Glen Carter, chief technology officer, Justrite Manufacturing Company, is a recognized authority on flammable liquids storage and handling. He is currently on three UL standards committees and has served as a member of the NFPA 30 Technical Committee, Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code since 2008.
Our first article — published in ISHN’s May issue — discussed how the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of classification for labeling chemicals changed the regulations under U.S. Labor Law, OSHA.
It is evident from the number of accidents/fires occurring each year in our workplaces, and even in our homes, that we have a long way to go in our basic safety training about the hazards of flammable and combustible liquids.
Slips, trips and falls are one of the leading causes of workplace accidents each year. Many factors contribute to these accidents, including poorly maintained floors, the use of inappropriate products for floor care, cords or cables stretched across walkways, failure to clean up spills, and ignoring methods and equipment to avoid spills in the first place.
Even excellent safety programs suffer if there isn’t a periodic survey to make certain that correct procedures are being followed and PPE is being used.
