Flammable Liquids - On the job Tool Box Talks

There are many thousands of chemicals in use in the American workplace. One of the most common hazards of these chemicals is flammability. To protect you and your co-workers, OSHA has developed some very detailed regulations covering the storage and use of flammable liquids.

Not all employees require special training in handling of flammable liquids, but any employee involved in the storage, transfer, use, or disposal of flammable liquids does require special training.

Improper handling of flammables brings a great risk of fire. When a flammable liquid is spilled, vapors begin to form immediately. It is the vapors that will ignite, and which pose the greater danger.

Flammable liquid spill cleanup should begin promptly. Vapors will continue to build until the liquid is removed, and they can be ignited by a variety of sources in the average workplace.

Categories of flammable liquids

There are four categories of flammable liquids:

• Category 1 – having flash points below 73.4ºF and having boiling points at or below 95ºF.

• Category 2 – having flash points below 73.4ºF and having boiling points above 95ºF.

• Category 3 – having flash points at or above 73.4ºF and at or below 140ºF. When a Category 3 liquid with a flash point at or above 100ºF is heated for use to within 30ºF of its flashpoint, it shall be handled in accordance with the requirements for a Category 3 liquid with a flashpoint below 100ºF

• Category 4 – having flash points at or above 140ºF and at or below 199.4ºF. When a Category 4 flammable liquid is heated for use to within 30ºF of its flashpoint, it shall be handled in accordance with the requirements for a Category 3 liquid with a flashpoint at or above 100ºF.

When a liquid with a flashpoint greater than 199.4ºF is heated for use to within 30ºF of its flashpoint, it shall be handled in accordance with the requirements for a Category 4 flammable liquid.

Safety data sheets
An easy way to identify flammable or combustible liquids is through the safety data sheet (SDS). The SDS will have information on fire and explosive hazards, and will list any special handling and storage precautions.

This information was provided by: Assurance Agency