Explaining Explosives

An explosion is actually a rapid—often very rapid—expansion of gases. Sometimes fire or a high pressure shock wave may go along with it. So tell your workers about these basic precautions they can take to prevent explosions:

• Become familiar with the substances in the workplace that could explode.
• Learn the conditions under which those substances could explode.
• Learn and use procedures to prevent explosions.
• Know what to do if the worst happens so they can reduce the risk of injury and extensive damage.

Let’s look more closely at these areas in today’s Advisor.

Inform your workers about the number of things that can explode:

• Actual explosives like dynamite, blasting caps, industrial explosive materials, or industrial gun cartridges can go off accidentally.
• Flammable materials can also explode. A special risk is confined flammable vapors and gases.
• Sparks or friction from electrical or mechanical equipment can cause an explosion by igniting explosive vapors or gases.
• A rupture or valve failure in compressed gas cylinders or large pressure vessels like steam boilers can cause an explosive release of gas pressure.
• Some chemicals can explode if they’re mixed with incompatible substances. Some will even explode if exposed to air or water.

As this list indicates, explosions happen when something goes wrong. Materials designed to explode can be especially risky and must to be handled with great care. Ensure your workers are aware of the specific explosives present in your workplace

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Train your workers on how they can help prevent explosions by following these commonsense safety procedures:

• Don’t smoke around anything that might burn or explode.
• Keep explosives away from heat sources.
• Watch out for heat buildup in containers or in the air.
• Be especially careful with explosives in confined spaces.
• Be sure ventilation equipment works properly when working with flammables or explosives.
• Clean up spills quickly when working with possible explosives.  Remove heat and ignition sources from the area.
• Keep your work area clean.
• Don’t expose explosives to air or heat when transferring to a new container.
• Use properly grounded containers for transferring flammables.
• Keep reactive chemicals away from each other.
• Don’t dump flammables on the ground or in a sewer.
• Follow company procedures to the letter when working with explosives.

Although handling an explosion is a job for professionals, workers should know what to do if there is an explosion. They have to act quickly to protect themselves and others.

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Know the procedures in our contingency plan and follow them. Here’s the basic routine to follow:

• Know where fire-fighting equipment is kept and how to use it.
• Report the explosion immediately.
• Leave the area quickly, following the route assigned by the contingency plan.
• As you leave, notify everyone in the area to get out.
• Close doors and windows behind you to contain the problem.
• Keep upwind of the explosion.

Why It Matters

• In certain industries, explosive materials and/or conditions are a prevalent hazard and regular training is required to prevent explosions.
• Many workplaces, however, have some potential for explosive situations to occur.
• As a safety professional, you need to assess the danger level for explosives in your workplace and adjust your training accordingly.