LPG, Flammable Liquids, Toxic and Corrosive Substances
LPG, Flammable Liquids, Toxic and Corrosive Substances Safe Storage and Handling
Today s focus is Dangerous substances under the Dangerous Substances Act 1979 and Regulations that require licensing, including: Class 2.1 Class 3 Class 6 Class 8 Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Flammable Liquids Toxic substances Corrosive substances
Prescribed requirements Dangerous Substances Act 1979 (DS Act) and Dangerous Substances Regulations 2002 (DS Regulations)
Class 2 Flammable Gases Division 2.1 gases that can ignite in air on contact with a source of ignition Examples include propane, butane, acetylene and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)
Properties of LPG Odourless in natural state. Odourant is added as a safety measure It is heavier than air so will sink and accumulate in low points (pits, drains etc.) Liquid LPG can cause severe cold burns on exposed skin
LPG When is a licence required? A person may keep in any premises, without a licence the following quantities of liquefied petroleum gas: a) up to 250 kilograms contained in cylinder or tanks b) any quantity provided contained in disposable non refillable containers Note: the quantity of LPG contained in cylinders or tanks will be taken to be the total capacity of all cylinders or tanks stored on the premise at any one time
How to comply If you require a licence, you must comply with AS1596 The storage and Handling of LP Gas Note. For under licence quantities, consideration should still be given to the above standard.
Safe Storage of LPG OUTSIDE!! Ventilated- can be natural or mechanical Control ignition sources Cylinders should always be stored upright Cylinders, tanks and pipework needs to be protected from physical impact Appropriate separation distances to protected places, doors, ignition sources etc. Combustibles
Class 3 Flammable Liquids Class 3 liquids, the vapours of which can ignite in air on contact with a source of ignition and /or generate a vapour, forming a flammable mixture with air Examples include petrol, alcohols, thinners, solvents, lacquers
Properties of Flammable Liquids Flammable liquids give off flammable vapours Under the right conditions, flammable vapours can ignite Heat can cause an increase in the amount of flammable liquids emitted
Class 3- When is a licence required? A person may keep in any premises, without a licence up to 120 litres packing group I or II in no more than 60 litre packages up to 1200 litres of packing group III up to 5000 litres of packing group I or II and up to 5000 litres of packing group III provided that the premises is rural and greater than two hectares Any quantity of Class 3, Packing Group I or II provided that it is contained in packaging which has a capacity not exceeding 5L and where substances as packaged are manufactured products Any quantity of Class 3, Packing Group III provided that it is contained in packaging which has a capacity not exceeding 25 litres and where substances as packaged manufactured products
How to comply A person who keeps in any premises flammable liquids in such a quantity that a licence is required, they must comply with AS 1940 The Storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids Note. For under licence quantities, consideration should still be given to the above standard. It has a specific section on minor storage
Safe Storage of Flammable Liquids Control of ignition sources Ventilation Spill control Fire Safety/Prevention Control of temperature Bonding and grounding drums and associated equipment during any transfer or decanting
Class 6 Toxic substances Class 6.1 toxic substances likely to cause death or severe injury to human or animal health if swallowed, inhaled or by skin contact Examples include calcium cyanide and lead arsenate
Class 8 Corrosive substances Class 8 Solids or liquids able to cause with varying severity, damage to living tissue, acidic or caustic in nature. In the event of a leak, these substances can also damage or destroy goods and materials or cause other hazards Examples include: acids, sodium hydroxide
Toxic and Corrosives when is a Licence required? If LI+SI + LII+SII + LIII+SIII 250 2000 5000 1 LI the volume in litres of liquids substances in packing group I SI the mass in kg of solid substances in packing group I LII the volume in litres of liquid substances in packing group II SII the mass in kg of solid substances in packing group II LIII the volume in litres of liquid substances in packing group III SIII the volume in kg of solid substances in packing group III A LICENCE IS NOT REQUIRED
How to comply Prescribed requirements in DS regulations There are requirements for small quantities (ie under licence amounts) as well as licensable quantities. For further information Australian Standard AS3780 The Storage and Handling of Corrosive Substances Australian Standard AS4452 The Storage and Handling of Toxic Substances
Safe Storage of Toxic and Corrosive Substances If storage requires a licence Protected from weather and secure Class diamond at entrance to store and premises Stored separately from incompatibles and food (note: Not all Class 8s are compatible) Tanks and packaged stores must be bunded Spill equipment/emergency equipment
Safe Storage of Toxic and Corrosive Substances If storage doesn t require a licence Protected from weather and secure For more than 50kg PGI, a Class diamond at entrance to store Stored separately from incompatibles and food Any spills must be wholly contained on premises Spill equipment/emergency equipment
Finally Having a Dangerous Substances licence is not all that you need if you store these types of chemicals in a workplace Still need to comply with the requirements of Work Health and Safety Regulations (covered in an earlier session)
Further help? www.safework.sa.gov.au For copies of the Australian Standards: www.standards.org.au