Download TRISAG Tread Safely Guide Jan15

TRISAG
Health and Safety
Executive
Tyre and Rubber Industries Safety Action Group
FIRE AND EXPLOSION RISKS
SECTION 15 – RUBBER CRUMB AND DUST
Make sure electrical components on and near the machine,
including light fittings, are of a type suitable for an
application in which they can potentially be exposed to
combustible dust. Ensure all metalwork is well earthed to
prevent the accumulation of static electrical charges.
Faulty electrical equipment can overheat or spark presenting
a source of ignition, so make sure it is maintained properly
and inspected regularly by a competent electrician. If dust is
allowed to accumulate on the surfaces of electrical fittings,
heat will build up and fire could result, so make sure they
are kept clean.
DETECT AND MINIMISE THE SPREAD OF FIRE
generate dust or fume. Make sure this can be done quickly.
Machines, their electrical fittings and LEV systems should be
checked frequently for hot spots or signs of heat damage.
ESTABLISH EFFECTIVE EMERGENCY ARRANGEMENTS
Make sure the building is provided with a reliable firealarm system that is audible in all areas and that everyone
understands the action to take on discovering a fire and on
hearing the alarm. Test the fire alarm regularly and rehearse
the emergency evacuation and assembly procedure at
regular intervals. Ensure employees on all shifts participate
in a rehearsal of the emergency evacuation procedure at
least once a year.
Install suitable automatic fire detectors to detect a fire at
any buffing machine. The detectors should be arranged
to automatically trigger an alarm, such as the building fire
alarm, to give the earliest possible warning of a fire. These
detectors can also be arranged to:
Make sure emergency escape routes are clearly marked
and signposted and inspect them frequently to ensure exit
routes and emergency exit doors are kept clear. Consult
your local Fire Prevention Officer for detailed advice.
• shut down the LEV system;
Provide employees with the information, instruction and
training they need to understand the above precautions and
emergency arrangements as well as the actions they need
to take to safeguard themselves and others.
• operate slam shut dampers in the ductwork of the LEV
system to limit the spread of fire along the ducts and
manifolds;
• inject fire-extinguishing carbon dioxide gas into the
affected LEV ducts; and
• apply fire-fighting foam at and around the buffing
machine.
Which of these additional precautions you may need to
take will depend on the level of risk in the circumstances
of the particular operations carried out at your factory. Get
expert advice, for example from the fire surveyor of your
insurance company.
Train operators to check their machines and their LEV
systems frequently. Tell them to report the slightest sign
of smoke or a hot surface and to take the appropriate
action. This will involve alerting others in the area, turning
off the LEV equipment and stopping any processes that
TRAIN YOUR EMPLOYEES
REMEMBER:

Control rubber crumb and dust and prevent it
accumulating in the workplace.

Make sure LEV equipment for extracting rubber crumb
and dust is well designed and working efficiently.

Prevent sources of ignition.

Have a system for early detection and limiting the
spread of fire.

Ensure you have effective arrangements for raising the
alarm and evacuating people to safety if there is a fire.

Train your employees on the precautions and emergency
arrangements.