Safe Operating Procedures for Dispensing Flammable and Combustible Liquids
Purpose
To define the safe operating procedures in a manner that informs and instructs employees of
[Employer/Organization Name] on the key health and safety hazards and controls to remember when dispensing flammable and combustible liquids.
Hazards
Flammable and combustible liquids can include:
Fuels
Solvents
Thinners
Cleaners
Adhesives
Paints
Waxes and polishes
The following hazards may occur when dispensing flammable and combustible liquids:
Fire or explosion
Spill
Chemical exposure (e.g. burns, dermatitis and asthma)
To avoid these hazards, proper bonding and grounding procedures must be followed when decanting flammable and combustible liquids.
Personal Protective Equipment
Employees must wear solvent-resistant gloves, aprons, rubber boots, goggles, face shields and respirators as instructed while dispensing flammables and combustibles or as directed by the appropriate Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).
Employees must be trained on the proper use of all personal protective equipment (PPE) required to do their job safely.
Employees will wear non-flammable fabrics such as cotton or fire-retardant clothing when working with flammable and combustible materials.
Appropriate respiratory protection, as specified must be worn. Employees must be trained in the proper fit, care and maintenance schedule of any respirator they are required to wear.
Safe Operating Procedure
All employees must attend Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) training and have training with respect to the chemical hazards they are required to handle.
MSDS should be reviewed by all employees working with these products. Review flashpoints and flammable limits on each MSDS to know upper and lower explosive limits.
Supervisors must prepare post and maintain an inventory of all hazardous material in use.
Up to date MSDS (no more than 3 years old) are kept for each hazardous product listed in the inventory. MSDS binders are located at [Location].
Workplace labels must include name of the material, safe handling instructions and information about where the MSDS is available in the workplace.
Supervisors are responsible for ensuring storage, PPE and training. Safe handling and spill response are reviewed for new hazardous materials coming on site. Where possible less hazardous materials should be used.
Supervisors will keep a floor plan readily accessible at the workplace, showing the names of all hazardous materials and their locations and post a notice on the Health and Safety Board stating

the location where the floor plan is kept.
Never cut or weld in the same area where flammable or combustible liquids are present.
Emergency plan must be posted and employees must be trained on emergency procedures.
Appropriate fire extinguishing equipment is located throughout the facility. Employees must be trained on the use of fire extinguishing equipment.
If chemicals are spilled on clothes, remove clothing and wash as soon as possible.
Approved storage containers must be used for storing flammable materials.
If reactive materials are being used, special safe working procedures will be developed for those chemicals and employees must be trained on those procedures.
Flammable liquids give off invisible vapours that spread and catch fire quickly from something as small as static electricity. Proper bonding and grounding procedures must be followed.
Clean Up and Storage
Contaminated clothing, PPE, rags and material are put in bins/areas separate from regular garbage/storage.
Store flammable and combustible liquids in well ventilated, temperature controlled areas, separate from other oxidizing materials.
Incompatible materials must never be stored together. Flammables must be kept in a flammable storage cabinet.
Drums will be cleaned after use and the liquid waste will be place into an appropriate labeled liquid waste container.
All other residue liquids (e.g. leftover cleaners) will be disposed of properly.
Ensure [Employer/Organization Name] is registered to generate hazardous waste with the
Ministry of Environment.
Legislative Reference
Ontario Fire Code
NFPA 77 Recommended Practice on Static Electricity
Canada Electrical Code, Section 10 Grounding and Bonding
Additional Resources
Health and Safety Ontario Flammable Liquids Storage
CSA Z94.4-02 Selection, Use and Care of Respirators
Document Management
Effective Date:
Revision Date: