Explosive atmosphere signs

[Robotstar5]

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.

We had similar at JLR in the fueling booths, if the hydrocarbon detector went off it automatically pumps all the fuel out of the building back to the "fuel farm"

 

[Greeves246]

Buy a canary, send it in first.

 

[addjunkie]

Yes, exactly

The signage is almost admitting responsibility should something happen unless there is something to detect the explosive atmosphere in the first place. Are gas bottles not normally stored in a “safe” location?

 

[jimbo84]

Is it a case of somebody who doesn't really understand the area being over cautious and putting up the signs (or ordering them being put up) without fully realising the requirements of working in an explosive atmosphere and that it isn't really an explosive atmosphere, where maybe flammable gas signs would be the correct signage. That may also explain why they're a bit lacking in responding to your concerns because really they haven't got any idea themselves.

Surely if it was an area that required the signs then all the lights, switches etc would all have to be ATEX rated.

Either way you need someone of the appropriate pay grade to give you the go ahead.

Everyone downing tools would be a quick way to get the clarification required.

 

[bourbon]

But there will always be some brown nose who will carry on so as not to upset the big boss

 

[zzr1200]

But there will always be some brown nose who will carry on so as not to upset the big boss

Too true....

 

[m_c]

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

Having dealt with gas network 'engineers' in the past, that really wouldn't surprise me.
I've seen a crew give up trying to locate a leak at knocking off time, and come back the next morning to continue digging.

However natural gas isn't as dangerous as LPG, as it dissipates in the air quite easily, so unless it was a very still wind day and quite a big leak, the chances of it igniting would be slim, unlike LPG which would pool in the hole and go boom at the faintest sniff of a naked flame.

 

[bricol]

I was at primary school a long time ago when there was a big bang . . . workers digging a hole in the road outside proved leaking gas will go off with a bit a of a noise when ignited . . .Traumatised quite a few kids - bloke on fire wasn't a good look.

 

[Erie Fred]

Buy a canary, send it in first.

Yes, it's modern equiv is a "4 gas monitor".
we use them all the time, carry them in the tunnel.

 

[waddycall]

Is it a case of somebody who doesn't really understand the area being over cautious and putting up the signs (or ordering them being put up) without fully realising the requirements of working in an explosive atmosphere and that it isn't really an explosive atmosphere, where maybe flammable gas signs would be the correct signage. That may also explain why they're a bit lacking in responding to your concerns because really they haven't got any idea themselves.

Surely if it was an area that required the signs then all the lights, switches etc would all have to be ATEX rated.

Either way you need someone of the appropriate pay grade to give you the go ahead.

Everyone downing tools would be a quick way to get the clarification required.

This is my take on it too.

 

[waddycall]

The signage is almost admitting responsibility should something happen unless there is something to detect the explosive atmosphere in the first place. Are gas bottles not normally stored in a “safe” location?

The ones in use are chained to the wall. Any not in use are kept in a bottle store.

 

[dobbslc]

If it really is an explosive atmosphere in there then surely there shouldn't be any distribution boards or standard switching equipment in there.
Sounds like someone working above their pay grade doing something to make themselves look important.

 

[daleyd]

Sounds like it probably needs warning signs similar to where you get battery charging stations rather than explosive atmosphere signs, as said above that’s a different ball game really.

 

[waddycall]

Turns out I queried it a year ago by email to our internal health and safety people and still no reply!

 

[bourbon]

get HSE invoved? remember, you have protection as a whistleblower

 

[anto44]

A garage I worked for went a bit OTT on the safety signs after an inspection from their insurance company, we ended up with a no naked flames sign stuck on the oxy/acetylene bottles, not sure how we were meant to use them without creating a naked flame

 

[waddycall]

get HSE invoved? remember, you have protection as a whistleblower

I’ve raised it with my line manager and will see what happens.

 

[Parm]

If it really is an explosive atmosphere in there then surely there shouldn't be any distribution boards or standard switching equipment in there.
Sounds like someone working above their pay grade doing something to make themselves look important.

It definitely doesn't sound like the situation is all joined up

 

[addjunkie]

Turns out I queried it a year ago by email to our internal health and safety people and still no reply!

This would concern me…..what else are they ignoring!

 

[Anguz]

Buy a canary, send it in first.

Or an apprentice