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Instructions for labor protection when working with methanol. Full Document

Occupational Safety and Health / Standard instructions for labor protection

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Safe Operation

Safety Precautions

Methanol (methyl alcohol, wood alcohol, carbanol) is a colorless transparent liquid, similar in smell and taste to wine (ethyl) alcohol. The density of methanol is 0,791 g / cm3, the boiling point is 64,7 ° C, the flammability limits of vapors in air are 6,7 - 36,5% (by volume), the MPC in the air of the working area (sanitary) is 5 mg / m3. It is miscible with water in all respects.

Methanol is a strong poison, acting mainly on the nervous and vascular systems. It can enter the human body through the respiratory tract and even through intact skin. Taking 5-10 g of methanol orally can cause severe poisoning, and 30 g is a lethal dose.

Symptoms of poisoning: headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, general weakness, irritation of the mucous membranes, flickering in the eyes, and in severe cases, loss of vision and death.

All work related to the transportation, overflow, storage and use of methanol should be carried out in accordance with the requirements of the "Instructions on the procedure for obtaining from suppliers, transportation, storage, dispensing and use of methanol at gas industry facilities" on the basis of which LPUMG develops - instructions for transportation, storage and the use of methanol, taking into account local conditions at their facilities, and instructions for the safe operation of mobile or stationary methanol plants.

Responsibility for safe working conditions when using methanol, organizing work with it lies with the head of the LPUMG, who appoints a person responsible for ensuring safety when using methanol, for timely briefing and medical examinations of persons involved in working with methanol.

The number of people directly handling methanol should be the minimum necessary. When selecting persons, their moral qualities should be taken into account.

Works carried out directly with methanol are classified as gas-explosive and therefore should be included in the list of gas-hazardous and hot work.

With the properties of methanol hazardous to human health and life, in addition to the personnel working with it, all employees of the GDS service, as well as employees of third-party organizations performing work on the territory of the GDS, must be familiarized against signature. Works with methanol should be organized in such a way that there is no direct contact of workers with methanol.

In order to exclude the possibility of erroneous consumption of methanol as an alcoholic beverage, ethyl mercaptan should be added to it in a ratio of 1:1000; kerosene in a ratio of 1:100, chemical ink or other dark color dye, highly soluble in methanol, at the rate of 2-3 parts of the dye per 1000 parts of methanol.

The introduction of methanol into the GDS communications should be carried out using stationary or mobile methanol units.

Before pouring methanol into the methanol plant, it is necessary to check the tightness and serviceability of its components, flange connections, etc., damage in the methanol plant must be immediately repaired.

The tank of the methanol plant should be filled slowly, excluding its overflow, when draining and filling it is necessary to use sealed hoses. The methanol poured into the methanol plant must be drained into the gas pipeline without any residue, it is forbidden to leave methanol in the tank of the methanol plant, with the exception of continuous methanol tanks.

Methanol is poured into a container and then discharged into a gas pipeline, stationary or mobile container is carried out by order of the chief engineer or dispatcher of the LPUMG and under the control of a responsible person from among the engineers. The order is transmitted by phone, but must be registered in a special journal with the dispatcher, which indicates: the quantity, place and method of pouring, the head of the work.

It is forbidden to purge the methanol residue when draining the mobile tank into the atmosphere; the empty mobile tank must be transported in a sealed condition.

The mobile container and hoses, completely freed from methanol, must be thoroughly washed in a ratio of at least 10 times the ratio of the remaining methanol, wastewater must be drained into the sewer. Drainage of flushing water into the ground is prohibited.

Tanks and methanol installations must be permanently locked and sealed. They must be indelibly painted with the inscriptions: "methanol-poison", "dangerous for life", "gas-explosive" and a safety sign for toxic substances, as well as indicate the gross and net weight.

It is forbidden to use faulty or non-compliant methanol plants and containers.

It is forbidden to use containers, hoses and other technical means intended for pouring and draining methanol for other liquids.

When working with methanol (storage), when it is possible to release its vapors into the air, the working area should be periodically monitored for MPC and MPVK, with the results recorded in the work permit.

It is necessary to work with methanol in the appropriate PPE: rubberized overalls, rubber boots, rubberized apron, rubber gloves and an apron, and in a gas mask with a grade "A" filter box.

In the event of an accidental spill of methanol, all measures must be taken immediately to prevent methanol from entering the soil: