How to reduce the risk of flammable liquids in the workplace

Sustain

Once you have implemented the controls to reduce the risks associated with ammable liquids, it’s very important to develop an ongoing system to sustain your low risk and compliance to dangerous goods regulations and standards. Before you develop this plan, you must rst identify the factors that may increase your risk or decrease your compliance. Some of these factors could include: Increased quantities of ammable liquids stored onsite due to business growth. Changes in the layout of equipment and machinery in the workplace bringing items such as ignition sources

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into close proximity of ammable liquids Lapse in the use of safe working procedures When ammable liquids storage facilities break down due to wear and tear. The employment of new personnel

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Once you have identi ed these events and how frequently they occur, it will allow you to determine how frequently you will have to carry out certain activities to sustain your low level of risk and your compliance to the regulations. For example, when you make changes to the layout of your workplace, it is a good practice to carry out a risk assessment of that area to identify any changes and to determine if these changes pose any further risks upon your workplace. Also, if you employ a new worker, you will need to train him to handle and store ammable liquids according to your safe working procedures so that he doesn’t pose any further risk upon himself or others in the workplace. By analysing how frequently things change in your workplace, you will be able to determine how often you will have to carry out a periodic risk assessment. If your organisation is growing rapidly, you may have to carry out a risk assessment every month, whereas established organisations may only need to carry out a risk assessment every quarter. Another factor that should be considered when sustaining low risk is a maintenance schedule for your ammable liquids storage facilities. All ammable liquids storage facilities have certain features that make them safe and compliant. Some of these features include: Correct dangerous goods signage

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Compliant ventilation system Self-closing self-latching doors Liquid tight spill containment sump

If any of these features breakdown, it can make the the storage facility unsafe to keep ammable liquids. A systematic maintenance plan will enable you to keep your ammable liquids storage facilities in a safe working condition.

Another factor that is important to consider when sustaining your low risk is a periodic risk assessment or compliance check from an external assessor. An external assessor with a good knowledge of the dangerous goods standards and regulations will be able to provide extra insights and pick up things that you may not have been aware of. An external assessment doesn’t have to be a highly frequent event. A half yearly or annual external assessment would be recommended to ensure that your storage systems and facilities comply with the dangerous goods standards and regulations.

How to Reduce the Risk of Flammable Liquids in the Workplace

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