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BITUMEN SAFETY

BITUMEN SAFETY. BITUMINOUS MATERIALS. BITUMEN IS - The oldest known engineering material - Produced by flash distillation of crude oil - Versatile due to its

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BITUMEN SAFETY

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  1. BITUMEN SAFETY

  2. BITUMINOUS MATERIALS • BITUMEN IS - The oldest known engineering material - Produced by flash distillation of crude oil - Versatile due to its plasticity, insolubility & inertness • Bitumen is widely used for road construction, roofing, air fields, water-proofing, etc. • This paper essentially deals with road Bitumen (bulk and packed).

  3. 2.1 TYPES OF BITUMEN • There are two types of road bitumens used widely : Pure Bitumen and Bitumen Emulsions. • Pure Bitumen : Comes in 4 grades, for various courses of road laying application. • Bitumen Emulsions : A bitumen-water mixture stabilised by an emulsifier • Cationic emulsions are more suited for road building than anionic

  4. TYPES OF BITUMEN (contd) Advantages of Emulsions over pure Bitumen • Lower temperature application : Less hazards of burns/fires/fumes • Less dependence on atmospheric conditions • Allows use of damp aggregates even at low temperature • Have built-in adhesive & wetting agents

  5. 3.O SAFETY IN BITUMEN HANDLING • At room temperature, bitumen is a safe product with no environment or health hazards • Occupational hazards arise due to handling at high temperature • Main hazards are thermal burns and potential fire/explosion • Supports combustion if over heated in the presence of air

  6. 3.O SAFETY IN BITUMEN HANDLING (contd) 3.1 Bulk Storage: Operational Safety Requirements: • Reliable gauging and alarm systems • High level alarms • Divert overflow and vent pipes to safe areas • Anti-siphon slots on fill pipes going to the bottom of the tank

  7. 3.O SAFETY IN BITUMEN HANDLING (contd) 3.1 Bulk Storage: (contd) • Guard rails for roof ladders/walkways • Ensure tank is water-free while commissioning after repairs • Hot pipes to be vertical to avoid bowing • Never unclog bitumen pipes with propane torch

  8. 3.O SAFETY IN BITUMEN HANDLING (contd) 3.2 Packed Bitumen: When Bitumen is packed in drums: • The operator should be wearing all PPE • Adjust drum and filling head height properly to avoid splashing of hot Bitumen • Maintain right temperature of Bitumen to minimise fumes • There should be no open source of ignition nearby • Dry chemical fire extinguisher and first aid kit should be on hand • There should be no manual handling of drums when the Bitumen is hot.

  9. 3.O SAFETY IN BITUMEN HANDLING (contd) 3.3 Transportation Tanker safety precautions: • Tanker should be water-free and on level ground • Allow enough room for expansion during heating • No open flames while filling tanker • Stand clear of the man-hole while filling and close it securely after filling

  10. 3.O SAFETY IN BITUMEN HANDLING (contd) 3.3 Transportation (contd) When heating up a tanker: • At least 6 inches of Bitumen should cover the tubes • Heat the tanker slowly, especially when bitumen is cold • Never allow the vent pipes to get plugged • Have adequate fire extinguishers on hand • All drivers delivering Bitumen must wear PPE

  11. 3.O SAFETY IN BITUMEN HANDLING (contd) 3.3 Transportation (contd) While delivering Bitumen at site: • Clearly identify safe route to delivery points • Vehicle reversing to be kept minimum • Flat, even surface to be provided for the vehicle • There should be unrestricted space for movement around the vehicle • Provide a safe exit route in the event of emergency • Provide emergency shower near discharge point

  12. 3.O SAFETY IN BITUMEN HANDLING (contd) 3.3 Transportation (contd) While delivering Bitumen at site: • Display advice on safe operations as well as treatment procedure for Bitumen burns in delivery area. • Provide method for collecting and disposal of hose drainings • Site personnel must report any defects noticed at receipt/delivery site

  13. 3.O SAFETY IN BITUMEN HANDLING (contd) 3.4 Site Storage and Handling While heating Bitumen at the site: • Heater should be on level ground • A warning line should be set up around the heater to keep people away • Make sure the heater is water free • Before firing make sure all vents are open. • Increase the temperature and add Bitumen slowly.

  14. 3.O SAFETY IN BITUMEN HANDLING (contd) 3.4 Site Storage and Handling (contd) While heating Bitumen at the site: • If there is fire inside the heater, close the lid and turn off the burners • Do not allow spigots and valves to drip as hot Bitumen can be blown around by wind • Place the heaters down-wind of workers and occupied buildings • Never over-heat the Bitumen to prevent excessive fumes. • Use insulators for hot pipes and luggers.

  15. 3.O SAFETY IN BITUMEN HANDLING (contd) While carrying molten Bitumen to work-site • If the surface is sloped, carry the bucket on the downhill slide. • Never fill bucket more than 3 quarters • Have a dry chemical extinguisher at site • Luggers should be water-free • Chock the wheel of a mobile lugger while filling • The path of the travel for the lugger should be level and clear of debris • Operators must wear appropriate PPE.

  16. 3.O SAFETY IN BITUMEN HANDLING (contd) 3.5 Safety Awareness & Procedures: • Over 50% of Bitumen related accidents occur during application • Accidents can be reduced by raising awareness • Hot Bitumen should not be exposed to source of fire • Do not use water for fighting Bitumen fire • In a sustained Bitumen fire use self-contained breathing apparatus • Hot Bitumen can ignite flammable material on contact

  17. 3.O SAFETY IN BITUMEN HANDLING (contd) 3.5.1 Personal Protective Wear: • While handling heated Bitumen use chemical goggles with face shield • Wear loose clothing of cotton with closed collars and cuffs; use gloves covering the arm and wear ankle boots. • To prevent contact of Bitumen with skin use barrier creams • After work, personnel should use skin cleaner and wash with soap and water • Safety showers and eye wash stations should be available at the site.

  18. 3.O SAFETY IN BITUMEN HANDLING (contd) 3.5.2 Health Hazards: • If overcome by fumes, move to fresh air and administer oxygen if necessary. • Remove/clean Bitumen from skin with waterless hand cleaner (like mineral oil) • Flush out eye contamination with water • For hot Bitumen skin burns, apply cold water or ice pack to remove the heat rapidly • Do not bandage Bitumen burns and do not attempt to remove adhering Bitumen.

  19. 3.O SAFETY IN BITUMEN HANDLING (contd) 3.5.3 Training: • Staff at all levels should receive formal training and instructions on handling of Bitumen • All drivers of Bitumen tankers should receive regular refresher training on the safety aspects of Bitumen. • Customers’ representative should be trained on the safe receipt, storage and application of Bitumen. • A periodic risk assessment of the storage and handling facilities/procedures for Bitumen must be carried out.

  20. THANK YOU

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