Chlorine Handling Safety Dos and Don'ts (2024)

Chlorine Handling Safety Dos and Don'ts

Chlorine Handling Safety Dos andDon'ts

Chlorine in liquid or gaseousform mainly used in industries. A mixture of bleach with another householdproduct is used to treat drinking water and swimming pool water to killbacteria. For the manufacture of PVC, approximately 20% of the chlorineproduced is used.

Chlorine is yellowish-greenin color, highly toxic in nature, pungent odor, and strong oxidizer due to itsproperty of very high electron affinity.

Here are the deadliestproperties and hazards of chlorine

1. Chlorine is a strongoxidizing agent and therefore support combustion. It can also cause oraggravate a fire.
2. Contains gas under pressure;may explode when heated.
3. Chlorine gas is denser thanair and accumulate at the lower surface spaces.
4. Exposure by inhalation causesacute inflammation of the respiratory system and may result in death. When theconcentrations of chlorine gas is greater than 30ppm, it reacts withwater in our body or saliva or cellular fluid, producinghydrochloricacidandhypochlorous acid.
5. Causes damage to organs afterprolonged or repeated exposure.
6. Very toxic to aquatic lifewith long lasting effect
7. Contact with skin causesirritation and damages / burns skin.
8. Eye exposure may causeserious eye damage or eye irritation
9. TLV / TWA = 0.5 ppm, STEL = 1ppm and IDLH = 10 ppm

Chlorine handling Safety Dos and Don’ts

The following safety Dos andDon’ts can be used to educate workers in industries on the safe handling ofchlorine.

1. Make sure the date of thechlorine tonner or cylinders hydrotest is valid.
2. Ensure the availability ofsafety shower and eye wash fountain in chlorine storage and handling area.
3. Store the chlorine tonners orcylinders in a well ventilated and covered shed.
4. Display the Safety Data Sheet(SDS) in the shed near the chlorine container.
5. Keep an accessible spacebetween chlorine tonners or cylinders.
6. Use appropriate tools forhandling chlorine tonners or cylinders.
7. Wear splash resistant safetygoggles with a face shield, and PVC suit with hand gloves while connecting ordisconnecting the chlorine cylinders or tonners.
8. Check for leaks beforecommissioning or prior to taking into service.
9. Inspect the condition ofpiping paint and check the temperature, it will help to detect back flow ofwater due to failure of check valves.
10. Use chlorine canister whenremoving, securing, connecting cylinders or tonners and when checking forleaks.
11. Use breathing apparatus inthe event of an emergency chlorine leak.
12. Post the chlorine emergencyprocedure in a prominent place.
13. Store filled and empty chlorinetonners or cylinders separately.
14. Keep away from clothing andother combustible materials.
15. Train and equip personnel forthe handling of chlorine.
16. Regularly monitor thecondition of chlorine tonners, cylinders and fittings for leaks or conditionsfor corrosion or damage.
17. Regularly calibrate andmonitor chlorine detectors.
18. Stay upwind direction whileloading or unloading of chlorine tonners or cylinder.
19. In case of leak of chlorinetonner from bottom side, rotate the tonner so that leak point should be atvapour phase area to minimize the leakage in liquid form.
20. In the event of valveleakonatonner, thetonnershould be rolled to bring the leaked valveson top.
21. Try to stop the leak by usingchlorine kit if safe to do so and wash the small spill with large quantity ofwater thoroughly after handling.
22. Ensure the availability and healthinessof airline mask or self-contain breathing apparatus (SCBA), emergency handlingkit and neutralizing pit.
23. Maintain the sufficientquantity of neutralizer, the caustic solution, sodium hydroxide, is preferredfor the neutralization purpose.

1. Don’t breathe chlorine gas,fumes, vapor, or spray.
2. Don’t use or store chlorinetonners or cylinders in wet and muddy area.
3. Do not eat, drink, or smokewhen handling Chlorine gas.
4. Don’t allow trucks with leakytonners or cylinders in the factory premises.
5. Don’t transport tonners orcylinders without protective caps.
6. Don’t leave the work sitewhile chlorine injection is done.
7. Don’t store chlorine tonnersor cylinders along with hydrogen, sawdust, phosphorous, turpentine, etc.
8. Don’t stack chlorinecylinders or tonners on top of each other.
9. Don’t use oil or lubricant oncylinder or tonner valves.
10. Don’t leave operationalcylinders without a hood.
11. Don’t use a chlorine cylindervalve to regulate the flow.
12. Never lift the cylinder by itsvalve protection cover or safety cap.

These Chlorine handling safety Dos and Don’ts canbe prepared in pictorial format by using hazard communication signages anddisplayed in the prominent location toprovide a quick and easy guide for all employees. It can also be used toeducate the workers about safetyprecautions when handling chlorine.

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