OKI PULP & PAPER MILL Project No.

P-OkiPL1
PROJECT
[OKIPL1] Document No. P-OkiPL1-100-01-FRM-XXX
Revision 00
Page 1 of 9
Handling of Vaporising Liquids
Issue Date February 10, 2016

HANDLING OF VAPORISING LIQUIDS

CONTENTS

FOREWORD

1. SCOPE

2. DEFINITIONS

3. IDENTIFICATION OF PLANT AND APPARATUS

4. DANGERS

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 OKI PULP & PAPER MILL Project No. P-OkiPL1
PROJECT
[OKIPL1] Document No. P-OkiPL1-100-01-FRM-XXX
Revision 00
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Handling of Vaporising Liquids
Issue Date February 10, 2016

5. HEALTH AND SAFETY

6 GENERAL PROPERTIES OF DEGREASING AGENTS AND CHLORINATED

HYDROCARBONS

7. STORAGE

8. PRECAUTIONS FOR HANDLING DEGREASING AGENTS AND FREONS

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[OKIPL1] Document No. P-OkiPL1-100-01-FRM-XXX
Revision 00
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Handling of Vaporising Liquids
Issue Date February 10, 2016

FOREWORD

Various degreasing agents, solvents and chlorinated hydrocarbons are used on

Power Plants for general purpose cleaning and maintenance.

Degreasing agents used may include highly flammable liquids such as kerosene
and toxic solvents such as trichloroethylene as well as special products supplied by
various manufacturers.

Chlorinated hydrocarbons are also used a refrigerant in air conditioning systems

but are being replaced with more compatible environmental friendly refrigerants.

The storage, handling and use of such chemicals is potentially hazardous to

personnel. Therefore suitable safety precautions must be undertaken to protect
personnel from danger while using or handling the chemicals. These safety
precautions will be reflected by complying with The Control of Substances
Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations.

1. SCOPE

This Code of Practice covers all vaporising liquids used as degreasing

agents, chlorinated hydrocarbons and solvents used for general purpose
cleaning, process system cleaning, maintenance and repair. The Code of
Practice is aimed at preventing harmful exposure of personnel to substances
hazardous to health at work. It complies with The Control of Substances
Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 1988. The underlying principle of
this Regulation in that exposure to substances hazardous to health must,
where reasonably practicable, be prevented. This can be achieved by totally
eliminating the substance, using a less hazardous substance, or by totally
enclosing the process. Where prevention of exposure is not reasonably
practicable then it must be adequately controlled by engineering and
administrative means or, as a last resort by Personal Protective Equipment.

2. DEFINITIONS

Terms printed in bold type are as defined the SZC Safety Rules.

3. PLANT AND APPARATUS IDENTIFICATION

Plant and Apparatus identification on which work or testing is to be

carried out must be readily identifiable or have fixed to it a means of
identification which will remain effective throughout the course of work.

4. DANGERS

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[OKIPL1] Document No. P-OkiPL1-100-01-FRM-XXX
Revision 00
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Handling of Vaporising Liquids
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The use of any degreasing agent, chlorinated hydrocarbon and solvent is a

potential health hazard. They can be absorbed through the skin, enter the
eyes or be inhaled into the lungs. They may cause permanent damage to
some organs of the body.

5. HEALTH AND SAFETY

a) Hazard assessment information together with the prevention and

control measures shall be produced for each substance stored, used
and identified as a substance hazardous to health in accordance with
the implementation of The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health
(COSHH) Regulations 1988.
b) Information, instruction and training shall be given to personnel who
may be exposed to substances hazardous to health.

c) All personnel shall comply with the hazard assessment information

prevention and control measures provided for the identified corrosive
substances.

d) Where a vaporising liquid for which a Maximum Exposure Limit (MEL)

is specified the exposure of personnel must be controlled to as low as
reasonably practicable but within the limit imposed by the Maximum
Exposure Limit. In particular they shall :-

Wear, in the proper manner the Personal Protective Equipment

provided.

