Handling explosive chemicals requires stringent safety precautions – and that’s not just wearing the right PPE, but also about understanding the nature of the chemical you are handling.
You must know its flashpoint, detonation point, possible triggers, and incompatible chemicals that can react or act as catalysts for it to explode.
Additionally, you must know about the appropriate container and containment requirements of an explosive chemical, especially when you are handling or transporting it in bulk.
Not following the safety measures for handling explosive chemicals can be catastrophic. Continue reading to find out more.
In this post:
What Are Explosive Chemicals?
Explosives are any chemical that is capable of a very rapid exothermic reaction that creates extreme gaseous pressure almost instantly. Any object in its immediate vicinity can potentially be obliterated.
Almost all explosive chemicals have a specific threshold temperature of explosion. However, some may require a catalyst, a trigger, or a specially designed detonation mechanism, such as in the case of C4 explosives.
Some chemicals may explode when they come in contact with water, such as pure, elemental sodium metal and other pure, elemental alkali metals. When it comes in contact with water, sodium rapidly combines with the oxygen and water while replacing hydrogen. As hydrogen gas is generated, the heat of the reaction triggers the hydrogen to almost instantaneously react with the oxygen in the air. This creates the explosive reaction.
Key Takeaways
Explosion is a rapid exothermic chemical reaction that produces gaseous pressure
Many explosive chemicals undergo violent oxidation reaction
The surface area of a substance is a main factor for its explosiveness, such as in the case of powders
Even substances that are chemically not classified as explosives can explode – including coffee creamer
There’s specialised PPE, such as fireproof face shields, that you may need to wear when handling explosive chemicals
Safety protocols specific to the type of chemicals must be followed when storing and transporting the chemicals
Proper and regular training for staff is necessary when they are handling explosive chemicals
Common Examples of Explosive Chemicals
Various government institutions such as the OSHA and HSE have specific definitions and classifications of explosive chemicals.
However, they generally agree as to the general mechanism of reaction, which is rapid, exothermic, and high-pressure, producing shock and extreme heat. Below are some common examples of explosive chemicals.
Compounds containing the following functional groups are generally considered as explosive chemicals:
- Azide
- Acetylide
- Diazo
- Nitroso
- Haloamine
- Peroxide
- Ozonide
Here are some more specific examples:
- Nitrocellulose
- Di- and Tri-nitro compounds
- Peroxide forming compounds
- Picric acid (dry)
- 2,4-Dinitrophenylhydrazine (dry)
- Benzoyl peroxide (dry)
How to Safely Handle Explosive Chemicals
Almost all explosive chemicals are sensitive to a certain level of impact and threshold of temperatures. Some are also incompatible with other substances, which can trigger explosions through chemical reactions.
Safely handling explosive chemicals requires knowledge of some of the nuances about these chemicals.
- Temperature control – you must know the maximum or threshold temperature where certain explosive chemicals might be triggered.
- Storage – you must store the chemicals in inert or nonreactive containers. These containers must not be exposed to direct sunlight or heat. Your storage area must also be properly equipped with safety equipment, such as automatic sprinklers, to mitigate possible disasters.
- PPE – the type of PPE to wear largely depends on the type of chemical and the hazards it poses. For example, you may need Kevlar protection when handling some explosive chemicals, or to use a robotic forklift when transporting chemical containers within your facility.
- Training – regular safety training must be conducted to train employees on how to properly handle explosive chemicals, respond during emergencies, and improve the protocols.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
The type of personal protective equipment or PPE you’ll need varies depending on the chemical and the level of threat it poses.
Normally, you can use standard gloves, aprons, goggles, and facemasks. For example, if you’re only doing routine inventory of supplies, you may only need to wear low-level PPEs. On the other hand, if you’re inside a storage area, you may need to wear a respirator.
Storing Explosive Chemicals
Explosive chemicals must be stored in inert, nonreactive containers, such as glass or polyethylene containers. The storage area must not be directly exposed to sunlight and heat.
You must make sure that the internal climate is controlled and maintained within the appropriate range, and that you don’t put other chemical containers that might be incompatible with the explosive chemicals in the same area.
Your storage area must be equipped with safety facilities, such as automatic sprinklers and powder fire suppressors.
Safe Transportation of Explosive Chemicals
Just like warehouse storage of explosive chemicals, you must ensure that any transport you use is equipped with internal climate control and is maintained within the required range.
Heavy impact and too much shaking must be avoided, so it’s important that the vehicles transporting the chemicals must have good shock absorbers.
The Importance of Training & Compliance
Employees involved in the manufacturing, handling, warehousing, and transporting of the explosive chemicals must have the appropriate and updated training and undergo regular drills and theoretical training.
From proper handling to response during an emergency, employees must be knowledgeable and skillful on how to react under certain situations. This is both a matter of legal compliance and, more importantly, safety.
What Should Employee Training Include?
Chemical safety training should include basic medical skills and technical engineering knowledge.
Here are some of the topics that should be included in the employee safety training:
- Properties and hazards of the chemicals
- Chemical safety and operating procedures
- Controls that minimise chemicals hazards
- How to wear the required PPE for specific tasks
- How to locate, read, and understand Safety Data Sheets (SDSs)
- Routes of chemical exposure
- Signs and symptoms of exposure to chemicals
- How to store and segregate chemicals
- How to react in the event of a spill or exposure to chemicals
- Proper protocols for emergency situations
Best Practices for Handling Explosive Chemicals
Best practices for handling explosive chemicals are proven and tested practices adopted by companies in the chemical industry.
For example, ensuring the correct internal climate control in a storage area is now standard practice, and HVAC systems are installed for this purpose.
Best practices also include regular training to ensure safety, safety checklists, and regular inspections.
Conclusion
Handling explosive chemicals is something that requires not only skill and knowledge, but also good intuition depending on the situation. It is okay to be a bit obsessed about things than to be sorry! Safety is about anticipating potential hazards or accidents, being well prepared for contingencies, following best practices, and applying the appropriate responses.
