Physical hazards combustible liquids

Petroleum and chemical related hazards can arise from the presence of combustible or toxic liquids, gases, mist, or dust in the work environment. Common physical hazards include ambient heat, bums, noise, vibration, sudden pressure changes, radiation, and electric shock. Various external sources, such as chemical, biological, or physical hazards, can cause work related injuries or fatalities. Although all of these hazards are of concern this book primarily concentrates on fire and explosions hazards that can cause catastrophic events. 

The substitution of more benign solvents in many formulations will have global ramifications. For example, water-reducible coatings are products where the solvent system used to disperse and suspend solids is primarily water. The remainder of the solvent system may contain liquids that are classified as flammable or combustible liquids. Inherent limitations in these systems relate to product viscosity, accuracy in predicting overall fire hazard, abihty to assess physical changes of state when a product is tested, and test method rehabihty and ease of use (Scheffey and Tabar, 1996). 

Physical hazard means a chemical for which there is scientifically valid evidence that it is a combustible liquid, a compressed gas, explosive, flammable, an organic peroxide, an oxidizer, pyrophoric, unstable (reactive) or water-reactive. 

Physical Hazards are things that are hazardous because of their physical properties. They include combustible and flammable liquids, compressed gases, explosives, oxidizers, and highly reactive materials. 

Physical hazard of a chemical— A chemical validated as being or having one of the following characteristics combustible liquid, compressed gas, explosive, flannnable, organic peroxide, oxidizing qualities, pyrophoric, unstable, or water reactive. 

However, if pressure vessels are used to store flammable or combustible liquids, 1910. 106(b)(l)(v)(b) mandates that Code pressure vessel construction requirements apply. However, due to the serious hazards employees may be subject to as a resrdt of the failure of pressure vessels used for oil and gas production processing proposes, an employer may be subject to Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act which requires employers to fixmish a place of employment which is free from recognized hazards that are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to their employees. 

Physical hazards. A substance can be classified as a physical hazard if it is a flammable or combustible liquid, a compressed gas, an explosive, an oxidizer, or is unstable or water-reactive. Many physical hazards are also health hazards, but substances are grouped in this category because they have the capability ofjcausing physical damage to material. 

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