Safety Tip of the Week – Safety Cans

Are you using a red plastic gas can? If so, you may be living with a ticking time bomb. Deadly explosions causing catastrophic burn injuries and deaths are occurring across America due to the absence of a flame arrester in the canister.

OSHA states “Only approved containers and portable tanks shall be used for storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids. Approved safety cans or Department of Transportation (DOT) approved containers shall be used for the handling and use of flammable liquids in quantities of 5 gallons or less.

ANYTIME THE WORD “SHALL” IS USED IN A REGULATION, IT MEANS THAT THIS RULE IS MANDATORY AND MUST BE FOLLOWED.

Approved safety cans have several basic design qualities:

1. They have a spring-loaded cap that closes the spout automatically when released. Tension in the spring forces the cap closed and provides a leak proof seal.

2. The spring tension is also designed to lift the cap slightly in the event of excessive internal vapor pressure inside the can. This automatically vents off vapors, at approximately five psi internal pressure, to prevent the can from rupturing or exploding if it is exposed to excessive outside heat.

3. The spout is also equipped with a flame arrester screen designed to prevent outside fire from reaching the gasoline inside the can. This is the same type of screen that is found in marine gasoline engine carburetors. With the screen in place, if the can is involved in a fire, the vapors will burn around the spout, but will not permit an internal fire or explosion. This screen must not be removed or damaged.

• Sometimes safety cans are also used to hold thick liquids such as lubrication oil, which is not recommended. Since the heavy liquid will not pass through the screen, the screen is often removed, defeating an important safety feature of the container.

Whether it is required or just good sense, always use approved safety cans when handling gasoline or other flammable liquids.

Accidents bring tears, fire safety brings cheers!!!