Storage and Handling of Category 1 and 2 Flammables
GHS Category 1 and 2 Flammable liquids have flash points below 73.4 °F (23 °C), which means that they produce vapors that can ignite and burn at normal working temperatures if an ignition source is present. Their ability to self-ignite and to explode under certain conditions make them particularly hazardous. To safely store and handle flammable liquids, read and understand their labels and safety data sheets, and follow the best practices and regulations included in this course and established for your worksite or location.





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Course Details
Learning Objectives
• Define the terms “flash point,” “boiling point,” “autoignition temperature,” “explosive limits” • Differentiate between “combustibles” and “flammables” • Describe how flammables and combustibles are classified or categorized • Describe OSHA’s HazCom Standard workplace requirements for hazardous chemicals • Describe how flammability is indicated on chemical labels • Identify the characteristics of flammables which make them especially hazardous • List storage and handling best practices for flammable liquids
Specs
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between NFPA and OSHA/GHS “flammable” liquid classifications?
What is the Hazardous Communication, or HazCom, standard?
What are upper and lower “explosive limits”?
What are NFPA specifications for inside storage rooms that are used to store flammable liquids?
How often should inventory be taken for chemicals at a worksite?
Sample Video Transcript
A material’s autoignition temperature (or AIT) is the temperature at which, in the presence of oxygen, the material can self-ignite without an obvious ignition source. It is completely independent of flash point. Most common flammables have AITs above 570 °F (300 °C), but a few are lower. AITs are included in SDSs and can be used to evaluate the hazard level present when a liquid is exposed to elevated temperatures. The vapors from some solvents can be ignited by items like hot steam pipes, and serious accidents have occurred when low-AIT solvents were heated in solvent-evaporating ovens.
Additional Resources
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) – www.osha.gov
- OSHA Standards – https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owastand.display_standard_group?p_toc_level=1&p_part_number=1910
- National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) – http://www.nfpa.org/
- NFPA 30 Standard – http://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/all-codes-and-standards/list-of-codes-and-standards?mode=code&code=30