Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00420:front:0:p35
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00420
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 93377–96422

hazardous chemicals themselves (example: wooden pallets)
    * eliminating ignition sources from hazardous areas.  This may include establishing a hot work permit system (see below).
    * ensuring equipment used in handling hazardous chemicals is maintained in accordance with manufacturer's instructions
    * good housekeeping to minimise accumulation of combustible dusts.
Hot work is any process involving grinding, welding, brazing, oxy cutting, heat treatment or any other similar process that generates heat or continuous streams of sparks. Undertaking hot work
in areas where flammable or combustible chemicals or other materials are present creates
a significant risk of fire or explosion. Conducting hot work on containers such as drums, tanks and pipes that have not been properly decontaminated is a common ignition scenario resulting in fatalities. A hot work permit system is a system designed to eliminate or minimise risks from these activities, by controlling when and how hot work is undertaken in these areas.
Further information on hot work permit systems is available in the following Australian Standards:
    * AS 1940: The storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids
    * AS/NZS 2865: Safe working in a confined space (in Appendix H of the Standard)
    * AS 1674.1: Safety in welding and allied processes – Fire precautions in relation to welding.
Oxidising agents can contribute to fire and explosion risks. In relation to working with oxidising agents, information can be found in AS 4326: The storage and handling of oxidising agents.

Eliminating ignition sources
Some common ignition sources are included in Table 2 of section 3.4 of this Code. Ignition sources must be eliminated from any hazardous areas. This may be achieved by:
    * use of intrinsically safe electrical equipment. Consider whether the hazardous chemicals can generate flammable or explosive atmospheres, and ensure that any equipment being used, like stirrers, is intrinsically safe
    * ensuring electrical equipment is effectively maintained. Poorly maintained electrical equipment can present a significant risk for example through worn brushes
    * ensuring electrical equipment is properly earthed
    * implementing administrative controls such as permit systems preventing hot work
      (for example, welding) in these areas.
Static electricity can be created from a range of activities including the transfer of hazardous chemicals. Information on control of static electricity can be found in AS 1020: The control
of undesirable static electricity.
The auto-ignition temperature of the hazardous chemical should be considered as some hazardous chemicals may ignite spontaneously above certain temperatures.
A hazardous area is a three-dimensional space in which a hazardous atmosphere exists.
In relation to hazardous chemicals, a hazardous atmosphere is one in which a flammable or combustible substance, such as fuel, is present in combination with air or other sources of oxygen and which would ignite to cause a