Flammable and Combustible Liquids

Talking points

1. A flammable liquid is any liquid that flashes at or below 199.4°F, and OSHA sorts them into four categories — gasoline and acetone flash below 73°F, which puts them in the most dangerous ones. Diesel now falls in Category 3 or 4 depending on the fuel — the least volatile flammable liquids, but still flammable, because the construction standard no longer has a separate 'combustible liquid' class to put it in.
2. No more than 25 gallons of flammable liquids may be stored outside of an approved storage cabinet or room. Use approved safety cans with spring-loaded caps.
3. Bonding and grounding are required when dispensing flammable liquids from one container to another to prevent static discharge and ignition.
4. Store flammable liquids away from ignition sources, exits, and stairways. Maintain at least 20 feet between storage and buildings (or as specified by code).
5. Vapor is the hazard — flammable vapors are heavier than air and travel along the ground to ignition sources. Ventilate the area and eliminate all ignition sources within range.

Ask the crew

Where are our flammable liquids stored right now — and are they in approved containers with proper separation from ignition sources?

Standards this talk is built on

• 29 CFR 1926.152
• 29 CFR 1910.106

A toolbox talk is a short safety briefing. It supports the training a standard requires; it does not replace it.

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