Fire and explosives

Fire and explosive hazards include combustible and flammable liquids and substances and/or when hot work is performed. Fire and explosion can occur when the temperature has reached the flash point of the volatile material and where there is sufficient vapour present in the atmosphere.

A fire can occur when there is a sufficient combination of fuel and oxygen, plus an ignition source. When flammable and combustible materials in the form of solids, gases or liquids (e.g., paints, gasoline, propane, butane, airborne dust, thinner) have enough concentration of vapour in a particular atmosphere, an explosion can occur either by heat ignition or auto ignition.

Auto ignition is the lowest temperature at which a concentration of a flammable and/or combustible material spontaneously ignites in normal atmosphere without an external source of ignition, such as a flame or spark. This temperature is required to supply the activation energy needed for combustion.

Legislation Part 19 – Fire and Explosive Hazards of the Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Regulation requires an employer to:

• develop safe work procedures for fire and explosive hazards in the workplace, including hot work if hot work is performed in the workplace
• train workers in the safe work procedures
• ensure that workers comply with the safe work procedures

An employer must ensure that there is sufficient size and capacity for fire protection equipment and fire extinguishers in the workplace according to the Manitoba Fire Code.

Every workplace with dangerous substances and workplaces that perform hot work must comply with Part 19 – Fire and Explosive Hazards in the WSH Regulation.

An employer must ensure:

• safe work procedures are developed
• sufficient fire protection equipment and fire extinguishers are present in the workplace
• storage of flammable materials and containers complies with the Manitoba Fire Code
• gasoline is not used to start a fire
• control of ignition sources and static charges
• workers do not enter a workplace where a flammable or explosive substance is present in the atmosphere at a level that is more than 10 per cent of the lower explosive limit of that substance
• hot work is done in accordance with the Manitoba Fire Code
• purging with effective removal methods are performed before any hot work begins on pipes or containers containing flammable substances
• compressed gas equipment is stored in accordance with the Manitoba Fire Code
• workers are trained in identifying fire and explosive hazards and are encouraged to report unsafe conditions so action can be taken immediately

Manitoba’s Workplace Safety and Health Act and associated regulations are in place to protect the safety and health of workers in Manitoba. Below is a link to the regulation part associated with this safety topic.

Part 19 Fire and Explosive Hazards Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health Act and Regulation