Paul McCluskie May 2007

OXYGEN ENRICHED CLOTHING FIRE FINNART 21st MARCH 2007

IP was burning 8guidepole 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
6%
Death within
seconds
Loss of
consciousness
10%
16%
J udgement
& breathing
impaired
Normal level in air
21%
23%
Sparks will
burst into
flame
Oil & Grease
will ignite
40%
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 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002
Activity Total
Hot Work 19 12 6 11 10 15 10 83
1 FATAL
9 MAJ OR
48 MINOR
Cylinder filling 4 5 1 2 1 2 3 18
1 FATAL
5 MAJ OR
2 MINOR
Breathing /
respiratory
5 2 4 2 5 7 10 35
2 FATAL
2 MAJ OR
4 MINOR
Substitution 1 1 2 2 1 4 4 15
10 MAJ OR
4 MINOR
Liquid Oxygen
(LOX)
0 2 1 0 0 0 2 5
0 INJ URIES
Miscellaneous 1 3 4 3 0 0 1 12
1 FATAL
0 MAJ OR
3 MINOR
Total 30 25 18 20 17 28 30 168
5 FATAL
26 MAJ OR
61 MINOR
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
Clothing should be :
well fitting
easy to remove
free from oil and grease
OXYGEN ENRICHMENT
Clothing considerations
Synthetic materials
Can be fire-resistant to an
extent
Can melt
Can cause serious burns due
to adhesion to the skin.
Wool
Considered best
Quickly extinguishes when
brought into normal air
Remember :
IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO AVOID DANGER
FROM AN OXYGEN FIRE SOLELY BY
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
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 pre-
job checklists.
Do not misuse the
equipment.
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.
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.
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
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 ratingand 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.
Oxy-acetylene risk assessment