PACIF has developed Safety Briefs to help municipal highway supervisors maintain a high level of safety and hazard awareness among employees. We recommend using these short “tailgate trainings” on a regular basis – but no less once a month. If you need a particular safety topic, please contact us at losscontrol@vlct.org.
Information for Supervisors
There are many flammable liquids commonly found in a highway garage. Some of the more common liquids include: gasoline, diesel fuel, oils and lubricants, brake cleaner and other “spray solvents”, paints and thinners, etc. Storing these items in a flammable storage cabinet is a great way to reduce the risk of fire in your building.
A flammable liquid has a flash point at or below 199° Fahrenheit. There are 4 categories of flammable liquids that are based on flash point and boiling points (with category 1 being the most “flammable”). For example, gasoline is a category 1 flammable liquid and therefore requires the highest level of attention when used and stored.
Talking Points for Training
Remember the lower the flash point is, the easier it is for the liquid to ignite. Gasoline is one of the most flammable liquids typically stored in highway garages (unless spray finishing is performed). Some good rules for using flammable liquids include:
- Only use safety cans or other approved portable fuel containers for all flammable liquids. Do not use random containers, plastic buckets, soda bottles, etc.
- When storing your flammable liquids, give preferential storage to the most “flammable” liquids first. Check the safety data sheet (SDS) to determine what category the substance is. Liquids listed as category 1 and 2 are the most flammable and should be stored in a flammable storage cabinet (if one is available).
- Oils and greases may be considered flammable but are a much lower hazard. These may be stored in a flammable storage cabinet, but give preference to more flammable liquids first.
- Never store flammable gases (e.g. propane, butane, acetylene) with flammable liquids.
- Keep all flammable liquid containers closed when not in use.
- Limit storage of flammable liquids to only what is really needed.
- Store flammable liquids away from all ignition sources and. consider storing away from operations such as welding, cutting and similar tasks. Never place flammable liquids or materials in a furnace/boiler room.
- Keep flammable liquids away from exits, access areas, or areas where containers may be subject to damage from vehicles or equipment. Never store flammable liquids under stairwells.
- Keep all cloth, paper and other items with flammable liquid residues (for example “oily rags”) stored in an approved disposal container with tight fitting lid. NOTE: In the past, improper storage of these has caused fires in municipal garages!!
Following these rules will help reduce the risk of fire within your facility. If you have any questions about how to store flammable liquids or related materials, please contact your loss control consultant.