Health and Safety
Polypropylene blocks are not regarded as hazardous
to health, and exhibit no chemical hazards when used under
normal circumstances for the stated application(s).
The following are intended as general guidelines including
advice in the event of exposure of products to excessive heat,
such as may occur during fire.
Storage
Polypropylene should preferably be stored in dry
covered conditions away from direct sources of heat, including
sunlight, especially whilst contained in polythene packaging.
During storage it must be recognised that the packaging and
pallets may themselves be a fire risk, and are generally a
much more likely route for rapid fire spread.
Handling
Personal Protection
When carrying or lifting Stormcell® blocks it
may be necessary for employees to wear personal protective
equipment to ensure that the risk of injury is kept as low
as possible. Before the block is handled employees should
check to see whether the surface of the block could cut or
scratch the person handling it or could slip from their grasp.
If such as risk exists, it might be necessary for suitable
gloves to be provided. In addition, protective shoes with
a good grip and steel toe-caps may need to be issued in case
the handler carries the block on slippery surfaces.
Preparing to Lift
One of the best ways to avoid manual handling injuries
is to ensure that employees adopt a safe lifting technique
when they are lifting and carrying loads. Therefore, employers
should make sure that all staff who carry out manual handling
tasks have been properly trained and follow certain lifting
guidelines. This includes:
? Examining the Load – Employees should determine the
weight of the object to be lifted and check that the load
is stable and equally distributed. A table of weights of Stormcell®
blocks follows.
? Planning the Job – Employees should plan a route
that is as straight as possible – even if it is slightly
longer – and free from slipping and tripping hazards.
Workers should also look for places to stop and rest along
the way and make sure the unloading area is clear so that
they can put the load down safely.
? Having a Firm Grip – one of the most common causes
of injury when handling objects is an insecure hold. Therefore,
employees should decide in advance how to hold the Stormcell®
block and consider whether they need to wear any kind of personal
protective equipment, such as gloves or overalls.
Table of Weights for Stormcell® Blocks, Each 2.4 m x
1.2 m
Thickness (m) 0.520 0.120
Weight (kg) 63 15
Ignition / Flammability
In common with most other organic polymers, and other
organic materials used in construction, polypropylene products
will burn when exposed to a sufficiently high temperature.
They are difficult to ignite (typical ignition temperature
c. 320°C) and are considered combustible but not highly
inflammable.
At temperatures below ignition temperature material will
soften. Molten material in contact with the skin will cause
severe burns and adhere to the skin.
Due to the low thermal conductivity of polypropylene the
interior of a cooled molten mass will remain hot for some
time. In these circumstances burns could still occur and decomposition
/ reignition may occur if the initial melt temperature was
sufficiently high.
Decomposition / Combustion Productions
At temperatures above c. 200°C decomposition
will occur. At temperatures approaching 300°C the heat
of oxidation may produce a rapid rise in temperature and thus
accelerate decomposition.
Under these circumstances hazardous substances such as carbon
monoxide, acrolein and aldeheydes may have been produced.
The evolved gases may ignite providing heat for combustion.
In burning conditions, dense smoke will be evolved, the main
product of combustion being carbon dioxide, although depending
upon exact conditions if combustion, appreciable quantities
of carbon monoxide, acrolein and other aldeheydes may be present.
Burning may also be accompanied by the release of flaming
molten droplets which may spread the fire to adjacent flammable
materials.
Fire-Fighting
All commonly available fire extinguishers are effective in
fighting fires involving polypropylene although due note should
be taken of the particular situation (eg. when live electrical
equipment is nearby) which may restrict the use of some media.
Advice should be sought from the local Fire Authority as to
the most suitable types of extinguisher to be installed.
In the event of a small localised fire, immediate action
may be taken by personnel in the vicinity, using available
extinguishers. Care should be taken to avoid inhalation of
decomposition / combustion fumes. When the fire has been extinguished,
ventilation should be increased to clear the fumes as quickly
as possible.
If a major outbreak of fire is discovered, the Fire Brigade
should be called immediately and personnel should be evacuated
from the area. It is important to advise the fire-fighting
personnel to wear protective clothing and full face masks.
Molten material in contact with the skin will cause severe
burns and will adhere strongly to the skin. Suitable breathing
equipment should be worn by the fire fighters exposed to the
products of combustion.
Qualified medical aid should be sought if anything more than
very temporary irritation to skin, eyes, throat, etc. is experienced
by personnel who come into contact with decomposition products.
First Aid Treatment
Inhalation of noxious fumes:
The patient should be removed as rapidly as possible
into fresh air. Artificial respiration should be applied if
necessary. Expert medical attention should be obtained immediately.
Medical staff involved should be fully advised of the nature
of materials involved and the likely thermal decomposition
of products.
Skin Contact
Any molten material on the skin should be cooled
as quickly as possible with plenty of cold water. No attempt
should be made to remove molten or solidified material from
the skin. Immediate medical attention should be sought.
Waste Disposal
Scrap material for disposal is not classified as
'Special Waste' under the Control of Pollution (Special Waste)
Regulations 1980 and may be disposed of at approved landfill
tips, or by incineration under approved conditions in compliance
with the requirements of the Control of Pollution Act 1974.
Advice on the preferred method should be obtained from the
Local Authority Waste Disposal Officer.
The data and advice given applies only when the product is
used for the stated application or applications. The product
is not sold as suitable for any other applications. Use of
the product for applications other than those as stated in
our Design and Installation Guidelines may rise to risks not
mentioned in this sheet. You should not use this product other
than for the stated application or applications without seeking
advice from us.
Date of issue: June 2002
Revised: May 2003 |
