Heavy Equipment Operator (HEO) and Skilled Labourer - Final Report - Part I - Essential Skills & Employability Skills, Part II

8. Class B - Flammable & Combustible Material

Hazard/Danger

Material will burn or spontaneously ignite in air, or give off flammable gas on contact with water

May ignite if exposed to flames, sparks, heat, friction

a. Terms

Flash Point
Lowest temperature that a liquid/solid gives off enough vapour to explode/ignite if in contact with an ignition source.

Lower Explosive Level (LEL)
Lowest concentration of a gas/vapour that will explode/ignite when in contact with an ignition source.

Static Electricity
Electric charge developed by unlike materials contacting and separating from each other - controlled by bonding and grounding.

Upper Explosive Level (UEL)
Highest concentration of a gas/vapour that will explode/ignite when in contact with an ignition source

Divisions of Class B
(all use same symbol)

Flammable gas - propane, butane,
Flammable liquid - turpentine
Combustible liquid - kerosene
Flammable solid - charcoal
Flammable aerosol - spray paints, varnish
Reactive flammable material - acetylene, ammonia

b. Using flammable & combustible materials safely

Be aware of the hazards of the product - label & MSDS.
Avoid all ignition sources - sparks, smoking, flames, and other hot sources.
Store and use in well ventilated areas.
Use proper equipment - safety cans, fire extinguisher, bonding wires, storage cabinets.
Dispose all waste materials (rags, liquids) in properly rated waste containers.
Good housekeeping practices
Know what to do in an emergency involving fire or spills and the correct type of extinguisher or absorbents to use.

Reactive Flammable
Can spontaneously burn when in reacts with water, or reacts with water to give off a flammable gas.

Keep reactive flammable materials dry and away from oxidizers (including isolation from air).