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Cleaning solvents are used in the day to day construction work to clean tools and equipment.  Special care must be taken to protect the worker from hazards, which may be created from the use of these liquids.  Wherever possible, solvents should be non-flammable and non-toxic.

The Power Tech Industries Ltd. senior representative must be aware of all solvents/flammables that are used on the job, and be sure that all workers who use these materials have been instructed in their proper use and aware of any hazard they pose.

The following instructions or rules apply when solvents/flammables are used:

•Use non-flammable solvents for general cleaning, never use gasoline as a cleaning agent.

•When flammable liquids are used, make sure that no hot work is permitted in the area.

•Ensure flammables and solvents are stored in special storage areas away from ignition sources and any/all electrical equipment.  They must also stored separately from other substances they may react with.

•Check toxic hazards of all solvents before use (MSDS).

•Provide adequate ventilation where all solvents and flammables are being used.

•Use goggles of face shields to protect the face and eyes from splashes or sprays.

•Use rubber gloves to protect the hands.

•Wear protective clothing to prevent contamination of worker’s clothes.

•When breathing hazards exist, use the appropriate respiratory protection.

•Never leave solvents in open tubs or vats – return them to storage drums or tanks.

•Ensure that proper sealable containers are used for transportation, storage and field use of solvents/flammables.

•Never replenish a tank on a heating device with a combustible or flammable liquid while the device is in operation or is hot enough to ignite the liquid.

•Where solvents are controlled products, ensure all employees using or in the vicinity of use or storage are trained and certified in the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System.  Ensure all WHMIS requirements are met.

•Where hazardous waste is intended for recycle, it must be stored in sealed containers and handled safely through worker training and identification as per WHMIS regulations.

•Where a controlled product is transferred to another method of conveyance, it must be stored and handled safely through the use of color coding, labels, placards, and worker training as per WHMIS regulations.

•Dispose of flammables in sealed self contained storage containers.