It is evident from the number of accidents/fires occurring each year in our workplaces, and even in our homes, that we have a long way to go in our basic safety training about the hazards of flammable and combustible liquids. This involves use, storage, and transportation of these fluids. Complacency or ignorance can result in the destruction of our facilities, suffering from physical and emotional scars, and in some cases death (maybe the loss of loved ones). Some businesses never recover from these disasters.
Fortunately, laws have been enacted to help protect workers from workplace dangers, such as the mandated use of a “Safety Can” when handling flammables. But what really makes a Safety Can “safe?” An understanding of basic fire principles and liquid characteristics, along with laws, procedures, and properly designed safety equipment, will result in an intuitive approach to flammable liquid safety. If it is not intuitive, a disconnect occurs — a disconnect that could eventually result in an incident.