INCIDENT
A 60-year-old man died when 200-litre drum he was attempting to cut with an
angle grinder exploded. The man had marked a cutting line on the drum and left
both bungs secured. When the angle grinder penetrated the metal, a spark ignited
residual vapours in the drum. Post incident laboratory analysis confirmed the
drum had previously contained a flammable substance
CONTRIBUTING FACTORS
The drum had previously contained a flammable liquid and the bungs were in
place.
No equipment existed at the workplace to gas test the contents of the drum.
The man was dressed in a shirt, shorts, socks and work boots. No evidence of
appropriate personal protective clothing and equipment being used was found.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The reuse of pesticide or flammable liquid drums should be avoided.
Proper disposal in accordance with the manufacturer or supplier's instructions
as provided for in the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) should always be followed.
Make sure all drums are properly labelled.
Do not cut any drum that is not labelled and recycled by specialist cleaning
company.
Drums, which once contained flammable liquids, are to be handled with extreme
care as they may still contain vapours even after many years.
Never attempt to cut or apply heat to drums that have contained flammable liquids
or flammable gases.
FURTHER INFORMATION
For more detailed information refer to: http://www.safetyline.wa.gov.au./PageBin/mechhazd0003.htm.
Bjorn Gillgren
Director WorkSafe Operations
4 November 2002