The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-04-26
DANGERS FROM INFLAMMABLE
LIQUIDS

Inspections made throughout the
State by inspectors of the Department
of Labor and Industry reveal the fact
that persons who use benzine, gasoline
Or other easily inflammable liquids do
not exercise the amount of care neces-
sary in handling this material. The
vapor from material of this nature is
readily inflammable, and, under certain
conditions, highly explosive. An open
flame, spark or any object heated to
ineandeseence will Immediately ignite
vapor of this kind. This fsct. however,
seems to be lost sight of by many peo-
pie who constantly handle infiammable
liquids.
On numerous occasions when inspec-
tors have visited garages, cleaning es-
Establishments or factories where these
liquids are used for cleaning or other
purposes, they have found open cans
of these materials placed in very prom
inent positions, on work benches, un-
der work benches, in corners, and, in
fact, anywhere it was convenient to
place these reeeptaeles. In the majority
of eases close examination in the
vicinity of these cans will reveal the
presence of burnt match sticks, cigar
ette or cigar butts, or other evidences
that an open flame or FIRE of some kind
has been in dangerous proximity to
these reeeptacles. That this material
has not become ignited seems to have
been due only to an especial act of
Providence, and not to any care or at
tention on the part of the user.
1t has often been noted that fires in
garages have, in many instances, oc-
cured short time after persons have
quit work, either for the day, or when
they left temporarily for meals. 1t is
common belief that, in some of these
eases, fires may have been started by
match stick with which theyA had
lighted their cigar, cigarette or pipe,
and which they then had earelessly
and hurriedly thrown away, thinking
it had been completely extinguished.
All establishments that use danger
Gus and high indammable material of
this kind should keep their supply in
safety cans, which would not permit
their infammable and explosive vapors
to be given off. They should also al
of this kind to be kept on the prem
lSec. IL IL is necessary 10 purchase Il
large quantity, it should be stored in
an underground tank located outside
of the building, and only as much as
is necessary for the daily operation
should be drawn off into safety cans.
All of this material should be removed
at night from the building, and again
placed in the storage tank or in some
outside storage place.
Within the last two months, five
men have been killed in this State as
result of explosions caused by the
ignition of benzine vapor; so that the
danger is one which should be guard
ed against at all times.
The Department of Labor and In.
dustry has been endeavoring to safe
guard employers and employees from
this danger by suggesting the use of
safety cans wherever material of this
kind is used. The department, accord
ingly suggests that employees and EN-
ployers give careful attention to this
matter, and urges them not to wait
until they have had dangerous fire
or explosion before providing these
safe containers. 1t also recommended
that only small quantities of gasoline
or benzine, sufficient for immediate
use, be taken into buildings where en-