Almost every workplace uses some form of flammable liquids. Cleaning solvents, paints, and certain laboratory chemicals are a few examples. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that fires and explosions in the workplace killed more than 200 people in 2015 and 2016. And for every fatality, there are many incidents that occur without the loss of life.
Safety cans transport, dispense and store flammable liquids. They protect workers by minimizing the risk of accidents and fires when handling hazardous liquids.
Justrite® safety cans fall under two major divisions: Type I and Type II.
Firefighters place their lives at risk to save people and property. They train to face many kinds of hazards in various fire scenarios. Besides the fire itself, the smoke is also dangerous. It decreases visibility as first responders make their way through a building to reach injured people and fight the fire.
On December 23, 2015, a hazardous waste handler injured his abdomen while moving drums. His company stored drums in a cramped storage area. The worker stretched awkwardly to grab the far lip of a 55-gallon (208-liter) drum weighing 425 pounds (193 kilograms). While moving the drum a few inches to maneuver a dolly under it, he felt a twinge in his lower abdomen. Despite some discomfort, he continued with his activities.
In 2006, a North Carolina man snuffed out his cigarette in a bowl of paint thinner, which he mistook for water. It ignited, causing minor injuries and setting the house itself on fire. Unfortunately, the fire spread so quickly that firefighters were unable to save it.
Purchasing a safety storage cabinet is the first step towards safe flammable chemical storage. Improper installation, operation or maintenance will compromise your safety cabinet. Follow these 11 tips to keep your Justrite safety cabinet just right.
No matter how careful you are when handling and storing flammable or hazardous chemicals, spills still happen - even within a safety storage cabinet. Never leave spilled chemicals in a safety cabinet. Clean them up immediately. Corrosive chemicals could damage the cabinet. Flammable chemicals may catch fire. And, some chemicals are reactive with others, creating a risk of explosion.
Navigating the requirements for chemical handling and storage can be complex. How can you be sure that you comply with flammable liquid storage regulations and standards? When is a flammable storage cabinet required?
Any company that uses or stores flammable and hazardous chemicals in approved safety storage cabinets decreases their risk of devastating chemical fires. Approved safety cabinets pass a standard 10-minute fire test. The internal temperature remains below 325 F (163 C) despite the heat of the fire.
Almost all businesses and facilities use flammable or combustible chemicals, no matter what the industry. And in nearly any type of building, there's likely an area with cleaning or maintenance supplies, such as a maintenance department, repair shop, broom closet, tool room, garage or basement. Typical liquids stored in these areas include...
