Worker Dies While Cutting a Metal Tank

WHAT HAPPENED?
Recently a worker died when a 4500 litre fuel tank he was cutting with an angle grinder exploded. The tank had been stored in the ground for a number of years and had recently been removed for disposal. The employee was cutting the fuel tank to ready it for  transport. Sparks or heat from the angle grinder may have ignited residual vapours in the tank, which then exploded.

CAUSES OF EVENT:

  • The fuel tank may have previously contained a highly flammable liquid and possible chemical residue.
  • Angle grinders produce ignition sources such as heat and sparks.
  • There was no labelling on the tank to indicate the type of fuel that had been stored, nor information that it had been purged, cleaned.

CORRECTIVE ACTIONS:

  • Do not use angle grinders or any other heat-producing equipment such as welders to cut metal tanks or drums that have or may have contained flammable or combustible liquids or flammable gases.
  • There is any doubt about the previous contents of a tank or drum, have the contents tested for chemical makeup.
  • Make sure tanks and drums are recycled by specialist cleaning companies.
  • Have Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) available for all hazardous substances at the workplace and provide this information to all employees who are likely to be exposed to these substances.
  • Provide adequate training and instruction to ensure that employees understand the MSDS information, especially employees who have limited understanding of English.
  • Treat all tanks and drums as hazardous or having contained an explosive substance or vapour.

RELEVANT LEGISLATION:

  • General Safety Regulation 4. Use and Storage of Flammable Liquids.—(1) No employer shall require or permit any person to work in a place where the vapour of any flammable liquid is generated to such an extent that it constitutes an actual or potential fire or  explosion hazard
  • General Safety Regulation 5. Work in Confined Spaces.—(1) An employer shall take steps to ensure that a confined space is entered only after the air has been tested and evaluated by a person who is competent to pronounce on the safety thereof.