BITUMEN SAFETY

1
BITUMEN SAFETY
2
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS

• BITUMEN IS - The oldest known
• engineering
  material
• - Produced by flash
• distillation of
  crude oil
• - Versatile due to its
  
• plasticity,
  insolubility
• inertness
• Bitumen is widely used for road construction,
  roofing, air fields, water-proofing, etc.
• This paper essentially deals with road Bitumen
  (bulk and packed).

3
2.1 TYPES OF BITUMEN

• There are two types of road bitumens used widely
  Pure Bitumen and Bitumen Emulsions.
• Pure Bitumen Comes in 4 grades, for various
  courses of road laying application.
• Bitumen Emulsions A bitumen-water mixture
  stabilised by an emulsifier
• Cationic emulsions are more suited for road
  building than anionic

4
TYPES OF BITUMEN (contd)

• Advantages of Emulsions over pure Bitumen
• Lower temperature application Less hazards of
  burns/fires/fumes
• Less dependence on atmospheric conditions
• Allows use of damp aggregates even at low
  temperature
• Have built-in adhesive wetting agents

5
3.O SAFETY IN BITUMEN HANDLING

• At room temperature, bitumen is a safe product
  with no environment or health hazards
• Occupational hazards arise due to handling at
  high temperature
• Main hazards are thermal burns and potential
  fire/explosion
• Supports combustion if over heated in the
  presence of air

6
3.O SAFETY IN BITUMEN HANDLING (contd)

• 3.1 Bulk Storage
• Operational Safety Requirements
• Reliable gauging and alarm systems
• High level alarms
• Divert overflow and vent pipes to safe areas
• Anti-siphon slots on fill pipes going to the
  bottom of the tank

7
3.O SAFETY IN BITUMEN HANDLING (contd)

• 3.1 Bulk Storage (contd)
• Guard rails for roof ladders/walkways
• Ensure tank is water-free while commissioning
  after repairs
• Hot pipes to be vertical to avoid bowing
• Never unclog bitumen pipes with propane torch

8
3.O SAFETY IN BITUMEN HANDLING (contd)

• 3.2 Packed Bitumen
• When Bitumen is packed in drums
• The operator should be wearing all PPE
• Adjust drum and filling head height properly to
  avoid splashing of hot Bitumen
• Maintain right temperature of Bitumen to minimise
  fumes
• There should be no open source of ignition nearby
• Dry chemical fire extinguisher and first aid kit
  should be on hand
• There should be no manual handling of drums when
  the Bitumen is hot.

9
3.O SAFETY IN BITUMEN HANDLING (contd)

• 3.3 Transportation
• Tanker safety precautions
• Tanker should be water-free and on level ground
• Allow enough room for expansion during heating
• No open flames while filling tanker
• Stand clear of the man-hole while filling and
  close it securely after filling

10
3.O SAFETY IN BITUMEN HANDLING (contd)

• 3.3 Transportation (contd)
• When heating up a tanker
• At least 6 inches of Bitumen should cover the
  tubes
• Heat the tanker slowly, especially when bitumen
  is cold
• Never allow the vent pipes to get plugged
• Have adequate fire extinguishers on hand
• All drivers delivering Bitumen must wear PPE

11
3.O SAFETY IN BITUMEN HANDLING (contd)

• 3.3 Transportation (contd)
• While delivering Bitumen at site
• Clearly identify safe route to delivery points
• Vehicle reversing to be kept minimum
• Flat, even surface to be provided for the vehicle
• There should be unrestricted space for movement
  around the vehicle
• Provide a safe exit route in the event of
  emergency
• Provide emergency shower near discharge point

12
3.O SAFETY IN BITUMEN HANDLING (contd)

• 3.3 Transportation (contd)
• While delivering Bitumen at site
• Display advice on safe operations as well as
  treatment procedure for Bitumen burns in delivery
  area.
• Provide method for collecting and disposal of
  hose drainings
• Site personnel must report any defects noticed at
  receipt/delivery site

13
3.O SAFETY IN BITUMEN HANDLING (contd)

• 3.4 Site Storage and Handling
• While heating Bitumen at the site
• Heater should be on level ground
• A warning line should be set up around the heater
  to keep people away
• Make sure the heater is water free
• Before firing make sure all vents are open.
• Increase the temperature and add Bitumen slowly.

14
3.O SAFETY IN BITUMEN HANDLING (contd)

• 3.4 Site Storage and Handling (contd)
• While heating Bitumen at the site
• If there is fire inside the heater, close the lid
  and turn off the burners
• Do not allow spigots and valves to drip as hot
  Bitumen can be blown around by wind
• Place the heaters down-wind of workers and
  occupied buildings
• Never over-heat the Bitumen to prevent excessive
  fumes.
• Use insulators for hot pipes and luggers.

15
3.O SAFETY IN BITUMEN HANDLING (contd)

• While carrying molten Bitumen to work-site
• If the surface is sloped, carry the bucket on the
  downhill slide.
• Never fill bucket more than 3 quarters
• Have a dry chemical extinguisher at site
• Luggers should be water-free
• Chock the wheel of a mobile lugger while filling
• The path of the travel for the lugger should be
  level and clear of debris
• Operators must wear appropriate PPE.

16
3.O SAFETY IN BITUMEN HANDLING (contd)

• 3.5 Safety Awareness Procedures
• Over 50 of Bitumen related accidents occur
  during application
• Accidents can be reduced by raising awareness
• Hot Bitumen should not be exposed to source of
  fire
• Do not use water for fighting Bitumen fire
• In a sustained Bitumen fire use self-contained
  breathing apparatus
• Hot Bitumen can ignite flammable material on
  contact

17
3.O SAFETY IN BITUMEN HANDLING (contd)

• 3.5.1 Personal Protective Wear
• While handling heated Bitumen use chemical
  goggles with face shield
• Wear loose clothing of cotton with closed collars
  and cuffs use gloves covering the arm and wear
  ankle boots.
• To prevent contact of Bitumen with skin use
  barrier creams
• After work, personnel should use skin cleaner and
  wash with soap and water
• Safety showers and eye wash stations should be
  available at the site.

18
3.O SAFETY IN BITUMEN HANDLING (contd)

• 3.5.2 Health Hazards
• If overcome by fumes, move to fresh air and
  administer oxygen if necessary.
• Remove/clean Bitumen from skin with waterless
  hand cleaner (like mineral oil)
• Flush out eye contamination with water
• For hot Bitumen skin burns, apply cold water or
  ice pack to remove the heat rapidly
• Do not bandage Bitumen burns and do not attempt
  to remove adhering Bitumen.

19
3.O SAFETY IN BITUMEN HANDLING (contd)

• 3.5.3 Training
• Staff at all levels should receive formal
  training and instructions on handling of Bitumen
• All drivers of Bitumen tankers should receive
  regular refresher training on the safety aspects
  of Bitumen.
• Customers representative should be trained on
  the safe receipt, storage and application of
  Bitumen.
• A periodic risk assessment of the storage and
  handling facilities/procedures for Bitumen must
  be carried out.

20

• THANK YOU