Remove Personal Protective Equipment which could cause

contamination and pose a risk to health before eating, drinking or
smoking.

Practise a high standard of hygiene and make proper use of the

facilities provided for washing, showering eating and drinking.

Report immediately any defective Personal Protective Equipment or

deficiency in maintaining the laid down prevention and control
measures.

6. GENERAL PROPERTIES OF DEGREASING AGENTS AND CHLORINATED

HYDROCARBONS

a) Degreasing agents

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[OKIPL1] Document No. P-OkiPL1-100-01-FRM-XXX
Revision 00
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Handling of Vaporising Liquids
Issue Date February 10, 2016

i) Three main types of degreasing agents are currently available.

The first type is hydrocarbon solvents such as kerosene.

ii) Another type is the special synthetic products supplied by

various manufacturers under a trade name e.g. Applied
Chemicals and Carbosolve Super.

iii) The third type is chlorinated hydrocarbon which includes 1,11 -

trichloroethane CH3 CCl3 and trichloroethene CHCLCCL2. These
are most commonly used for oil system flushing.

b) Hydrocarbon solvent

i) Most hydrocarbon solvents are highly flammable with low flash

points by kerosene 37.7 - 65c.

ii) Hydrocarbon vapours form an explosive mixture with air e.g.

the explosion range in air for kerosene in .7% to 5.0%. These
liquids are skin irritants on prolonged contact whilst their
vapours have a narcotic effect on prolonged exposure.

c) Carbosolve Super.

i) Carbosolve super is a typical synthetic proprietary product of

the Maxwell Chemical Co. It is a degreasing agent. It is a
mixture of organic solvents, detergents, penetrating agents
with a water seal.

ii) The major hazardous ingredients are as follows :-

1. Methylene chloride 54%

2. Cresylic acid 14%
3. Sodium chromate 1%

iii) It is insoluble in water and with a strong odour. It will not burn
or support combustion. However, corrosive and toxic gases
possibly phosgene (a highly toxic gas) may be produced in case
of fire. It will cause irritation to the eyes and skin, and is a
suspect carcinogen. Its vapour has a narcotic effect. Reaction

may occur in the presence of aluminium and aromatic

compounds and hence contact with light metals and extreme
heat should be avoided.

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[OKIPL1] Document No. P-OkiPL1-100-01-FRM-XXX
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Handling of Vaporising Liquids
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d) Chlorinated Hydrocarbons

i) Chlorinated hydrocarbons are well known degreasing agents

that have been extensively used in industry. Some of them are
used in refrigeration systems e.g. Freons. They are colourless,
non combustible gas and liquids. As gases they are much
denser than air and as liquids, they are denser than water but
readily give off vapours at room temperature.

ii) Recent researches show that many of the chlorinated

hydrocarbons are highly toxic and some of them are suspect
carcinogens.

7. STORAGE

a) All hazardous materials such as degreasing agents and chlorinated

hydrocarbons should be stored in a hazardous chemical store. This
should be clearly identified as appropriate with a notice to exclude
unauthorised personnel.

b) All containers for substances hazardous to health shall be clearly

identified and labelled according to the approved list of the Control of
Substances Hazardous to Health Regulation.

c) Damaged containers shall not be stored.

d) Containers shall be neatly stacked and be easily accessible. Stacks

shall not be so high as to damage the lower layer.

8. PRECAUTIONS FOR HANDLING DEGREASING AGENTS AND FREONS

a) Hydrocarbon solvents

i) Where hydrocarbon solvents are handled, adequate ventilation

shall be maintained, particularly at low levels and in confined
areas where vapours may accumulate.

ii) Flames, generation of heat, smoking and other sources of

ignition shall be strictly prohibited in the vicinity.

iii) Avoid contamination of the skin, eyes and clothing. Avoid

breathing the vapour and avoid ingestation of the liquid.

iv) A running water supply and eye wash bottle must be available
in the vicinity of work. Appropriate Personal Protective
Equipment must be worn.

