Paul McCluskie May 2007

OXYGEN ENRICHED CLOTHING FIRE

FINNART 21st MARCH 2007

IP was burning 8 guidepole from inside Tank 715 The oxygen hose was found to be punctured next to the torch connection. Oxygen leaked from this hole and filtered inwardly through IPs clothing. Sparks ignited the oxygen enriched clothing beneath the overalls. IP suffered burn injury to groin area & required a skin graft.

What is OXYGEN ENRICHMENT?

The air we breathe is composed of a number of elements: Nitrogen 77.2%

Oxygen 20.9%
Argon 0.9% Water Vapour 0.9% Carbon Dioxide 0.03% Other Gases 0.07%

Oxygen levels are potentially dangerous at just 23%

OXYGEN ENRICHMENT what happens?

Oxygen Enrichment gives no warning tasteless, odourless, colourless It can bring on a feeling of euphoria You will neither know, nor care, that you are in danger Clothing & hair can easily catch fire Textiles can burn fiercely

Loss of consciousness 10% 6% Death within seconds 16%

Normal level in air 21% 23% Sparks will burst into flame

Oil & Grease will ignite 40%

Judgement & breathing impaired

OXYGEN ENRICHMENT what happens?

This photograph shows a normal cotton work shirt, stuffed with paper and saturated with oxygen. Inside the shirt is a flash bulb with the glass removed. The bulb is connected to a battery to provide ignition.

OXYGEN ENRICHMENT what happens?

THE RESULTS OF THE IGNITION ARE CATASTROPHIC We must ensure our employees know the dangers of oxygen enrichment. Pressurised oxygen is not for blowing dust or cleaning clothing. Oxygen can saturate the material making it 8 times more flammable.

OXYGEN RELATED INCIDENTS Industry Stats

In the period 1996 2002, 168 incidents were associated with the use or handling of oxygen.
Including :

5 fatalities 26 major injuries 61 minor injuries Almost 50% of all incidents were related to

HOT WORK

OXYGEN RELATED INCIDENTS Industry Stats

Summary of incidents:
Year Activity Hot Work 19 12 6 11 10 15 10 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 Total 83
1 FATAL 9 MAJOR 48 MINOR 1 FATAL 5 MAJOR 2 MINOR 2 FATAL 2 MAJOR 4 MINOR 10 MAJOR 4 MINOR 0 INJURIES

Cylinder filling

18

Breathing / respiratory Substitution Liquid Oxygen (LOX) Miscellaneous

10

35

1 0 1

1 2 3

2 1 4

2 0 3

1 0 0

4 0 0

4 2 1

15 5 12

1 FATAL 0 MAJOR 3 MINOR 5 FATAL 26 MAJOR 61 MINOR

Total

30

25

18

20

17

28

30

168

OXYGEN ENRICHMENT PPE IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO AVOID DANGER FROM AN OXYGEN FIRE SOLELY BY PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
BASIC PPE REQUIREMENTS

Safety Boots Burning goggles Leather Gloves/Gauntlets 3M mask (P3) FR Overalls Full-face visor

OXYGEN ENRICHMENT PPE IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO AVOID DANGER FROM AN OXYGEN FIRE SOLELY BY PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
ADDITIONAL PPE

Proban Hood Leather Sleeves Leather Spats Leather Apron Leather Jacket

OXYGEN ENRICHMENT Clothing considerations

Clothing should be : well fitting easy to remove free from oil and grease
Synthetic materials

Remember Wool :

Can be fire-resistant to an extent

Considered best IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO AVOID DANGER Quickly extinguishes when FROM AN OXYGEN FIRE SOLELY BY brought into normal air Can melt PROTECTIVE CLOTHING Can cause serious burns due to adhesion to the skin.

OXYGEN ENRICHMENT Reduce the risk

Open the valve slowly rapid opening can result in high oxygen velocities and can result in fire Carry out leak tests using a spray or liquid solution. Check oxygen levels in confined spaces and continue to monitor.

OXYGEN ENRICHMENT Reduce the risk

Ensure employees are trained in set-up & use of oxy-acetylene equipment. Ensure employees are aware of the dangers. Carry out & record prejob checklists. Do not misuse the equipment.

OXYGEN ENRICHMENT Checklist

DOS
Be aware of the dangers of oxygen Ensure equipment is leak tight. Ensure adequate ventilation. Use oxygen cylinders & equipment carefully & correctly. Always open oxygen cylinder valves slowly. DONTS
Do not smoke where oxygen is being used Never use replacement parts which have not been approved for oxygen service. Never exceed pressures certified by the manufacturer. Never use oil or grease to lubricate oxygen equipment. Never use oxygen in equipment that is not designed for oxygen service.

References & Standards

References INDG297 Safety in Gas welding, cutting & similar processes HSE8 (rev2)Take care with Oxygen : fire & explosion hazards in the use of oxygen

Standards Pressure regulators must comply with BS EN ISO 2503 Oxygen hoses should comply with BS EN 559 or BS EN 739

Oxy-acetylene risk assessment

All gauges, valves, regulators, piping and equipment to be used in oxygen service must be cleaned for oxygen service. Oxygen is not to be used as a substitute for compressed air. Never use an oxygen jet for cleaning purposes of any sort, especially clothing, as it increases the likelihood of an engulfing fire. Only experienced and properly instructed persons should handle compressed gases. Protect cylinders from physical damage; do not drag, roll, slide or drop. Do not allow storage area temperature to exceed 50C (122F). Before using the product, determine its identity by reading the label. Know and understand the properties and hazards of the product before use. When doubt exists as to the correct handling procedure for a particular gas, contact the supplier. Do not remove or deface labels provided by the supplier for the identification of the cylinder contents. When moving cylinders, even for short distances, use a cart (trolley, hand truck, etc.) designed to transport cylinders. Leave valve protection caps in place until the container has been secured against either a wall or bench or placed in a container stand and is ready for use. Use an adjustable strap wrench to remove over-tight or rusted caps. Before connecting the container, check the complete gas system for suitability, particularly for pressure rating and materials. Before connecting the container for use, ensure that back feed from the system into the container is prevented. Ensure the complete gas system is compatible for pressure rating and materials of construction. Ensure the complete gas system has been checked for leaks before use. Employ suitable pressure regulating devices on all containers when the gas is being emitted to systems with lower pressure rating than that of the container. Never insert an object (e.g. wrench, screwdriver, pry bar, etc.) into valve cap openings. Doing so may damage valve, causing a leak to occur. If user experiences any difficulty operating cylinder valve discontinue use and contact supplier. Close container valve after each use and when empty, even if still connected to equipment. Never attempt to repair or modify container valves or safety relief devices. Damaged valves should be reported immediately to the supplier. Do not use containers as rollers or supports or for any other purpose than to contain the gas as supplied. Never strike an arc on a compressed gas cylinder or make a cylinder a part of an electrical circuit. Do not smoke while handling product or cylinders. Never recompress a gas or a gas mixture without first consulting the supplier. Never attempt to transfer gases from one cylinder/container to another. Always use backflow protective device in piping. When returning cylinder install valve outlet cap or plug leak tight. Never permit oil, grease, or other readily combustible substances to come into contact with valves or containers containing oxygen or other oxidants. Do not use rapidly opening valves (e.g. ball valves). Open valve slowly to avoid pressure shock. Never pressurize the entire system at once. Use only with equipment cleaned for oxygen service and rated for cylinder pressure. Never use direct flame or electrical heating devices to raise the pressure of a container. Containers should not be subjected to temperatures above 50C (122F). Prolonged periods of cold temperature below -30C (-20F) should be avoided.