As liquid hazardous waste was being unloaded from a tank connected to a vacuum truck, flammable gases and vapours ignited, resulting in an explosion.
Using photos from the incident site, this video describes the events, underlying factors, and unsafe practices that contributed to the incident. It also emphasizes the importance of knowing the flammability and other hazards of waste being transferred, ensuring there’s a safety data sheet (SDS) or hazardous waste profile sheet, ensuring proper risk assessments have been done, and minimizing workers’ exposure to hazardous substances.
This educational video provides workers and employers in British Columbia with a valuable health and safety training tool. If you deal with hazardous materials, know the dangers and how to control them.
Please note that this video was released prior to changes to WHMIS in 2015 and uses outdated terminology such as MSDS instead of SDS.
Read the incident investigation report summary at https://www.worksafebc.com/en/resources/health-safety/incident-investigation-report-summaries/worker-burned-by-flash-fire-when-liquid-hazardous-waste-was-unloaded?lang=en.
Timestamps:
0:00 Vacuum truck transporting liquid hazardous waste
0:21 No SDS or hazardous waste profile sheet provided
0:44 Difference between SDS & hazardous waste manifest
1:10 No clear knowledge of flammability in vacuum truck
1:27 Two offloading options: closed hopper & open hopper
1:56 Flammable gas drawn into truck: positive air shutoff valve engaged
2:57 Preventing similar incidents & explosions while offloading hazardous waste
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