SAFETY ALERT

24 April 2020
Issue Number 0120

Alcohol Based Sanitiser Incident

During this unprecedented time where everyone is being extra cautious, and personal hygiene is a key
factor in the battle against coronavirus. It is important to understand that the most innocuous of products
may cause harm even when you think it is protecting you…!!

Please see below details of an incident which occurred outside of the paper industry but is an important
learning point for everyone to consider.

Brief Details

An employee of an external company used alcohol based sanitiser as recommended during the Corona
pandemic. The person touched a metal surface before the liquid evaporated. Due to static electricity,
the vapour from the hand sanitiser ignited with an almost invisible flame on both hands. The person
quickly managed to get to a sink to extinguish the flame.

As a result of the incident the person suffered first and second degree burns.

Actions to take

• Bring this alert to the attention of all employees who work on your site.
• Where alcohol based hand sanitisers are dispensed, display flammable liquid warning sign in
addition to a copy of this alert.
• Continue to follow government advice and continue to wash your hands with soap and water if
possible. If only alcohol based hand sanitisers are available, make sure all liquid is evaporated
before touching any surfaces.

Andrew Braund

CPI Director of Health and Safety