Explosive atmosphere signs

[waddycall]

We have several areas at work that have explosive atmosphere signs at the entrance. Every day we go in to these areas, turn on lights, spark up blow lamps etc. There’s a load of distribution boards in one of the areas.
The signs went up about a year ago but we’ve not had any training. Surely if a signs needed there should be precautions prior to doing anything that might cause a source of ignition e.g. turning on the lights.
I’ve asked for some clarity on this from our internal health and safety people as well as the health and safety consultants we use and not heard anything.
It seems crazy to me but maybe I’m wrong and this is how it’s meant to be. Encouraging people to ignore explosive atmosphere signs is crazy.
Any H&S people able to shed some light on this?

 

[Barking Mat]

Calling @Parm

 

[Erie Fred]

It might be the opposite of normal thinking.
"Don't bring flammable liquids/gasses/vapors in here, as there
is ignition sources contained within"

 

[Parm]

We have several areas at work that have explosive atmosphere signs at the entrance. Every day we go in to these areas, turn on lights, spark up blow lamps etc. There’s a load of distribution boards in one of the areas.
The signs went up about a year ago but we’ve not had any training. Surely if a signs needed there should be precautions prior to doing anything that might cause a source of ignition e.g. turning on the lights.
I’ve asked for some clarity on this from our internal health and safety people as well as the health and safety consultants we use and not heard anything.
It seems crazy to me but maybe I’m wrong and this is how it’s meant to be. Encouraging people to ignore explosive atmosphere signs is crazy.
Any H&S people able to shed some light on this?

Those signs will have almost certainly gone up after a DSEAR assessment. If the findings of said assessment haven’t been shared then this is worrying because how are you to take precautions, adjust working environment etc etc etc without any communication

Both your internal H&S and consultants should be able to answer any questions about this

 

[waddycall]

Those signs will have almost certainly gone up after a DSEAR assessment. If the findings of said assessment haven’t been shared then this is worrying because how are you to take precautions, adjust working environment etc etc etc without any communication

Both your internal H&S and consultants should be able to answer any questions about this

Thanks Parm, kind of as I thought.

 

[Barking Mat]

Those signs will have almost certainly gone up after a DSEAR assessment. If the findings of said assessment haven’t been shared then this is worrying because how are you to take precautions, adjust working environment etc etc etc without any communication

Both your internal H&S and consultants should be able to answer any questions about this

He's your man....

 

[bourbon]

Yes, @Parm is the man for H&S. But I will remind every one. When he has given a professional opinion. People have thought they know better, and argued with him. which IMHO is just plain wrong.

 

[Dev]

I’ve asked for some clarity on this from our internal health and safety people as well as the health and safety consultants we use and not heard anything.

In writing/by email?

 

[addjunkie]

I agree with @Parm , but just out of interest what is in the areas where the signs are? What work control do you use when rocking up with your blow lamp for example

 

[waddycall]

In writing/by email?

Email and verbal. Not sure of the relevance.

 

[waddycall]

I agree with @Parm , but just out of interest what is in the areas where the signs are? What work control do you use when rocking up with your blow lamp for example

There are some bottles of flammable gas - propane and acetylene. These fuel the torches we use in those areas. There is no work control. This is my point. The first thing we do is walk in and turn on the lights. The areas are workshops.

 

[addjunkie]

There are some bottles of flammable gas - propane and acetylene. These fuel the torches we use in those areas. There is no work control. This is my point. The first thing we do is walk in and turn on the lights. The areas are workshops.

So nothing to create the flammable atmosphere apart from the contents of the bottles you use, should it leak into the area.

 

[Barking Mat]

Email and verbal. Not sure of the relevance.

If you do it by email, you have evidence, over the phone less so, unless you record it.

 

[Dev]

Indeed. If something unfortunate happens everyone is very quick to say “i wasn’t aware there was an issue” unless it’s recorded that they were.

 

[Robotstar5]

The first time I saw those signs I wouldn't enter until I had it in writing it was safe me me to proceed, had something similar when we were having some new equipment at my last place, there was a CDM barrier blocking access to one of our control panels, called my supervisor as I didn't have CDM training, his attitude was "don't be so stupid" and went in himself to do the job

 

[Guzrik]

We have lots (a 100?) of handheld and stationairy gasdetectors at work, for every type of gas used at the labs.
I'm a member of the first response team as well and there we have more general sensors for oxygenlevel and combustable gasses.
We also have atex zones where it is mandatory to carry the handhelds.

 

[Popcorn]

We had them in the Processor Dark Room where I used to work, you could only see them when you turned the lights on...........

 

[Hitch]

Risk assessments should be done... control measures put in place of necessary...
They should be providing staff with relevant information and how to work safely.

We get involved in powder plants and distilleries a fair bit, both have areas which can become explosive under certain conditions.

The distilleries take it particularly seriously, to the extent they will ship substances off site during shut downs, venting, gas monitoring in place Etc... that then removes a lot of the risk to allow things like cutting and welding despite a yellow warning sign or two.

 

[brightspark]

there was a gas leak outside our house on the main road it stunk . guys turned up and dug down with a mini digger and a guy with a spade to dig round the pipe .signs either end danger no naked flames guy was down there digging away with a fag in his mouth puffing away happy as a pig in sh.it

 

[waddycall]

So nothing to create the flammable atmosphere apart from the contents of the bottles you use, should it leak into the area.

Yes, exactly