Accidental releases of oils and chemicals make up a large number of pollution incidents that occur each year. Many spillages can be prevented. However, it’s important that everyone on site knows how to control a spill to minimize its impact
South Africa’s Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993, requires employers to bring about and maintain, as far as reasonably practicable, a work environment that is safe and without risk to the health of the workers. With this in mind, Spill Doctor’s range of internationally compliant products continues to support clients in the mining sector to reduce the risk of fire, employee injury and environmental damage caused by incorrect storage of flammable liquids. Our flammable cabinets, safety cans, plunger cans, oily waste cans, drums and dispensing equipment offer FM approved products along with an exclusive 10 year limited warranty. We have worked extensively to obtain the exclusive distribution rights in Africa for internationally recognized brands in the health, safety and environmental fields. Our products include “everything the client needs” to store, distribute and remove flammable liquids in a safe and legally compliant manner. We are a Level 4 BBBEE company with an extensive range of occupational health and safety products including spill pallets, non-combustible flammable stores, flammable safety cabinets, eyewash stations and combination showers.
Our range of environmental products for spill control, spill containment and spill kits offer compliance with local environmental regulations and a 5 year guarantee on polyethylene products. Although our main focus is on minimizing risks and prevention of incidents, we understand that environmental spills do occur and we are the distributors of a full bio-remedial range of products to repair damaged areas. At Spill Doctor, we offer our clients products that meet both local and international regulations regarding the safe storage, distribution and general usage of flammable and ignitable liquids.
Spill control: proactive vs reactive
Accidental releases of oils and chemicals make up a large number of pollution incidents that occur each year. Many spillages can be prevented. However, it’s important that everyone on site knows how to control a spill to minimize its impact and understand the preventative measures in place on a mining project. The incorrect storage of flammable and hazardous liquids can cause fire, injury and environmental damage, which is why environmental, health and safety specialists, Spill Doctor provides storage solutions that assist clients in safely storing dangerous substances.
Pollution prevention spill control – avoid environmental harm
Spills spread very quickly and can cause damage to the environment; and fines and clean-up costs can be expensive. To avoid damage at the site, it’s important to know where all spill kits are and how to use them. This should be coupled with an annual spill response drill to ensure knowledge of plans and how to use clean-up equipment.
Good storage practices
To ensure proper storage, mining sites should ensure that they have a spill kit on site and train its staff how to use it. The site should store liquids within secondary containment, store substances away from storm water drains and waterways, ensure storage of substances away from high traffic areas, and make sure all storage containers are labelled. Also, it’s good practice to check regularly – before and after any rain for any spillages or any flooding and ensure that the containers are not damaged or have any leaks.
Flammable and Combustible Liquids
Generally speaking, flammable liquids will ignite (catch on fire) and burn easily at normal working temperatures. Likewise, combustible liquids have the ability to burn at temperatures that are usually above working temperatures. Under the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS), flammable liquids have a flashpoint below 37.8°C (100°F) and combustible liquids have a flashpoint at or above 37.8°C (100°F) and below 93.3°C (200°F). These may include thinners, cleaners, adhesives, paints, waxes and polishes which are present in almost every workplace. However, sometimes more than one flashpoint is reported for a chemical since testing methods and purity of the liquid tested may vary. In some instances, flammable and combustible liquids such as gasoline, with a flashpoint of -40°C (-40°F); and phenol, with flashpoint of 79°C (175°F) can mix their vapours and the air begins to burn.
Flammable or Explosive Limits
The lower flammable limit or lower explosive limit (LFL or LEL) of gasoline is 1.4 percent; the upper flammable limit or upper explosive limit (UFL or UEL) is 7.6 percent. This makes gasoline flammable when it is in the air at levels between 1.4 and 7.6 percent. It should therefore be noted that a concentration of gasoline vapour in air below 1.4 percent is too “lean” to burn and gasoline vapour levels above 7.6 percent are too “rich” to burn. Flammable limits, like flashpoints however, are intended as guides not as fine lines between safe and unsafe. Most common flammable and combustible liquids have auto ignition temperatures in the range of 300°C (572°F) to 550°C (1022°F), while some have very low auto ignition temperatures. When solvent-evaporating ovens are heated to temperatures above the auto ignition temperature of the solvents used, it results to serious fire hazards, as flammable liquid can burn very fast and give off a lot of heat and often clouds of thick, black, toxic smoke. Also, spray mists of flammable and combustible liquids in the air may burn at any temperature if an ignition source is present. The vapours of flammable and combustible liquids are usually invisible, which makes them difficult to detect unless special instruments are used. Most flammable and combustible liquids flow easily and a small spill can cover a large area of workbench or floor. Burning liquids can flow under doors, down stairs and even into neighbouring buildings, spreading fire widely. Materials like wood, cardboard and cloth can easily absorb flammable and combustible liquids; and even after a spill has been cleaned up, a dangerous amount of liquid could still remain in surrounding materials or clothing, giving off hazardous vapours. These can also cause health problems depending on the specific material and route of exposure, for instance through breathing the vapour, eye or skin contact, and swallowing. Some of these liquids are corrosive, and many undergo dangerous chemical reactions if they contact incompatible chemicals such as oxidizing materials, when stored improperly. It is therefore important to check the Material Safety Data Sheet and the supplier’s labels on the containers. For all your needs in the health, safety and environmental fields, Spill Doctor, a leader in internationally compliant products will find the unsullied product for your storage, distribution and removal of flammable liquids in a safe and legally-compliant manner.
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