11 Jun Why Use A Safety Can For Gasoline?

Why Use a Safety Can for Gasoline?

Gasoline is an extremely flammable liquid that can produce ignitable vapors at normal temperatures. Improper storage, handling, or transfer can result in fires, explosions, serious burns, and property damage. Using an approved safety can is one of the simplest ways to reduce these hazards.

Safety cans are specifically designed for the safe storage, handling, and dispensing of gasoline and other flammable liquids. Unlike ordinary containers, approved safety cans incorporate features intended to control vapors, prevent spills, and reduce the possibility of ignition.

Why Use an Approved Safety Can?

An approved safety can provides several important protections:

• Controlled dispensing – A properly designed spout helps control the flow of gasoline and reduces spills during transfer.
• Automatic closure – Safety cans typically have a spring-closing lid and spout cover that automatically close when released, helping prevent leaks and the escape of flammable vapors.
• Pressure relief – Safety cans are designed to safely relieve excessive internal pressure that can develop when the container is exposed to heat.
• Flame protection – A flame-arresting screen helps prevent an external flame from traveling through the opening and igniting vapors inside the container.
• Durability – Approved containers are designed and tested for the hazards associated with storing and dispensing flammable liquids.

Never remove, alter, or defeat any safety feature provided by the manufacturer.

Use Only Approved Containers

Gasoline should never be stored or transported in buckets, glass containers, beverage bottles, household containers, or other containers not designed for flammable liquids.

For construction work, OSHA requires flammable liquids in quantities of five gallons or less to be stored in approved closed containers or approved safety cans. Containers must meet the applicable regulatory requirements for their intended use.

Do not assume that a container is acceptable simply because it is red or labeled “gasoline.” Verify that it is an approved container suitable for the application.

Inspect Safety Cans Before Use

Like any safety equipment, a gasoline safety can must be maintained in good condition. Before use, check for:

• Cracks, holes, corrosion, or other damage.
• Leaking seams or fittings.
• Damaged or missing caps and spout covers.
• Proper operation of spring-closing mechanisms, when provided.
• Damaged or missing flame arresters, when provided.
• Illegible or missing identification labels.

Remove damaged or defective containers from service.

Safe Gasoline Handling

Even an approved safety can cannot eliminate all gasoline hazards. When handling gasoline:

• Keep it away from flames, sparks, hot surfaces, welding, smoking, and other ignition sources.
• Dispense gasoline only in properly ventilated locations.
• Keep containers closed when they are not being used.
• Do not overfill containers; allow room for thermal expansion.
• Clean up spills promptly using established spill-response procedures.
• Never use gasoline as a cleaning solvent.
• Do not refuel gasoline-powered equipment while the engine is running or sufficiently hot to create an ignition hazard.
• Follow applicable requirements when transferring gasoline between containers or equipment.

Transport Gasoline Safely

Do not leave gasoline containers in enclosed vehicle compartments where vapors can accumulate or temperatures can become excessive. Containers should be properly secured against tipping, sliding, or damage during transportation and handled in accordance with applicable transportation and company requirements.

Never leave a gasoline container where it could be exposed to excessive heat or an ignition source.

Remember

Gasoline vapors can ignite rapidly and without warning. Using the correct container is a basic but critical part of preventing gasoline fires and explosions.

Always use an approved safety can, keep it in good condition, and handle gasoline as though an ignition source could be present.