Image

The Perils of Hoovering Up a Petrol Spillage

Discuss all things fire related and emergencies of all kinds.

Moderator: Moderators

Post Reply
User avatar
Messy
Grand Shidoshi
Grand Shidoshi
Posts: 3585
Joined: Wed Dec 27, 2006 8:59 am
17
Occupation: 46 years experience with a metropolitan Fire Brigade and then Fire Safety Manager for a global brand.

Now sort of retired from the fire safety game, but doing the odd job here and there to keep my grey matter working and as I hate sudoku and havent got the back for an allotment
Location: Sunny London where the streets are paved with gold ;)
Has thanked: 363 times
Been thanked: 660 times

The Perils of Hoovering Up a Petrol Spillage

Post by Messy »

Have a look at this amazing cctv footage

A cleaner using a powered floor scrubbing machine knocks a canister of petrol over (0.28) and causes a spillage. He later tried to suck up the spillage (5.04) with the machine. NOT a good idea!!

This is a great training video to point out:

> Lack of knowledge of risks in workshop by non technical lone worker (the cleaner was apparently clueless of the risk of hoovering petrol)
> Risks of storing hazardous materials in an inappropriate way (seeming petrol in vessel with no lid/or loose lid)
> The need to risk ass and only attempt fighting small and simple fires with first aid firefighting equipment (was this a small and simple fire?)
> The ineffectiveness of dry powder on a large liquid fire

https://www.liveleak.com/view?i=e1e_1500756778
User avatar
Alexis
Official HSfB Legend
Official HSfB Legend
Posts: 48800
Joined: Thu Mar 18, 2004 10:52 am
20
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlexisHSfB
Location: West Lothian
Has thanked: 2782 times
Been thanked: 334 times
Contact:

Re: The Perils of Hoovering Up a Petrol Spillage

Post by Alexis »

[smilie=smiley-faces-28.gif]
"A candle loses none of its light by lighting another candle."

Image

Hundreds of FREE Health & Safety Downloads Here
User avatar
Jack Kane
HSfB Site Grand Shidoshi
HSfB Site Grand Shidoshi
Posts: 25074
Joined: Wed Mar 17, 2004 12:13 am
20
Twitter: https://twitter.com/hsfb
Industry Sector: Manufacturing Subsea XTs
Occupation: Senior HSE Advisor for TechnipFMC & HSfB Founder
Location: Sunny Bo'ness
Has thanked: 254 times
Been thanked: 199 times
Contact:

Re: The Perils of Hoovering Up a Petrol Spillage

Post by Jack Kane »

Our job would be so much easier without people getting involved.

This also makes me think of communication between contractors and an employer. We employ a contract company to use these types of machines and hopefully we have given them enough information to know what to do in a situation like this with the chemicals they might come across on our site. I assume they do as we have a well organised spill team, but I'm going to check that out this week just to make sure.

Do cleaning companies train their staff using these machines on what to do with a chemical spill like this as standard? I don't know, does anybody else know?
Image


RoSPA Awards Ambassador and Mentor #RoSPAAwards #HSfB #Proud

There is no such thing as a "stupid" or "daft" health and safety question!
User avatar
witsd
Grand Shidoshi
Grand Shidoshi
Posts: 1086
Joined: Tue Nov 18, 2014 4:37 pm
9
Occupation: Fire safety officer
Location: Glasgow
Has thanked: 90 times
Been thanked: 264 times

Re: The Perils of Hoovering Up a Petrol Spillage

Post by witsd »

That will indeed be a very nice training video (once it's been edited down a little).

Ta very much!
We often think that when we have completed our study of one we know all about two, because 'two' is 'one and one.' We forget that we still have to make a study of 'and.'
Post Reply

 

Access Croner-i Navigate Safety-Lite here for free

HSfB Facebook Group Follow us on Twitter Find us on Facebook Find us on on LinkedIn

Terms of Use Privacy Policy