Highly flammable liquids and gases
A hazardous process listed in the First Schedule to the Factories Act 1948 (s.2(cb)).
Typical industries: Storage, handling and processing of LPG, hydrogen, acetylene, petrol/solvents and other highly flammable liquids and gases.
Principal hazards
- Flammable/explosive vapours and gases (fire, flash-fire, BLEVE, vapour-cloud explosion)
- Asphyxiation (gas displacement of oxygen)
Health effects
Severe burns, blast/trauma injuries, smoke inhalation, asphyxiation; secondary toxic exposure from combustion products.
Key engineering controls
Bunded/segregated storage with minimum quantities; flammable-gas (LEL) and oxygen detection with alarms; bonding/earthing and intrinsically safe/flame-proof electrical equipment; hot-work permit-to-work; venting/relief, fire-detection and fixed suppression; emergency response under s.41A-41H.
PPE
- Anti-static FR clothing
- Personal LEL/oxygen multi-gas monitors
- Escape respirators/SCBA for emergencies
- Flash-fire hoods/gloves
- Safety footwear (anti-static)
This page is a statutory / occupational-health reference for factory Occupational Health Centres. It is not medical or legal advice. Verify against the current bare Act, Rules and your State amendments before acting.