SELECT
1) Industrial Housekeeping
2) Cutting and Welding Operations
3) Handling of Storage of Industrial (Compressed) Gases

INDUSTRIAL HOUSEKEEPING (back to top)

A good housekeeping program should incorporate a preventative maintenance attitude to limit potential sources of ignition.
Poor housekeeping and maintenance can increase the potential for loss in several ways by:

Increasing fire risk
Increasing potential for flash fires from accumulation of combustible dust and lint
Increasing chances of fire from overheating moving components such as motors
Excess friction can cause static discharges and overheating
Carelessness, caused by poorly enforced smoking policies

The following should be incorporated into a good housekeeping program:

	Someone should have direct responsibility for housekeeping and maintenance. Making a general statement that "this is everyone's responsibility" will ensure no one takes accountability.
	A safety committee should be established and regular in-house inspections conducted.
	Work areas should be kept clean and free of combustible material and process waste. This is extremely important if the process involves the use of combustible or flammable materials or metals such as aluminum or titanium.
	All rags used to clean up hydraulic oil or other spills should be stored in ULC listed metal containers equipped with a self-closing lid. Rags should be disposed of regularly and replaced as required.
	Accumulation of paper dust should be cleaned from machinery (such as printing processes) by vacuuming the equipment. Do not use compressed air discharge to blow dust away. This will put dust into the air and could result in a dust explosion.
	All processing machinery, material handling equipment, compressors, refrigeration equipment, etc., should be inventoried and placed on a preventative maintenance schedule.
	Designate specific areas for storage of all incoming and outgoing goods. All tools and equipment should be stored in designated storage sites when not in use.
	Make proper use of racks and shelving to keep things off the floor and work surfaces.
	Keep aisles clear and accessible.
	Provide adequate equipment for cleaning and maintenance such as brooms, vacuums, and waste receptacles.
	Provide proper industrial waste containers of necessary size and capacity to handle routine disposal of waste. Containers should not be overfilled so lids cannot close.
	Do not allow accumulations of packaging materials, wooden pallets etc., to be stored directly against the building.
	Make arrangements for removal of waste materials on a frequent basis to prevent any accumulations. (Information above obtained from ING Insurance Company of Canada)

CUTTING AND WELDING OPERATIONS (back to top)
The key to fire prevention when cutting and welding is the isolation or protection of combustibles. Often combustibles are not obvious, but may be exposed to sparks that fall through cracks or other openings in floors and partitions. If those sparks are sufficient to retain heat for a time, they may ignite combustibles.

The essentials of combustible control in the cutting or welding work area are the following:

1) Move all combustibles a safe distance away - at least 35 ft. (10.7 m) horizontally and be sure that there are no openings in the walls or floors within 35 ft (10.7 m)

2) If neither of the above steps is possible, protect the exposed combustibles with suitable fire-resistant guards and provide a trained firewatcher with extinguishing equipment readily available.

3) The nature and thoroughness of the fire protection supervision in the work area and the quality of the welder's training in fire prevention are essential.

4) Oxy-fuel gas cutting and welding equipment should be visually inspected and tested periodically for leaks. Check for cracked or worn hoses and damaged torches and valve assemblies.
Dangerous sparks - globules of molten, burning metal or hot slag is produced by both welding and cutting operations. Those from cutting, particularly oxy-fuel gas cutting, are generally more hazardous that those from welding because they are more numerous and travel greater distances. In a sense, they are jet propelled by the oxygen or air streams used in the cutting processes. Oxy-fuel gas flames and electric arcs are inherent and obvious ignition sources, as are hot work pieces or sections cut from the base work piece. However, experience shows these to be less frequent ignition sources than sparks.
(Information above obtained from ING Insurance Company of Canada)

HANDLING OF STORAGE OF INDUSTRIAL (COMPRESSED) GASES
(back to top)
"Industrial Gases" is a general term applied to a variety of compressed gases used in manufacturing. Necessary precautions related to the safe storage and handling of these gases should include:

	All compressed gas cylinders should be stored upright and chained in place to prevent being knocked over.
	Cylinders should be stored away from heavy traffic areas where they could be hit by lift trucks or other vehicles.
	All cylinders should have protective caps protecting the valve stem assemblies.
	Extra and empty propane cylinders for use on lift trucks should be stored outside the building in a locked cage.
	Cylinders in use in the plant should be secured in place at the point of operation. (Information above obtained from ING Insurance Company of Canada)