Flammable atmospheres may be produced by flammable fuels, paint, cleaning solvents,
combustible dust (such as metal), naturally occurring
reactions that produce methane gas, or hydrogen from boiler cleaning or
battery charging. Many
deaths and injuries in the shipyard have been caused from fires and explosions
caused by flammable atmospheres.
In the OSHA shipyard standards, a flammable atmosphere is defined
as any atmosphere that contains 10% or more of the Lower Explosive
Limit (LEL), or Lower Flammable Limit (LFL) for any substance.
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Requirements and Example Solutions |
- Spaces and adjacent spaces that contain or have contained
flammable liquids or gases must be tested for flammable
atmospheres before entry. Examples of spaces are: [1915.12(b)]
- Fuel tanks
- Pump rooms
- Pipelines
- Recently painted or solvent-cleaned spaces
- Sewage tanks
- Any adjacent spaces to the above spaces
- Cargo tanks (For tank ships)
- If any space contains 10 percent or more LEL, it must be labeled
"Not Safe for Workers - Not Safe for Hot Work". [1915.12(b)]
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