FACTS
- The two primary hazards associated with flammable and combustible liquids are explosion and fire.
- Flammable liquids are particularly hazardous due to their ability to produce vapors. This vapor mixes with air and burns quickly when the flammable liquid is heated to its flashpoint or above and is ignited.
- “flammable” and “combustible” liquids, both burn readily and intensively, are explosive under certain conditions, and if not properly contained can spread fire rapidly and uncontrollably.
- A flammable liquid is defined by NFPA as a liquid whose flash point does not exceed 100°F (37.8°C), when tested by closed‐cup test methods, while a combustible liquid is one whose flash point is 100°F (37.8°C) or higher, also when tested by closed‐cup methods. OSHA defines a flammable liquid as any liquid having a flashpoint at or below 199.4°F (93°C).
- Tanker trucks are responsible for transporting a wide variety of liquid substances. The large size and weight lead to more severe bodily injury and a higher likelihood of fatalities, especially at high speeds.
STATS
- Certain industries, including oil and gas extraction, appear to be particularly risky for workers who handle flammable liquid materials. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost 70 American oil and gas rig workers lost their lives on the job in 2017, and a majority of these deaths occurred while transporting fluids.