Section 2.3 Chemical and Fire Safety 35
Section 2.3 Section 2.3
Chemical and Fire
Safety
Objectives
After studying this section, you will be able to:
• Describe safety precautions to use when
handling toxic or fl ammable materials.
• Name the four classes of fi re extinguishers and
tell which types of fi res they are used on.
• Explain what the acronym PASS means.
Technical Terms
ABC-rated fi re
extinguisher
fl ash point
material safety data
sheet (MSDS)
PASS
Reading Prep
As you read this section, make note of
the different agencies and organizations
involved in chemical and fi re safety.
How do the agencies and organizations
contribute to chemical and fi re safety?
Safe Handling of
Toxic and Flammable
Materials
Many of the materials found in woodshops
are toxic (poisonous) and/or fl ammable. For
example, some stains and varnishes can cause
headaches, nausea, dizziness, or skin or eye ir-
ritation. You have already learned that sawdust
can be hazardous to your lungs. It is also fl am-
mable and can be explosive.
Workplaces in which chemical hazards are
present are required by OSHA to communicate
this information to their employees. Containers
of hazardous materials must be properly labeled.
Detailed information is provided on a form
called a material safety data sheet (MSDS).
The MSDS lists the characteristics and hazards
of the material and tells how to safely store, han-
dle, transport, and dispose of it.
To protect yourself when handling toxic
or fl ammable materials, observe the following
safety rules.
• When using chemicals (paint, paint
thinners, stains, cleaning solvents, etc.),
wear appropriate personal protective
equipment, such as gloves and respirators.
Make sure the PPE is designated for use
with that chemical.
• Chemicals should be kept properly labeled
and used only as directed.
• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and
water after handling chemicals.
• Paint, enamel, stain, varnish, lacquer
thinner, shellac, alcohol, kerosene,
turpentine, machine oil, and other
fl ammable material should be stored in
proper containers in an approved metal
cabinet, Figure 2-21.
• Never incinerate (burn) pressurized paint
containers, such as spray cans. Place them in
a covered safety can.
• Rags that are greasy, oily, or have been used
for wood fi nishing must be disposed of in a
safety can that has a metal lid.
• Do not use fl ammable material near an open
fl ame.
• Do not use solvents with a low fl ash point,
such as gasoline, for cleaning. The fl ash
point is the temperature at which the vapor
given off by a substance catches fi re when
exposed to fl ame. Even a static electric spark
can ignite gasoline vapors.
• Each woodshop should be equipped with
an ABC-rated fi re extinguisher. This type
can be used on electrical fi res as well as
other kinds of fi res. The fi re extinguisher
should be prominently displayed and
accessible to everyone working in the
woodshop, Figure 2-22.