Fire and explosion

Each year many people suffer burns caused by the uncontrolled ignition of the flammable chemicals and other materials they work with.

Devastating effects

The effects of accidental fires or explosions can be devastating in terms of lives lost, injuries, damage to property and the environment, and to business continuity.  

Working with flammable liquids, dusts, gases and solids is hazardous because of the risk of fire and explosion

Work with flammable substances is hazardous because of the risk of fire and explosion. The effects of accidental fires or explosions can be devastating in terms of lives lost, injuries, damage to property and the environment, and to business continuity.  

Working with flammable liquids, dusts, gases and solids is hazardous because of the risk of fire and explosion.

Causes

For a fire to start or an explosion to occur, fuel (a flammable substance), air and a source of ignition are all needed.

Controlling or eliminating these can prevent fires. The wide variety of flammable substances found in the workplace range from the obvious to the less obvious, for example:

Obvious

• heating fuel
• petrol
• paint thinners
• welding gases

Less obvious

• packaging materials
• dusts from wood
• flour
• sugar 

Fireworks

Some very useful information on Fireworks:

• Organising fireworks displays - HSE (GB) (www.hse.gov.uk)
• Fireworks - www.nidirect.gov.uk

Resources

• Managing fire safety in the workplace