HAZWOPER: Electrical Safety in HAZMAT Environments

A hidden danger can lurk in hazardous materials environments: electricity. Invisible and deadly, electricity released by arcs and sparks can ignite vapor and dust from hazardous materials. Improperly regulated electricity can cause high temperatures, triggering fires and explosions in a hazmat environment. This Video On Demand training helps hazmat workers stay safe around electrical power by explaining specific dangers associated with arcs, sparks and high temperatures and how to control those risks. It also explains the National Electric Code's three classes of hazmat environments: Class I, Class II and Class III.

Class I environments require specific controls to prevent the ignition or explosion of hazardous vapors or gases in the atmosphere, a situation hazmat workers frequently encounter. Use of engineering controls such as intrinsically safe systems, hermetic seals, encapsulating seals and oil immersion systems are explained, along with proper work practices, such as purging or inerting gases. The dangers of oxygen-deficient environments are explored, along with the proper personal protective equipment and other safeguards to permit workers to safely negotiate such dangerous workspaces. The video shows the necessary safety procedures for working in Class II environments, in which airborne combustible dust is the hazard. Finally, Class III environments, where flammable deposits on floors, equipment and counters present fire risks from high temperatures, are addressed. Procedures for first responder access are also explained.

This video makes it easy to understand what type of equipment should be used in which hazardous environments, and why work practices can make the difference between life and death when harnessing the power of electricity in proximity to hazardous materials. This video should be viewed by anyone working with or around hazardous materials and electricity.

This course has been updated to include GHS container labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for GHS compliance.

   This course is in the Video On Demand format, to read about Video On Demand features click here.

Anyone working in hazmat environments, or those responding to a hazmat emergency

• Introduction
• Arcs, Sparks, and Heat
• The National Electric Code
• NEC Class I: Areas and Engineering Controls
• Work Practices: Purging and Inerting
• NEC Class II: Areas and Dust Ignition Proof
• NEC Class III: Areas and High Surface Temperatures
• Electrical Equipment and Accidents
• Conclusion

• Collecting Processing and Recycling Universal Waste in California - Full Program
• HAZWOPER: Site Safety and Health Plan
• HAZWOPER: Safety Data Sheets in HAZWOPER Environments