Safety and fire protection engineers are well aware of the hazardous properties of flammables. While detailed and comprehensive programs exist to ensure their safe storage and use, even excellent safety programs suffer if there isn’t a periodic survey to make certain that correct procedures are being followed and proper protective equipment is being used.
Conducting such a survey need not be difficult, time-consuming or expensive. The “Quik Chek” system is a simple and quick reference plan to generate awareness, at a very basic level, of the most common safety issues related to flammable and hazardous liquids storage and use.
It begins by determining where your flammable liquids are received, stored and used and then visiting these areas.
“Quik Chek” your flammable liquid cabinets - do the doors latch properly? If not, you are faced with a code violation and must replace the cabinets. Have holes been drilled into the cabinet? Has a padlock hasp been added? Have screws been attached? If so, you have not only created unsafe conditions, but the modifications have voided the cabinet’s FM certification, requiring it to be removed from service and replaced.
Are unapproved cans and liquids stacked on or around the cabinet? If so, you need additional storage cabinets as well as safety cans. Where are your metal and plastic drums? “Chek” them-are they sitting directly on the floor or on wooden transport pallets? Are they sitting open without lids? If you answered “yes” to one of these questions, you are in violation of EPA regulations. The solution: spill centers, spill containment pallets and approved drum lids.