than 50

kA, establish the flash protection boundary using the

formula in NFPA 70E, Appendix B-5.1 or B-5.2.

4. Clearly label the electrical equipment enclosures (front, back, and ends) to show

the approach boundaries determined in the analysis. If employee is to approach

any live part closer than the Prohibited Space shown in NFPA 70E, Part II, Table

2-1.3.4, he/she must be insulated or guarded from the live parts.

5. Clearly label the electrical equipment enclosures (front/back, ends) to show the

incident energy at 18 inches (46 cm)  and at 36 inches (91 cm) from the arcflash hazard source.

Design/Installation 

1. Provide/install only electrical heat tracing and electrical power supply or control

equipment that has been evaluated, tested, and listed by a nationally recognized

testing laboratory (NRTL).

2. Install listed electrical equipment according to any directions from the listing

agency.

3. Apply electrical heat tracing and its electrical power supply and control equipment according to the National Electrical Code®

4. Provide necessary equipment or circuit disconnecting devices (for lockout) for

each circuit or item of equipment.

Vocabulary

Confined spaces:  Small areas without ventilation.

CO₂ exposure:  Measures carbon dioxide.

Irritant: Causes skin to react.

Toxic: Poisonous.

Corrosive: Burns the skin.

Flammable: Catches fire easily.

Naked flames/sparks: Sources of ignition.

Hazard: Situation in the workplace that has the potential to harm the health and safety of people or to damage plant and equipment.

PPE: Personal Protective Equipment.

Restricted areas: Places where serious danger is present, they are always locked.

Forbidden: Prohibited

Handrail: A narrow railing to be grasped with the hand for support.

Protecting gloves: Gloves made from a variety of materials to protect the hands from hazards such as chemicals, heat, or abrasion.

Helmet: A head covering of hard material, such as leather, metal, or plastic to protect the head.

White coat: A knee-length overcoat worn by professionals in the medical field or by those involved in laboratory work in order to protect their clothes and skin.

GENERAL LABORATORY SAFETY PROCEDURES

Basic Precautions

Awareness is the most fundamental rule of chemical safety. Take time to understand the safety and health hazards of the chemicals in the workplace. Every laboratory worker should take the following precautions:

1. Assume that unfamiliar chemicals are hazardous.
2. Review the safety and health hazard data of all chemicals used in the laboratory.
3. Know the signs and symptoms of overexposure and the physical and sensory characteristics (odor, appearance) of these chemicals.
4. Know appropriate procedures for emergencies, including the location and operation of all emergency equipment.
5. Avoid distracting or startling others.
6. When working with hazardous materials, have a second person nearby, or, at minimum, maintain surveillance by telephone contact.
7. Avoid leaving experiments unattended.
8. Never use unlabeled chemicals or chemicals whose labeling is suspect.
9. Always order the least amount of chemical required.
10. Use appropriate personal protective equipment at all times.
11. Use hazardous chemicals in a chemical fume hood, whenever possible.
12. Maintain equipment and inspect it regularly for proper function.
13. Use guards and shields where possible. All mechanical equipment should have adequate guarding.
14. Use safety shields when there is a possibility for explosion or implosion.
15. Store and handle chemicals in accordance with the guidelines contained in the Chemical Hygiene Plan or in accordance with the chemical manufacturer's guidelines.
16. Store hazardous waste in a closed, labeled container in as designated satellite accumulation area.
17. Dispose of hazardous waste through the University Hazardous Waste Program.
18. Avoid pouring chemical waste materials into the sink.
19. Do not eat, drink, smoke, chew gum or apply cosmetics in the laboratory.
20. Do not store food or beverages in the laboratory or in a chemical refrigerator.
21. Do not mouth pipette. Use a mechanical pipette or aspirator.
22. Do not use chipped or cracked glassware.
23. Report all accidents, even if they do not result in injury, to the principal investigator, Chemical Hygiene Officer, laboratory supervisor and/or EH&S immediately.

Housekeeping/Hygiene

The following housekeeping and hygiene practices should be implemented at all times to reduce the likelihood of accident or chemical exposure:

• Work areas should be kept clean and free from obstruction.
• Hands should be washed after every experiment, before touching any non-contaminated area or object, and before leaving the laboratory area.
• Access to exits, emergency exits, aisles, and controls should never be blocked.
• Emergency exits should be kept unlocked from the inside.
• Stairways and hallways should not be used as storage areas.
• Work areas should be cleaned at the end of the experiment and at the end of the day.

Chemical Storage and Handling

Many potential hazards are associated with the storage and handling of laboratory chemicals. These hazards may be minimized by understanding the properties of the chemicals and by developing procedures by which they may be handled safely. Simply storing chemicals alphabetically is not prudent. Flammable, corrosive, explosive, and peroxide forming agents require special precautions. Storing incompatible chemicals together may have disastrous results.

The following guidelines are prudent for all chemical storage and handling:

Chemical handling: Use bottle carriers to transport chemicals. Close caps securely.
Pour all chemicals carefully. Add acid to water, not water to acid.