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Handling of Vaporising Liquids
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vi) In case of spillage :

Ventilate the area and prevent the spilled liquid from spreading
by the use of sand or earth. Transfer the liquid, as much as
possible to a container. Absorb the residual liquid with sand and
wash the contaminated area with water and detergent. The
absorbent can be disposed of by incinerator.

vii) In case of fire :

Apply CO2, dry powder, foam or sand to extinguish a small fire.

For larger fires use foam machines or water spray to
extinguish.

viii) In the case of accident :

In case of eye contact, flush the eyes immediately with water

for at least 10 minutes. Effective flushing of the eyes is
required and this treatment may require help from others to
open the eyelids. Medical attention should be summoned
immediately. In case of skin contact, wash the contaminated
skin with plenty of water and soap. Remove contaminated
clothing immediately. If irritation persists seek medical
attention.

ix) In case of inhalation of excessive vapour, remove the affected

person to fresh air and seek medical attention if rapid recovery
does not occur.

x) In the case of ingestation, obtain medical attention

immediately. Do not induce vomiting. If the person is fully
conscious wash out the mouth with water. Do not give anything
by mouth to an unconscious person.

b) "Carbosolve Super"

i) Where this degreasing agent is being handled, good ventilation

shall be maintained. The water seal shall always be maintained
to minimise the production of volatile vapours.

ii) Avoid contact with skin, eyes and clothing. Appropriate

Personal Protective Equipment must be worn. Running water
supply or eye wash bottles must be available in the vicinity of
the work.

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 OKI PULP & PAPER MILL Project No. P-OkiPL1
PROJECT
[OKIPL1] Document No. P-OkiPL1-100-01-FRM-XXX
Revision 00
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Handling of Vaporising Liquids
Issue Date February 10, 2016

iii) In the case of spillage :

Ventilate the area and isolate the material by earth. Transfer

the spilled liquid as much as possible to a container. Soak up
the remainder with earth, allow the residual to evaporate with
adequate ventilation. Washdown the contaminated area with
water and detergent. The contaminated earth should be
incinerated with the absorbed liquid.

iv) In case of accident :

In case of eye contact, wash thoroughly with water for at least

10 minutes. Effective flushing of the eyes is required and this
treatment may require help from others to open the eyelids.
Medical attention should be summoned immediately.

v) In the case of skin contact, wash thoroughly with water. Seek

medical attention if irritation persists.

vi) In the case of ingestion, do not induce vomiting. Seek medical

attention immediately.

c) Chlorinated Hydrocarbons

The following procedures shall be observed when using or handling

chlorinated hydrocarbons.

i) The use of trichloroethene shall be discouraged to avoid

inhalation of its vapour when using it.

ii) Avoid contact with the skin, eyes and clothing.

iii) Appropriate Personal Protective Equipment must be worn. Eye

wash bottles must be available in the vicinity of the work. In
case of accidental contact follows steps Carbosolve Super (iv),
(v) and (vi).

d) Handling of Freons

i) When handling Freons, care must be exercised to prevent

leakage as far as possible. The workplace, especially confined
spaces shall be well ventilated.

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[OKIPL1] Document No. P-OkiPL1-100-01-FRM-XXX
Revision 00
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Handling of Vaporising Liquids
Issue Date February 10, 2016

ii) Appropriate Personal Protective Equipment must be worn.

iii) An eye wash bottle shall be available in case of leakage.

iv) Smoking and naked flames shall not be allowed.

v) In case of accident :

In case of inhalation of excessive vapour. Remove the affected

person to fresh air and summon medical attention if rapid
recovery does not occur.

In the case of frost bite. Warm the injured part carefully in

water at approximately 40c and summon medical attention
immediately.