Oxygen and Hot Work

8/13/2019 Oxygen and Hot Work

1/16

Paul McCluskie May 2007


2/16

OXYGEN ENRICHED CLOTHING FIRE FINNART 21st MARCH 2007

IP was burning 8 guidepole 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.


3/16

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%


4/16

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%

Judgement

& breathing

impaired

Normal level in air

21%

23%

Sparks will

burst into

flame

Oil & Grease

will ignite

40%


5/16

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.


6/16

OXYGEN ENRICHMENT

what happens?THE RESULTS OF THE IGNITION ARE CATASTROPHIC

We must ensure ouremployees 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.


7/16

OXYGEN RELATED INCIDENTS

Industry Stats

In the period 1996 2002, 168 incidents were associatedwith the use or handling of oxygen.

Including :

5 fatalities

26 major injuries

61 minor injuries

Almost 50% of all incidents were related toHOT WORK


8/16

OXYGEN RELATED INCIDENTS

Industry StatsSummary of incidents:Year 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Activity Total

Hot Work 19 12 6 11 10 15 10 83 1 FATAL9 MAJOR

48 MINOR

Cylinder filling 4 5 1 2 1 2 3 18 1 FATAL5 MAJOR

2 MINOR

Breathing /

respiratory

5 2 4 2 5 7 10 35 2 FATAL2 MAJOR

4 MINOR

Substitution 1 1 2 2 1 4 4 15 10 MAJOR4 MINOR

Liquid Oxygen

(LOX)

0 2 1 0 0 0 2 5 0 INJURIES

Miscellaneous 1 3 4 3 0 0 1 12 1 FATAL0 MAJOR

3 MINOR

Total 30 25 18 20 17 28 30 168 5 FATAL26 MAJOR

61 MINOR


9/16

OXYGEN ENRICHMENT

PPEIT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO AVOID DANGER

FROM AN OXYGEN FIRE SOLELY BYPROTECTIVE CLOTHING

BASIC PPE REQUIREMENTS

Safety Boots

Burning goggles

Leather Gloves/Gauntlets3M mask (P3)

FR Overalls

Full-face visor


10/16

OXYGEN ENRICHMENT

PPEIT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO AVOID DANGER

FROM AN OXYGEN FIRE SOLELY BYPROTECTIVE CLOTHING

ADDITIONAL PPE

Proban Hood

Leather Sleeves

Leather SpatsLeather Apron

Leather Jacket


11/16

Clothing should be :

well fi ttingeasy 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 dueto adhesion to the skin.

Wool

Considered best

Quickly extinguishes when

brought into normal air

Remember :

IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO AVOID DANGERFROM AN OXYGEN FIRE SOLELY BY

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING


12/16

OXYGEN ENRICHMENT

Reduce the riskOpen the valve slowly -

rapid opening can result inhigh 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.


13/16

OXYGEN ENRICHMENT

Reduce the riskEnsure employees are

trained in set-up & use ofoxy-acetylene equipment.

Ensure employees are

aware of the dangers.

Carry out & record pre-

job checklists.

Do not misuse the

equipment.


14/16

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 lubricateoxygen equipment.

Never use oxygen in equipment

that is not designed for oxygenservice.

OXYGEN ENRICHMENT

ChecklistDOS

Be aware of the dangers ofoxygen

Ensure equipment is leak tight.

Ensure adequate ventilation.

Use oxygen cylinders &

equipment carefully & correctly.

Always open oxygen cylinder

valves slowly.


15/16

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


16/16

Oxygen and Hot Work

Documents

Transcript of Oxygen and Hot Work