Please read the following Safe Work Practice.
Cleaning Solvent
1. Ensure all WHMIS requirements are met.
2. Check toxic hazards of all solvents before use. (M.S.D.S.)
3. When breathing hazards exists, use the appropriated respiratory protection.
4. Use non-flammable solvents for general cleaning.
5. Store flammables and solvents in special storage areas.
6. Ensure that proper containers are used for transportation, storage and field use of solvents/flammables.
7. Do not use solvents in areas where food may be contaminated.
Handling Flammables
- Handling flammable materials - fire prevention
To prevent fires, flammable materials must be properly managed in the workplace. There are three main ways to prevent fires:
(1) Limit the amounts of flammable and combustible materials
· Keep only what you need on-site
· Purchase materials in the smallest volumes necessary
· At work locations, keep only those chemicals that are needed for the present task
· Do not let hazardous wastes accumulate at the work site
· Store products, including wastes, used at the work site in proper containers
· Keep flammable materials separate from other processes and storage areas
(2) Provide proper ventilation to ensure flammable vapors do not accumulate
· Install properly designed ventilation in storage area
· Ensure that processes that use or make flammable materials do not exhaust back in the work site
· Ensure that equipment, such as spray booths, where flammable materials are used, are exhausted outside of the building, and away from air intakes
· Ventilation systems must be properly maintained and comply with the Alberta Building Code
(3) Control ignition sources
· Ground and bond all work and ignition-proof equipment
· Ensure that there is no smoking in work areas where flammable materials are stored or used
· Never store flammable materials near hot equipment or open flames
Use intrinsically safe and non-sparking tools
