Pete.
Member
- Messages
- 14,164
- Location
- Kent, UK
Went on a jobsite today to cut out some sheet piles. Going through my RAMS for oxy-fuel cutting the guy asked my what fuel it was. I said it was propane and he asked me what I was going to use to keep the bottle out of the sun. Nothing at all I said, the bottle's quite fine in the sun and in fact it has to be kept in a well-ventilated area so I can't cover it up.
Apparently the on-site safety rep (for the land/building owner) has spun the site manager some spiel about keeping the bottles in the sun could heat them up to bursting point so they must be kept covered.
I countered it with "Why aren't they covered up on the BOC lorry then? Why are they kept outside in the sun in the depot? Why are they kept in open cages on garage forecourts and why are they bolted to the back of forkilft trucks whizzing about outside all day long?"
Then I pointed out that covering a bottle is dangerous because it would allow explosive gas to accumulate under the cover if there was the smallest leak - hence why the safety data sheet says that they have to be kept well ventilated.
Then I downloaded the BOC safety data sheet and the word sunlight doesn't appear on it anywhere at all. Just 'don't allow the bottle temperature to exceed 50 deg C. Fat chance of that happening in the UK
Apparently the on-site safety rep (for the land/building owner) has spun the site manager some spiel about keeping the bottles in the sun could heat them up to bursting point so they must be kept covered.
I countered it with "Why aren't they covered up on the BOC lorry then? Why are they kept outside in the sun in the depot? Why are they kept in open cages on garage forecourts and why are they bolted to the back of forkilft trucks whizzing about outside all day long?"
Then I pointed out that covering a bottle is dangerous because it would allow explosive gas to accumulate under the cover if there was the smallest leak - hence why the safety data sheet says that they have to be kept well ventilated.
Then I downloaded the BOC safety data sheet and the word sunlight doesn't appear on it anywhere at all. Just 'don't allow the bottle temperature to exceed 50 deg C. Fat chance of that happening in the UK