HFL's in the workplace

[numpty]

Hello All, I would be ever so grateful for any info, My employer has decided that they wish to blend 300Ltrs of a Highly flammable ingredient with approximately 6000Ltrs of non flammable ingredient, being responsible for Fire safety if felt it necessary to explain to them that not only will they have storage issues with storing the HFL inside the workplace but also implications with regards to DSEAR, the 300Ltr of HFL is in 10ltr jerricans, what I am asking is, Is there a maximum safe limit when using HFL's before the above regs will need to be implemented and assuming we have safe working practices in place, Also would anybody like to give me a price for conducting a detailed FRA with regards to the above proposed blend and also conduct training for 3-8 members of staff explaining the findings of the FRA. Thanks for any help.

[Ashley Wood]

What are the liquids that they are blending? Is the blending being done in a ventilated area or in open air?

[numpty]

Hi Ashley, Thanks for your reply. The HFL is a liquid food ingriedient and adding it to a non flammable food ingriedient and water, it will be done inside a factory in an open area with 40' ceiling, the HFL has an alchol content of 50% and I was concened about vapour flumes however the are no obvious ignition points and plant is earthed and the maximum open product is 10ltrs at a time.

My post may look suspisous with regards to the recent threat of liquid bombs and I am also not mixing my own Bio fuel, so well done if you have looked at this post with caution. Thanks again to all for your help. Steve.

[ian gough]

There are two issues here: storage and process - the latter is certainly the responsibility of the HSE. However, if the premises have a fire certificate then you should notify the local fire authority.

[numpty]

Hi Ian, Thanks for your interest in this post, I fully understand your concerns with storage and processing, the HFL in question is currently stored outside however it needs to be stored in chilled conditions, we are looking into storing inside and are looking at compartmentation and small sprinkler system along with the already in place AFD, MCP's, localized firefighting equipment and spill control, We will be looking at specialized advice with regards to processing. Our Fire certificate is now obsolete and the new FSO has made more of an emphasis for us to carry out our own assessment of the situation as a whole and dare I say it without causing too much of a bad feeling with the Fire Service, a more professional assessment!!.

[ian gough]

Oh don't worry, I wouldn't disagree with your opinion that it would be a more professional risk assessment!
But being pedantic for a moment: fire certificates are not obsolete - neither is the FP Act. My advice is still to notify the fire authority - although I'm sure they will then want to see your fire risk assessment.
I could add more, however, you seem to have things in order and it's a topic that can quite involved.

[kurnal]

Whereabouts are you numpty?

Ian has put his finger on the legal position, and looking forward to the new FSO the responsible person has to have regard to basic fire precautions and the potential effects of the use of highly flammables/ explosives on the basic fire precautions, and to consider also whether the requirements of  DSEAR regulations are being met. The fire authority, under the new order, will enforce these elements whilst the
factories inspector will enforce the DSEAR and other H&S legislation, and any fire or other risks  arising from the process and storage.

So the responsible person (for Fire) and the Employer (for other H&S legislation) ( probably the same person) will have a duty to carry out a holistic risk assessment that encompasses all risks, appointing competent persons to assist if necessary but always giving preference to competent assistance available from within the workplace.

Whoever carries out the risk assessment needs competence in all the relevant disciplines and such is the nature of the H&S / fire industry that the fire side of things has tended to become a specialism and considered as a seperate entity from other H&S requirements. Thats a shame- but in my opinion the new order just reinforces this subdivision.

So the best way forward may be to involve expertise from all relevant departments at your workplace in carrying out this risk assessment and creating the SSOW and bring in outside assistance in those areas where you do not have that expertise.

I dont think any outside consultant could come in and do the whole job lot for you- co-operation and communication between all parties will be essential.

The outcome needs to be a safe system of work that will satisfy all legislation. The only complication is really that some bits of the applicable legislation are enforced  by fire authorities and other bits by the HSE.  But thats always been the case to some extent.


Hope this has helped and not just confused things even further!