Hazardous and Flammable Materials Handling and Control Procedures

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Control Number: 509.02.01.003 Version: 2.0 Title: Hazardous and Flammable Materials Handling and Control Procedures Page Number: 4 of 12 environment. In this SOP, the term hazardous material is used to encompass flammable, combustible, corrosive, caustic, and toxic materials. Hazardous materials are present in almost every workplace. Everyone who works with hazardous materials must be aware of the hazards and how to work with them safely. Until unknown materials are positively identified, always treat them as very hazardous. The following are examples of common materials that are considered hazardous: Aerosols Cleaning fluids Herbicides Ammonia Corrosives Insecticides Antifreeze Defoliants Lye Bleach Explosive gasses Paint thinners Caustic acids Flammable gasses, liquids & solids Pharmaceuticals Chlorine Gasoline Yeast Flammable and Combustible Liquids Flammable and combustible liquids are liquids that can burn. They are classified, or grouped, as either flammable or combustible in accordance with their respective “flashpoints”. The flashpoint of a liquid is the lowest temperature at which the liquid gives off enough vapor to be ignited (start burning) at the surface of the liquid. Flashpoint is used to classify flammable and combustible liquids because it is directly related to a liquid's ability to generate vapor thus its volatility. Since it is the vapor, and not the liquid itself that burns, the vapor generation is the primary factor in determining the fire hazard. Generally speaking, flammable liquids will ignite and burn easily at normal working temperatures. Flammable liquids are liquids with a flashpoint below 100 °F. Under no circumstances will flammable liquids be used for cleaning. Combustible liquids have the ability to ignite but generally burn at temperatures that are above normal working temperatures. Combustible liquids are liquids with a flashpoint at or above 100°F and below 200°F. Corrosive or Caustic M aterials Corrosive or caustic materials are materials that can attack and chemically destroy exposed body tissues. Corrosives can also damage or even destroy metal. They start causing damage as soon as they touch the skin, eyes, respiratory tract, digestive tract, or metal. They might be toxic and hazardous in other ways too, depending on the particular corrosive material. Most corrosives are either acids or bases. Basic materials or solutions are sometimes called caustic or alkaline . Toxic M aterials Toxic materials, through chemical reaction or mixture, can produce possible injury or harm to the body through skin absorption, the digestive tract, or the respiratory tract. The toxicity is dependent on the quantity absorbed and the rate, method and site of absorption.