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Health & Safety at

Work

Hazards from Aerosols
To understand the hazards associated with
aerosol products.
Understand how to control these hazards in
the workplace.
Safe aerosol handling.
Objective
Fire triangle
HEAT SOURCE FUEL SUPPLY
Hazards
FI RE
EXPLOSI ONS
MI SSI LES
Liquid Petroleum Gas as propellant

Product base possibly alcohol or
similar flammable liquid.
Hazardous
Material
The lowest temperature of a
liquid at which the vapour
given of forms a flammable
mixture with oxygen in the air
Flashpoint
Temperature required to cause ignition of
flammable liquids / vapours.
Typically greater than 400 degrees C.
Generally in open conditions (workplace)
temperatures required for auto-ignition
are much higher.
Auto - Ignition
Propellant provides about 3 bar pressure in cans.
Vapour pressure increases if temperature of can
contents increase.
Cans typically designed to survive 16 bar
pressure.
At 70 80 degrees pressure will cause cans to
burst.
Top / bottom of can distorts first.
Tin plate cans top / bottom flies off = missiles.
Aluminium cans usually split on body.
Pressurised
Containers
Fire around can heats contents very quickly.
Internal pressure rises.
Can distorts.
Can bursts.
Flammable contents instantaneously released.
Fireball created.
Can fragments ejected as missiles.
Behaviour of cans
In fire
The aftermath!
Total Devastation!
The fundamental safety philosophy which
ensures that an item of equipment can be
operated, or an operation performed, in a
safe manner with risks that area as low as
practicable
Basic Principles
Of Safety
Preventive measures i.e. prevention of
the initiation of fire or explosion.
Protective measures i.e. acceptance that
a fire or explosion can arise but aim to
control the consequences.

Decision is based on Risk versus
Likelihood and Consequences.
Basis of safety
Avoidance of flammable atmospheres
(So no hazard, or else flammable volume
insufficient to be an explosion hazard)

Elimination of ignition sources

Preventive
Measures
Extinguishment of fires.
Containment / control of fires.
Containment of explosion.
Explosion suppression.
Explosion venting.
Protective
Measures
Wrapped packs of cans on pallets, in
racking or on the floor.
Pallets moved by Mechanical Handling
Equipment or by automated systems.


What are the potential fire hazards?
Consider this!!
Ignition of leak from aerosols
(propellant or product base)

Ignition of packaging material.
Fire on MHE.
Fire in battery charging area.
Fire Hazards


Are there any
potential
explosion risks?
Cans spontaneously bursting
Faulty products
Cans overheated in storage

Cans releasing propellant to form
flammable atmospheres
Leaking cans taken into storage
Cans damaged during handling
Explosion
Hazards
Naked flames
Electrical sparks
Impact sparks
Static electricity
Hot surfaces
Ignition Sources
(Generic)
Sparks or hot surfaces from fixed electrical
equipment.
Sparks or hot surfaces from MHE or cranes.
Sparks from an impact involving MHE or
crane e.g. forks hitting nail in a pallet.
Static electricity.
Hot work
Smokers material

Ignition Sources
(Specific)
Care when mechanical handling.
Care when stacking pallets on racks.
Minimum exposure to high temperature.
Fire Protection
AVOID CAUSING CANS TO LEAK;
Wet Packs.
Smells of perfume.
MHE accidents / fallen pallets.
Checks before moving pallets.
Manual checks on individual cans.
Loading and unloading wrapping machines.
Fire Protection
IDENTIFYING LEAKING CANS;
Remove to outdoor reject bin / cage
Remove pallets to outside before breaking.
Do not move pallet with electric MHE use
hand pallet truck.
Fire Protection
IF / WHEN LEAKING CANS ARE FOUND;
IF A PALLET CONTAINING AEROSOLS IS
DROPPED OR HIT BY MHE;

Immediately STOP!
Switch off MHE.
Identify leaking cans and remove by hand.

Fire Protection
REMEMBER!
Aerosols are perfectly safe IF handled with
care.
Safe working practices and adherence to safe
working systems are essential.
Do not take risks!
If you are unsure about any situation then
cease work, turn off MHE and seek guidance.
WORK SAFELY ALWAYS!
Report all accidents, incidents and near
misses immediately.
Ensure your colleagues are also working
safely and not taking unnecessary risks.
Do not allow the pressure of work to force
you to take short cuts.

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