8/13/2019 Oxygen and Hot Work
1/16
Paul McCluskie May 2007
8/13/2019 Oxygen and Hot Work
2/16
OXYGEN ENRICHED CLOTHING FIRE FINNART 21st MARCH 2007
IP was burning 8 guidepole from inside Tank 715
The oxygen hose was found to be punctured next to the torch connection.
Oxygen leaked from this hole and filtered inwardly through IPs clothing.
Sparks ignited the oxygen enriched clothing beneath the overalls.
IP suffered burn injury to groin area & required a skin graft.
8/13/2019 Oxygen and Hot Work
3/16
What is OXYGEN ENRICHMENT?
The air we breathe is composed of a number of elements:
Nitrogen 77.2%
Oxygen 20.9%
Argon 0.9%
Water Vapour 0.9%
Carbon Dioxide 0.03%
Other Gases 0.07%
Oxygen levels are potentially dangerous at just
23%
8/13/2019 Oxygen and Hot Work
4/16
OXYGEN ENRICHMENT
what happens?Oxygen Enrichment gives no warning tasteless, odourless, colourless
It can bring on a feeling of euphoria
You will neither know, nor care, that you are in danger
Clothing & hair can easily catch fire
Textiles can burn fiercely
6%
Death within
seconds
Loss of
consciousness
10%
16%
Judgement
& breathing
impaired
Normal level in air
21%
23%
Sparks will
burst into
flame
Oil & Grease
will ignite
40%
8/13/2019 Oxygen and Hot Work
5/16
OXYGEN ENRICHMENT
what happens?This photograph
shows a normal cotton
work shirt, stuffed with
paper and saturated
with oxygen.
Inside the shirt is a
flash bulb with the glass
removed.
The bulb is connected
to a battery to provide
ignition.
8/13/2019 Oxygen and Hot Work
6/16
OXYGEN ENRICHMENT
what happens?THE RESULTS OF THE IGNITION ARE CATASTROPHIC
We must ensure ouremployees know the
dangers of oxygen
enrichment.
Pressurised oxygen is
not for blowing dust or
cleaning clothing.
Oxygen can saturate
the material making it 8
times more flammable.
8/13/2019 Oxygen and Hot Work
7/16
OXYGEN RELATED INCIDENTS
Industry Stats
In the period 1996 2002, 168 incidents were associatedwith the use or handling of oxygen.
Including :
5 fatalities
26 major injuries
61 minor injuries
Almost 50% of all incidents were related toHOT WORK
8/13/2019 Oxygen and Hot Work
8/16
OXYGEN RELATED INCIDENTS
Industry StatsSummary of incidents:Year 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002
Activity Total
Hot Work 19 12 6 11 10 15 10 83 1 FATAL9 MAJOR
48 MINOR
Cylinder filling 4 5 1 2 1 2 3 18 1 FATAL5 MAJOR
2 MINOR
Breathing /
respiratory
5 2 4 2 5 7 10 35 2 FATAL2 MAJOR
4 MINOR
Substitution 1 1 2 2 1 4 4 15 10 MAJOR4 MINOR
Liquid Oxygen
(LOX)
0 2 1 0 0 0 2 5 0 INJURIES
Miscellaneous 1 3 4 3 0 0 1 12 1 FATAL0 MAJOR
3 MINOR
Total 30 25 18 20 17 28 30 168 5 FATAL26 MAJOR
61 MINOR
8/13/2019 Oxygen and Hot Work
9/16
OXYGEN ENRICHMENT
PPEIT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO AVOID DANGER
FROM AN OXYGEN FIRE SOLELY BYPROTECTIVE CLOTHING
BASIC PPE REQUIREMENTS
Safety Boots
Burning goggles
Leather Gloves/Gauntlets3M mask (P3)
FR Overalls
Full-face visor
8/13/2019 Oxygen and Hot Work
10/16
OXYGEN ENRICHMENT
PPEIT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO AVOID DANGER
FROM AN OXYGEN FIRE SOLELY BYPROTECTIVE CLOTHING
ADDITIONAL PPE
Proban Hood
Leather Sleeves
Leather SpatsLeather Apron
Leather Jacket
8/13/2019 Oxygen and Hot Work
11/16
Clothing should be :
well fi ttingeasy to remove
free from oil and grease
OXYGEN ENRICHMENT
Clothing considerations
Synthetic materials
Can be fire-resistant to an
extent
Can melt
Can cause serious burns dueto adhesion to the skin.
Wool
Considered best
Quickly extinguishes when
brought into normal air
Remember :
IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO AVOID DANGERFROM AN OXYGEN FIRE SOLELY BY
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
8/13/2019 Oxygen and Hot Work
12/16
OXYGEN ENRICHMENT
Reduce the riskOpen the valve slowly -
rapid opening can result inhigh oxygen velocities and
can result in fire
Carry out leak tests
using a spray or liquid
solution.Check oxygen levels in
confined spaces and
continue to monitor.
8/13/2019 Oxygen and Hot Work
13/16
OXYGEN ENRICHMENT
Reduce the riskEnsure employees are
trained in set-up & use ofoxy-acetylene equipment.
Ensure employees are
aware of the dangers.
Carry out & record pre-
job checklists.
Do not misuse the
equipment.
8/13/2019 Oxygen and Hot Work
14/16
DONTS
Do not smoke where oxygen is
being used
Never use replacement parts
which have not been approved for
oxygen service.
Never exceed pressures certified
by the manufacturer.
Never use oil or grease to lubricateoxygen equipment.
Never use oxygen in equipment
that is not designed for oxygenservice.
OXYGEN ENRICHMENT
ChecklistDOS
Be aware of the dangers ofoxygen
Ensure equipment is leak tight.
Ensure adequate ventilation.
Use oxygen cylinders &
equipment carefully & correctly.
Always open oxygen cylinder
valves slowly.
8/13/2019 Oxygen and Hot Work
15/16
References & Standards
References
INDG297 Safety in Gas welding, cutting & similar processes
HSE8 (rev2)Take care with Oxygen : fire & explosion hazards in the use of oxygen
Standards
Pressure regulators must comply with BS EN ISO 2503
Oxygen hoses should comply with BS EN 559 or BS EN 739
8/13/2019 Oxygen and Hot Work
16/16