Information, hazard explosion

Information on explosive materials is given in the standards NFPA 495 (2005) and NFPA 491 (1997). Sax s Handbook of Hazardous Materials (Lewis, 2004) is also a good general reference. 

Additional information on explosibility of a material is provided by thermochemistry. All materials with endothermic heat of formation can release this stored energy upon decomposition and must therefore be regarded as hazardous substance [20]. A list of reactive chemicals and their associated hazards is given by Bretherick [21]. 

Pb as the vessel burst pressure in bars. Other sources are Baker Explosion Hazards and Evaluation, Elsevier, 1983, p. 492) and Chemical Propulsion Information Agency Hazards of Chemical Rockets and Propellants Handbook, voT. 1 NTIS, Virginia, May 1972, pp. 2-56, 2-60). 

The ineident eommander may rely on visual observation of plae-ards, labels, and manifests and information gathered during the response. Obtaining air measurements with monitoring equipment for toxie eon-eentrations of vapors, partieulates, explosive potential, and the possibility of radiation exposure is important for determining the nature, degree, and extent of the hazards [2]. 

The information to be compiled about the chemicals, including process intermediates, needs to be comprehensive enough for an accurate assessment of the fire and explosion characteristics, reactivity hazards, the safety and health hazards to workers, and the corrosion and erosion effects on the process equipment and monitoring tools. Current material safety data sheet (MSDS) information can be used to help meet this requirement but must be supplemented with process chemistry information, including runaway reaction and over-pressure hazards, if applicable. 

A nonprofit organization that is the authoritative source for developing standards for minimizing the possibility and effects of fire and explosion conducts fire safety programs provides information on fire protection, prevention, and suppression develops systems for prevention and suppression offire and explosions arising from hazardous substances. 

The first step in minimizing accidents in a chemical phuit is to evaluate the facility for potential fires, explosions, and vulnerability to other liazards, particularly those of a chemical miture. This calls for a detailed study of plant site and layout, materials, processes, operations, equipment, and training, plus an effective loss prevention program. The technical nature of industry requires detailed data and a broad range of experience. Tliis complex task, today becoming the most important in plant design, is facilitated by the safety codes, standiu ds, and practice information available. The technical approach to evaluating die consequences of hazards is discussed later in tliis cliapter and in Part V (Chapters 20 and 21). 

A mechanism of action describes the molecular sequence of events (covalent or non-covalent) that lead to the manifestation of a response. The complete elucidation of the reactions and interactions among and between chemicals, include very complex and varied situations including biological systems (macromolecular receptors, physical phenomena (thermodynamics of explosions) or global systems (ozone depletion). Unfortunately, this level of mechanistic detail is often unavailable but recent advances in molecular toxicology and others hazards, at the molecular level, have provided valuable information that elucidates key steps in a mechanism or mode of action. ... 

Professor Martel s book addresses specifically some of the more technical eispects of the risk assessment process, mainly in the areas of hazard identification, and of the consequence/effect analysis elements, of the overall analysis whilst where appropriate setting these aspects in the wider context. The book brings together a substantial corpus of information, drawn from a number of sources, about the toxic, flammable and explosive properties and effect (ie harm) characteristics of a wide range of chemical substances likely to be found in industry eind in the laboratory, and also addresses a spectrum of dangerous reactions of, or between, such substances which may be encountered. This approach follows the classical methodology and procedures of hazard identification, analysing material properties eind... 

Figure 23.1 provides a compilation of information on reported emergency incidents at hazardous waste combustion facilities and other TSDFs regulated under the RCRA. It covers emergency incidents such as fires, explosions, hazardous waste spills, or unauthorized releases of hazardous waste. The reported incidents at 24 hazardous waste combustion units and 26 other TSDFs... 

Although I had been aware during most of my career as a preparative chemist of a general lack of information relevant to the reactive hazards associated with the use of chemicals, the realisation that this book needed to be compiled came soon after my reading Chemistry Industry for June 6th, 1964. This issue contained an account of an unexpected laboratory explosion involving chromium trioxide and acetic anhydride, a combination which I knew to be extremely hazardous from close personal experience 16 years previously. 

To implement inherent safety in practice, a method to estimate the inherent safety of different design alternatives is needed. Methods such as Dow and Mond Indices are commonly used in chemical industry, but their point is mostly in fire and explosion hazards. They also often need detailed information on the... 

Chemical Exposure Index (CEI) (Chemical Exposure Index, 1994 Mannan, 2005, pp. 8/22-8/26.) The CEI provides a method of rating the relative potential of acute health hazard to people from possible chemical release incidents. It may be used for prioritizing initial process hazard analysis and establishing the degree of further analysis needed. The CEI also may be used as part of the site review process. The system provides a method of ranking one risk relative to another. It is not intended to define a particular containment system as safe or unsafe, but provides a way of comparing toxic hazards. It deals with acute, not chronic, releases. Flammability and explosion hazards are not included in this index. To develop a CEI, information needs include... 

Additional relevant information. Including other hazards not covered by COSHH regulations e.g. Flammability, explosion, asphyxiant, high or low pressure, noise, heat, cold, radiation. Arrival into department, handling and (secure ) storage. 

If the answer to Question 11 is YES, then you should make use of the information in Chapter 4, because a chemical reactivity hazard is present. The essential practices presented in Chapter 4 should be sufficient to manage this type of chemical reactivity hazard, excluding considerations for commercial explosives, which are also self-reactive materials. 

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