Detection of Flammable Substances Safety Training

Companies are required to enforce chemical safety regulations in the workplace, according to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Training workers to detect flammable substances is an effective way to minimize workplace incidents involving chemicals, fires and burns.

Identification

• According to OSHA, under the Federal Hazardous Substances Labeling Act, flammable substances are required to be labeled "flammable." Workers are trained to identify warning labels on containers, vats, bottles and other storage that indicate the substance within is flammable. Labels must be conspicuous so that workers can easily identify them.

Symbols

• Workers should become familiar with the hazardous shapes and symbols designed by the National Fire Protection Association, according to the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. The NFPA "diamond" has a section for flammable substances, which is always symbolized by the color red and sometimes bears the picture of a flame.

Prevention

• According to a November 2005 publication by the Health and Safety Executive, people who handle flammable substances must understand what makes something flammable so that they can prevent fires. HSE explains that for something to become flammable it must have the right supply of air, a source of ignition (such as a flame) and the fuel must be at an appropriate concentration level.