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Posted By Andy123
Hi ,
We operate a warehousing facility with an LPG storage tank on site in one corner of the site that is protected with safety barrier and is signaged up. My question is that there has been an issue highlighted regarding mobile phone usage in the vicinity of the LPG Tank and was wondering if anyone has any thoughts on this.
We are most likely to implement a no tolerance policy and get some extra signage and change the site rules document for all drivers and visitors, with internal training as well.
Would a zero tolerance policy be the best way to deal with this? and are there any real risks with mobile phones and LPG?
All comments appreciated.
Thanks
Andy
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Posted By Saracen11
Hi Andy123, the safe zone (fencing/distance guard) should create sufficient physical space between it and the tank to enable the area around to be used for whatever purpose even if it could cause a spark e.g. mobile phones, pagers, vehicle movement etc... providing the space has been correctly assessed and nobody enters the safe zone with anything likely to cause a spark i.e. any of the above, you should in theory be ok.
Regards
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Posted By Saracen11
Hi Andy123, just to add... as with petrol and mobile phones the risk of explosion arises when the battery becomes detached from the contacts within the phone, it's this that could cause a spark and may cause an explosion, not actually using the phone...
Regards
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Posted By John Murgatroyd
That's not strictly correct. Operating radio frequency transmitting equipment has more risks than that. In many cases any sharp edges (wires, screening etc) carrying rf is capable of a corona discharge...this can occur at very low volts. Most intrinsically safe rf gear has the cases sealed totally, with internal antennas. I think there is a current eu directive about such equipment..
http://www.dti.gov.uk/strd/atex.html
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Posted By Saracen11
Hi John, fair play to you on this, I stand corrected... as discussed and commented on earlier on this forum, I and others don't mind being shown the light as long as it done politely (and this was - cheers!).
Regards
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Posted By Andy123
Thank you both for your help.
I understood there was a risk with batteries becoming detached which could ignite the vapours of LPG which are invisible to the human eye, but thanks also John for the info on RF interference/transmissions.
I will carry out an assessment and follow through with the no tolerance policy, dependent on the findings.
Once again thanks again.
Andy
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