What is the potential risk?

There is a risk of fire and/or explosion in paint manufacturing workplaces due to static electricity, which can potentially put workers in the vicinity at risk of injury.

Paint manufacturing, like many other manufacturing sectors, uses flammable and combustible liquids, such as organic solvents, as part of the manufacturing process. Friction can cause static electricity to build up in these substances as they move through equipment or are transferred between non-conductive containers. If there is a lack of proper bonding and grounding of the production equipment, the electrical charge may build up to a sufficient level to cause the substance to ignite and potentially cause an explosion.

There have been incidents of explosions caused by static electricity in paint manufacturing operations in B.C.

Workplaces may be at risk if their manufacturing processes do not have sufficient methods to control the build-up of static electricity.

What industries may be at risk?

• Paint, putty, stain, sealant, wood filler, varnish, or waterproofing agent manufacture

How can I reduce the risk in my workplace?

As an employer, you need to know if there is the potential for the risk identified in this advisory to be present in your workplace. It’s your responsibility to regularly inspect your workplace, and to ensure that your safety procedures and practices control the risk. The following information highlights some of the sections of the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Regulation and Guidelines that are most relevant to this risk.

OHS Regulation 5.28–5.35 places a duty on employers to control the risk of fire and explosion resulting from static electricity in potentially flammable atmospheres.

Regulation 5.28 requires that metallic or conductive containers used to transfer flammable liquids must be electrically bonded to each other or electrically grounded while their contents are being transferred from one container to the other.

Regulation 5.29 states that if glass, plastic or other non-conductive container with a capacity of 23 litres (5 imp gal) or more is used to transfer a flammable liquid, the accumulation of electrostatic charge near the surface of the liquid must be eliminated or controlled by:

(a) limiting the flow velocity of the liquid to less than 1 m/s (200 fpm),
(b) using a grounded lance or nozzle extending to the bottom of the container,
(c) limiting free fall,
(d) using anti-static additives, or
(e) other effective means.

The BC Fire Code also places additional duties on the employer regarding the control of risks relating to the storage and handling of flammable substances.

Where can I find resources?

You can access the following resources on worksafebc.com:

• WorkSafe Bulletin: Awareness and control of static electricity