Gearoid Lohan
Hazards of Bitumen Delivery and Storage
Bitumen regarded as a ‘safe product’
Inert at ambient temperature.
Low Volatility
Low water solubility
Highly durable
• Penetration grade bitumens
40/60pen, 70/100pen, 160/220pen
• Polymer Modified Grade Bitumens
Special Applications – Higher Temperatures
• Oxidised / Blown Grade Bitumens
• Clear Grade bitumen (Coloured Asphalt)
• Other types
Emulsions
Hard Grades
Shipping / Supply:
Crude is moved by ship or
Pipeline to refineries
Crude Crude
Upstream: Downstream: Refinery
Crude Exploration & Refined Products:
Production Bitumen
Modification
Processes
Asphalt Asphalt Bitumen
Transport Asphalt Bitumen:
Paving Plant Supply & Distribution
To work site
Or Emulsion Manufacture
•High handling Temperature – Bitumen Burns.
•Fire – Combustible
•Contact with Water
•Bitumen Overflow during off-loading
•Pressure discharge
•Vapour emissions (11oc drop – reduces fumes by 50%)
• Flash Point > 230 oC (approximately)
• Contact with Insulation (self ignition)
• Overheating
• Never use water – foam or dry powder to extinguish the fire.
• locations
• Hose
• Overflow
• Valve Blocked
• Sampling
Treatment
• Cool for 5 minutes (water)
• Never attempt to peel off bitumen
• 50% of all accidents – during delivery.
• Can lead to Bitumen Burns
• Drench Shower
• Bitumen Hoses –Testing, Flanges
Tank Gauges
High Level Alarms
Overflow pipe
• Drench Shower
• PPE - within 6m of the delivery point.
• Product storage temperature
• Tank Labeling avoid product crossover
• Level gauge maintenance
Bitumen First Aid – Bitumen Burns
Cool water (Drench Shower)
Leave bitumen in place
Do not bandage
Call emergency Services
• Off-loading Instructions
• Adequate Lighting
• Tank Labelling, Gauges, Alarms
• Bitumen Burns poster
• Bitumen Burns Guidance
• Never mix penetration grade
• with cutback
• Adequate Turning Angle for Trucks
• Helmet, Visor and Neck
apron
• One piece Coverall - with
High Vis
• Heat resistant gloves
• Foot protection
Adequate Turning Circle
Drench Shower
Fire Extinguisher
Material Safety Data Sheets
Emergency Plan
Tel No.s – Do you know where to go in the
event of an emergency ?
Risk Assessment
Adequate Signage/Posters - Directions