Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 38, September 20, 2024
a) Adequate
provision shall be made to effectively protect the operator and visitors from
hazards. The following shall be provided to fulfill the particular needs of
each plant:
1) Enclosure of the plant site
with a fence designed to discourage the entrance of unauthorized persons and
animals.
2) Installation of hand
rails and guards around all tanks, pits, stairwells, and other hazardous
structures.
3) Provision of first
aid equipment at marked locations.
4) Posting of "No Smoking" signs in hazardous
areas.
5) Protective clothing and
equipment such as air packs, goggles, gloves, hard hats, safety harnesses and
hearing protection.
6) Provision of
portable blower and sufficient hose.
7) Portable lighting equipment that complies
with the National Electrical Code.
8) Appropriately placed warning signs for
slippery areas, non-potable water fixtures, low head clearance areas, open
service manhole, hazardous chemical storage areas, flammable fuel storage
areas, etc.
9) Smoke and fire
detectors, fire extinguishers, and appropriate waste receptacles.
10) Provisions for confined space entry in
accordance with the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and
any other applicable regulatory requirements.
b) Hazardous Chemical Handling
1) Containment Materials
The materials utilized for storage, piping, valves, pumping,
metering, splash guards, etc., shall be specially selected considering the
physical and chemical characteristics of each hazardous or corrosive
chemical.
2) Secondary
Containment and Storage
A) Wet and Dry
Chemicals
Chemical storage areas shall be enclosed in dikes or curbs
which will contain the stored volume until it can be safely transferred to
alternate storage or released to the wastewater at controlled rates which will
not damage facilities, inhibit the treatment processes, or contribute to stream
pollution. Liquid polymer should be similarly contained to reduce areas with
slippery floors, especially to protect travelways. Non-slip floor surfaces are
desirable in polymer handling areas.
B) Liquified Gas Chemicals
Chlorine and sulfur dioxide cylinder and container storage
shall meet the requirements of Sections
370.1020
and
370.1040.
Ammonia gas cylinder isolation shall be provided. Gas cylinder storage
facilities shall be equipped with appropriate alarm system and emergency repair
equipment and control system.
3) Eye Wash Fountains and Safety Showers
A) Eye wash fountains and safety showers
utilizing potable water shall be provided in the laboratory and on each floor
level or work location involving hazardous or corrosive chemical storage,
mixing (or slaking), pumping, metering, or transportation unloading. These
facilities are to be as close as practical to possible chemical exposure sites
and are to be fully useful during all weather conditions. The eye wash
fountains shall be supplied with water of moderate temperature (50° -
90° Fahrenheit (F)), separate from the hot water supply, suitable to
provide 15 minutes to 30 minutes of continuous irrigation of the
eyes.
B) The emergency showers
shall be capable of discharging 30 to 50 gallons per minute (gpm) of water at
moderate (50° - 90° F) temperature at pressures of 20 to 50 pounds per
square inch (psi). The eye wash fountains and showers shall be no more than 25
feet from points of caustic exposure.
4) Splash Guards
All pumps or feeders for hazardous or corrosive chemicals
shall have guards which will effectively prevent spray of chemicals into space
occupied by personnel. The splash guards are in addition to guards to prevent
injury from moving or rotating machinery parts.
5) Piping, Labeling, Coupling Guards,
Location
A) All piping containing or
transporting corrosive or hazardous chemicals shall be identified with labels
every ten feet and with at least two labels in each room, closet, or pipe
chase. Color coding may also be used, but is not an adequate substitute for
labeling.
B) All connections
(flanged or other type), except adjacent to storage or feeder areas, shall have
guards which will direct any leakage away from space occupied by personnel.
Pipes containing hazardous or corrosive chemicals should not be located above
shoulder level except where continuous drip collection trays and coupling
guards will eliminate chemical spray or dripping onto personnel.
6) Protective Clothing and
Equipment
The following items of protective clothing or equipment shall
be available and utilized for all operations or procedures where their use will
minimize injury hazard to personnel:
A) Air pack breathing apparatus for
protection against chlorine and other toxic gases.
B) Chemical workers' goggles or other
suitable goggles. (Safety glasses are insufficient.)
C) Face masks or shields for use over
goggles.
D) Dust masks to protect
the lungs in dry chemical areas.
E)
Rubber gloves.
F) Rubber aprons
with leg straps.
G) Rubber boots
(leather and wool clothing should be avoided near caustics).
H) Safety harness and line.
7) Warning Systems and Signs
A) Facilities shall be provided for automatic
shutdown of pumps and sounding of alarms when failure occurs in a pressurized
chemical discharge line.
B) Warning
signs requiring use of goggles and dust masks shall be located near chemical
unloading stations, pumps, and other points of frequent hazard.
8) Dust Collection
Dust collection equipment shall be provided where dry
chemicals are stored or used to protect personnel from dusts injurious to the
lungs or skin and to prevent polymer dust from settling on walkways which
become slick when wet.
9)
Container Identification
The identification and hazard warning data included on
shipping containers, when received, shall appear on all containers (regardless
of size or type) used to store, carry, or use a hazardous substance. Sewage and
sludge sample containers should be adequately labeled. Below is a suitable
label to identify a sewage sample as a hazardous substance:
Raw Sewage
Sample Point No. _____
Contains Harmful Bacteria.
May contain hazardous or
toxic material.
Do not drink or swallow.
Avoid contact with openings
or breaks in the skin.
