Nonsparking equipment

The material should be stored in corrosion-resistant containers, away from alkaline or strong oxidizing materials. In the event of a spill or leak, nonsparking equipment should be used, and dusty conditions should be avoided. Spills should be covered with soda ash, then flushed to drain with large amounts of water (5). 

Standard safety procedures include attention to such matters as intraline distances to minimize explosion propagation, cleanliness, nonsparking equipment and explosion-proof motors, and location in selected areas away from the heavily populated areas. The development of continuous processes for explosive manufacture that use extensive automatic controls and minimize in-line quantities has contributed significantly to decreasing the hazards of operations. 

Various protection techniques can be used to prevent electrical equipment from becoming an ignition source. Explosion-proof enclosures, pressurized and purged equipment, and intrinsically safe circuits can be used in Division 1 and Division 2 locations. Nonsparking equipment can be used in Division 2 locations. Details of the types of equipment permitted in each classified location are given in NFPA 70. 

Although acetylene is considered to be a material having a very low toxicity, a threshold limit value (TLV) of 2500 ppm has been estabUshed by NIOSH. In the presence of a small amount of water carbide may become incandescent and ignition of the evolved air—acetylene mixture may occur. Nonsparking tools should be used when working in the area of acetylene-generating equipment. 

A 2% beryhium mixture with copper produces a unique ahoy of bron2B that is six times stronger than copper metal. This ahoy does not give off sparks when struck with a hammer—a valuable characteristic when metals must be used in explosive gaseous envitonments. This ahoy sometimes contains smah amounts of other metals such as nickel or cobalt, which makes for excellent electrical conductivity for switching equipment, given the ahoy s simultaneous hardness and nonsparking qualities. Beryhium is also transparent to X-rays, which makes it ideal for windows for X-ray tubes. 

To protect against the explosion and fire hazard, a plant manager should (a) have qualified plant personnel field monitor for explosive atmospheres and flammable vapors, (b) keep all potential ignition sources away from an explosive or flammable environment, (c) use nonsparking, explosion-proof equipment, and (d) follow safe practices when performing any task that might result in the agitation or release of chemicals. 

When volatile flammable materials may be present, use only intrinsically safe nonsparking electrical equipment, which is not liable to overheat. 

The addition of 2<>/o beryllium to copper forms an alloy that is six times stronger than copper is. This alloy is used for nonsparking tools, critical moving parts in jet engines, and components in precision equipment. 

Use Electrical switch parts, watch springs, optical alloys, electronic equipment, valves and parts, spotwelding electrodes, nonsparking tools, springs and diaphragms, shims, cams, and bushings. 

To prevent accidental ignition of mercaptan vapors, employees working in handling and storage areas should not wear metal heel- or toe-plates on shoes. Nonsparking tools should be used when working on mercaptan equipment or containers. 

Sec-Butylamine Safety goggles rubber gloves and apron respiratory protective equipment nonsparking shoes. Remove patient from exposure keep him quiet contact physician. Remove all contaminated clothing flood all affected areas with large quantities of water consult a physician. Rush thoroughly with water for 15 minutes call physician immediately. 

PERSONAL PROTECTION wear impervious protective clothing, including boots, thermally protective gloves, lab coat, leather apron or coveralls wear approved chemical safety goggles enclose operations and use local exhaust ventilation at site of chemical release use nonsparking type tools and explosion proof electrical equipment appropriate respirators are needed in areas where exposure would be above the permissible exposure level use self-contained breathing apparatus in oxygen-deficient atmospheres maintain eyewash fountains and safety showers in work area. 

Flammable solvents. Fast action is crucial when a flammable solvent of relatively low toxicity is spilled. This category includes petroleum ether, pentane, diethyl ether, dimethoxyethane, and tetrahydrofuran. Other workers in the laboratory should be alerted, all flames extinguished, and any spark-producing equipment turned off. In some cases the power to the laboratory should be shut off with the circuit breaker, but the ventilation system should be kept running. The spilled solvent should be soaked up with spill absorbent or spill pillows as quickly as possible. These should be sealed in containers and disposed of properly. Nonsparking tools should be used in cleanup. 

Equip motor-driven electrical equipment used in a laboratory where volatile flammable materials may be present (e.g., a hydrogenation room) with either nonsparking induction motors that meet Class 1, Division 2, Group C-D electrical standards (U.S. DOC, 1993) or air motors instead of series-wound motors that use carbon brushes, such as those generally used in vacuum pumps, mechanical shakers, stirring motors,... 

Equip workers with static-resistant clothing and nonsparking tools when necessary for handling flammable materials. 

If activated carbon is accidentally released, remove all sources of ignition. Ventilate area of leak or spill. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment. Clean up spills in a manner that does not disperse dust into the air. Use nonsparking tools and equipment. Reduce airborne dust and prevent scattering by moistening with water. Pick up spill for recovery or disposal and place in a closed container. Spent product may have absorbed hazardous materials. 

Use of mechanical equipment to move vapors should be minimized. If it has to be used then it should be nonsparking. 

Ignition Caused by Glancing Blows. Friction can cause ignition in other ways. Sparks may occur when two hard materials come in contact with each other in a glancing blow (the blows must be glancing to produce friction sparks). These kinds of sparks are not directly related to frictional impact. Hand and mechanical tools are the most likely sources of friction sparks that occur outside of equipment. The need for nonsparking tools is somewhat controversial Bodurtha states that it is extremely unlikely that anyone would be using tools in a flammable atmosphere, and it is usually more prudent to control the atmosphere than the tools. Sparkproof tools are not really sparkproof in all situations. 

Coal Mine Machinery. The use of aluminum equipment in coal mines has increased in recent years. Applications include cars, tubs, and skips, roof props, nonsparking tools, portable jackl s, and shaking con-v ors. Aluminum is resistant to the corrosive conditions associated with surface and deep mining. Aluminum is self-cleaning and offers good resistance to abrasion, vibration, splitting, and tearing. 

---