Labels: Be sure all labels are securely attached and legible. Keep chemicals in their
original containers if possible. Label all secondary containers to avoid unknown
chemicals and/or inadvertent reaction. Date all chemicals, which may become unstable
over time or are peroxidizable.

Shelves: Do not store chemicals on hard-to-reach shelves. Labels on stored
chemicals should be able to be read easily. Shelves should be made of a chemically
resistant material and should have a 2-inch lip or side rails.

Incompatible chemicals: Incompatible chemicals should not be stored together. For
each chemical, the hazardous nature must be considered individually and in relation to
other chemicals in the area.

Excessive storage: Avoid stockpiling chemicals. Purchase only what is needed. Use
older stock first. Discard chemicals that are no longer needed or that have expired.

Fume hoods: In general, fume hoods should not be used for storage of chemicals,
unless the chemicals are part of the experiment being conducted in the fume hood at that time.
The exception is storage in a fume hood, which is specifically designed for that storage,
and where experimental procedures are not carried out.

Hazardous Waste Storage and Disposal

Regulations require that hazardous wastes be accumulated and stored in properly managed containers on sufficiently impervious surfaces (free of cracks, gaps, etc.).

Storage: Hazardous waste in laboratories must be stored in satellite accumulation areas.

Disposal: Once a satellite accumulation area container is filled, it must be dated and transferred to a main accumulation area or shipped off-site within 3 days. Environmental, Health and Safety is available to provide waste pick up services. Disposal of hazardous wastes and chemicals in laboratory sinks is prohibited by regulation.

Labeling: Containers that accumulate and store hazardous waste must be labeled with the following information:

The words "Hazardous Waste"
The waste type in words (Spent non-halogenated Solvents, Waste Oil, etc.);
The associated hazard in words (i.e. ignitable, toxic, etc.); and
The date upon which the container became filled.

Containers must be labeled and situated so that labels are clearly visible.

Closure: Containers must be closed at all times, unless waste is being added or removed. Open-top funnels may not be left in open containers.

Condition: Containers must be in good condition. There may not be severe rusting, dents or other conditions that could cause leaks, etc.

Compatibility: Containers must be compatible with hazardous waste stored within them. When in doubt, use the original shipping container.

Inspections: Containers must be inspected weekly by laboratory personnel to ensure that they are properly labeled, in good condition and meet the criteria described above.

Hazardous Waste Minimization

Federal law requires generators of hazardous waste to implement measures to limit and reduce the volume and toxicity of hazardous waste. Laboratory waste minimization techniques include:

Process/equipment adjustment or modification;
Toxic material substitution;
Waste segregation and separation; and
Recycling

Where possible, microchemistry will reduce waste volume and has the added benefit of minimizing health and safety concerns. The exercise of prudence in ordering new chemicals will also ensure that excess chemical does not become subject to disposal has hazardous waste.

Emergencies

Be sure you know the location and method of operation of the nearest:

Eye wash
Safety shower
Fire extinguisher
Spill kit
Fire alarm pull station

Be sure that emergency telephone numbers are posted or otherwise accessible (Operations Center, EH&S, UHS, Poison Control, Fire Dept., Police Dept., Ambulance).

Spill

If flammables are involved, extinguish ignition sources.
Clean the spill, only if the spill is manageable, you have been trained and you have appropriate cleanup materials.
If you are unable or do not attempt to clean the spill, prevent the spread if possible, evacuate the area, close the lab door, and alert others or sound alarm.
Communicate with your supervisor, the Operations Center and EH&S.

Fire

Extinguish the fire if it is small, contained, you have been trained and you have an appropriate fire extinguisher available.
If you are unable or do not attempt to extinguish the fire, pull the nearest fire alarm and evacuate the building via the nearest exit.
If you are unable to sound the building fire alarm, contact the Operations Center immediately.
Communicate with your supervisor, the Operations Center and EH&S.

Chemical Exposure

Splash to Skin or Eyes: flush with water at least 15 minutes using a safety shower or eye wash and seek immediate medical attention.
Injection: control bleeding, wash with soap and water and seek immediate medical attention.
Ingestion: call Poison Control and seek immediate medical attention.
Inhalation: stop emission if possible, alert others or sound alarm, get fresh air and seek immediate medical attention.
Communicate with your supervisor, the Operations Center and EH&S, as soon as possible.

Resources

You will also find additional information and resources at the Department of Environmental Health and Safety web page at www.uos.harvard.edu/ehs/.

Guidance on risks and precautions to be considered for bulk liquid Loading and unloading operations in road transport

Continuous efforts to enhance safety during transport of chemicals and the associated handlings are part of the overall aim to improve the safety performance of both the chemical industry and the transport industry. analysis of accident statistics indicates that a substantial number of transport related incidents happen during loading and unloading operations. it is therefore essential that proper use is being made of appropriate equipment during these operations

Incorrect ways of loading chemicals

Correct ways of loading chemicals

 Incorrect way of unloading chemicals

  Correct way of unloading chemicals