When you work with a flammable material, safety is the most important aspect of your work. There is always potential for an accident or emergency, so taking the necessary precautions to avoid them will make your workplace safer and more effective.
Consider the following tips when working with flammable materials.
- Maintain proper ventilation in your workplace. Having plenty of fresh air where flammable liquids or gases are stored or used will be essential if there are any leaks or spills. The flow of fresh air will help to disperse the hazardous material.
- Flammable material should be separated from your general storage area. If possible, keep them behind a flame retardant partition or stored in a closet. Keeping the hazards separate from other material will result in a safer workplace.
- Remove all obvious ignition sources from the storage and workspace. These can include electrical equipment, welding and cutting tools, and anything with an open flame.
- Are the substances kept in the appropriate containers? If there is a spill, proper containment will help to prevent it from spreading to other areas. Lidded containers and spill catch trays will help prevent dangerous messes.
- One of the best safety tips for dealing with flammable material is to exchange a flammable substance for one that is less or not flammable whenever possible. If you can eliminate them all together, the job will become much safer.
There is always going to be potential for something to go wrong and it’s important that everyone knows what to do if there is an emergency. There need to be procedures and protocols to follow if something should go wrong. Workers should know what to do if an emergency should arise, and there should always be a first aid station or equipment available.
If you need more information or parts for your safety system, please contact Life Safety Consultants today.
