Following an increase in serious incidents of explosion and serious burns WorkSafe has issued a safety alert to remind occupiers of premises where dangerous goods are stored and handled to control the risks associated with welding or cutting used flammable drums and fuel tanks.
Significant risks are associated with performing hot work such as welding, cutting and grinding on metal drums or tanks. The hot work itself can cause residual liquids and vapours to ignite, even in containers that appear empty, rinsed, or labelled “clean”.
We have seen the outcome of the risks of modifying used metal drums – obvious and foreseeable serious injury resulting from explosion or fire. In some cases, employees have been serious burnt or bystanders have been injured by drums which have become projectiles following an explosion. In others, such as the explosion at Gold Coast Isuzu, employees have lost their lives.
WorkSafe recommends that you never assume a drum is safe just because it has been rinsed or appears empty. Hazardous substances in seams and crevices of drums and tanks can turn into vapour when heated or agitated by cutting or welding, leading to potential ignition when flames, heat or sparks meet the vapour.
Wherever possible employers must control the risk by eliminating the hazard. Consider safer approaches such as purchasing a purpose-made container instead of repurposing a used drum. If you cannot eliminate the hazard reduce it so far as is reasonably practicable by:
- Using cold-cutting techniques such as hydraulic shears instead of gas cutting - cold cutting is safer than hot work but can still generate heat, so is not without risk. You must assess and manage the risks of any cutting technique you use.
- If hot work is unavoidable, ensure drums or tanks are fully decontaminated and certified gas-free by a competent person. Hire a specialist in cleaning, gas monitoring and destruction of used drums.
- Use a specialist company to perform the cutting or repair.
- Never use tanks and drums as welding or work platforms.
- Always remove bungs and ventilate before commencing any work.
- Implement a safe system of work for the modification or repurposing of drums such as hot work permits, risk assessments and procedures.
- Ensure that all employees and persons at the premises are informed of the hazards associated with cutting or working near tanks and drums with heat producing tools and equipment and properly trained.
- Ensure all tanks and drums held on the premises are correctly labelled and (if applicable) a safety data sheet (SDS) is available for their contents.
- Ensure appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), spill containment and fire protection equipment are available and accessible.
HSRs can find information about the storage and handling of dangerous goods at our OHS Reps Dangerous Goods page. Employers can refer to WorkSafe’s Code of Practice: The storage and handling of dangerous goods.
For those working in agricultural settings, WorkSafe also publishes a fact sheet with tips about what to consider before working on or disposing of tanks and drums – Repairing, repurposing, disposing of tanks and drums.
Whatever your situation, if you are thinking of reusing a drum or tank in your workplace, stop and ask yourself – What did it contain? Were the contents flammable? Did it contain a chemical? Is there a hazard label on the tank or drum? Do I really need to cut or apply heat to this drum or tank?
Read more: Welding or cutting into flammable drums or fuel tanks | WorkSafe Victoria