Description

1. TASK 70-03-00-100-501 "Health And Safety Guide For Aviation Materials (Gasolenes, Kerosenes, Oils And Methanol Mixtures)"

   

   WARNING

   IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE OPERATOR TO OBTAIN AND OBSERVE THE MANUFACTURERS MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS FOR CONSUMABLE MATERIALS INFORMATION SUCH AS, HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS, PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS, FIRE, EXPLOSION, REACTIVITY, HEALTH HAZARD DATA, PRECAUTIONS FOR SAFE HANDLING, USE AND CONTROL MEASURES AND ALSO TO TAKE LOCAT REGULATIONS INTO CONSIDERATION.

   1. General

      Aviation materials are not dangerous to health when used correctly for their specified use and with good industrial and personal hygiene. If as the result of an accident or incorrect use, different health risks can occur.

      This standard practice refers to these health risks and the precautions which must be followed to keep them to a minimum. Also the procedure that must be followed to help with medical conditions that can occur.

      This Standard Practice is divided in to three parts.

      Fire hazards.

      Health and emergency treatment.

      The materials and their related health and safety groups.

      1. Fire hazards

         This information is to help users of aviation materials. It must not replace local regulations.

         1. Flash point groups

            Aviation materials which are liquid are grouped in relation to their closed cup flash points. These closed cup flash points are agreed by the Institute of Petroleum in their 1978 Marketing Safety Code. The Safety Code gives information for the safety in the supply, storage and movement of aviation material.

            The groups are as follows:

            Class 1

            Class 1 materials have a closed cup flash point below 70 deg F (21 deg C). They must be kept and moved as referred to in the local regulations for highly flammable liquids. They must be kept away from all sources of ignition. The electrical equipment used must have the approval of the Institute of Petroleum Electrical Safety Code or its local equivalent.

            Class 2

            Class 2 materials have a closed cup flash point from 70 to 131 deg F (21 to 55 deg C). They are flammable materials which must be kept in closed containers and away from all sources of ignition. The electrical equipment used must have the approval of the Institute of Petroleum Electrical Safety Code or its local equivalent.

            Class 3

            Class 3 materials have a closed cup flash point above 131 deg F (55 deg C) up to 212 deg F (100 deg C).

            Unclassified

            Unclassified materials have a closed cup flash point above 212 deg F (100 deg C).

         2. To extinguish a fire

            If a fire occurs you must use dry chemical or foam extinguishers. Water must only be used as a spray to give protection and/or to cool adjacent tanks. A fire near the aviation material can cause toxic gasses because of thermal decomposition.

         3. Leakage of material or discarded material

            The primary problem is to prevent a fire or explosion. Leakage must be contained and isolated from all sources of ignition and persons.

            Water courses and drainage systems must have protection to prevent contamination.

            The material, because of leakage, must be removed with the use of absorbents, such as sand or keiselguhur. It must then be kept in the correct containers in a safe area which is open to the air. The absorbents must be discarded by the use of conditions approved by the local authority.

            The used oil and not used new oil must be discarded by the conditions approved by the local authority. This is so that they do not contaminate water courses and drainage systems.

   2. Health and Emergency Treatment

      1. Toxicity terminology

         Toxicity is the cause of a material to give bad effects when it gets on or in to the body.

      2. Acute and Chronic effects

         Acute effects are the effects that quickly follow exposure (in a time measured in seconds, minutes or hours).

         Chronic effects are the effects from a long exposure or a sequence of exposures (in a time measured in days, months or years).

         Acute and Chronic effects can be divided in to two effects:

         1. Local effects - Occurs at the point of touch with the body (irritation of the skin).

         2. Systemic effects - Occurs in parts of the body away from the point of touch with the body (unconsciousness after gases have been breathed).

      3. Ingestion

         If a liquid is drunk it can cause local irritation of the mouth and gastrointestinal tract, or systemic effect when it is soaked in to the bloodstream.

      4. Inhalation

         If gases are breathed in to the lungs it can cause local irritation of the respiratory tract, or systemic effect when it is soaked in to the bloodstream.

      5. Aspiration

         Aspiration is when a liquid gets in to the lungs. Liquid fuels such as gasolene or kerosene can cause bad pneumonitis if they are aspirated. Aspiration can occur if vomiting occurs after ingestion of the liquid, especially if the patient is unconscious or semi-conscious.

      6. Skin and eye contact

         If liquids touch the skin or eyes irritation can occur. Most liquid and fuel lubricants will defat and dry the skin, this will cause dermatitis if this occurs frequently.

      7. Hygiene standards

         Hygiene standards which are the Threshold Limit Values (TLV) are set annually by the American Conference of Government Industrial Hygienists. They recommend the airborne concentrations of substances in a work environment which workers can be exposed to without any effects. The standard was done to give an aid for the set up of an accepted work environment. The standard does not give the toxicity or the included risk or hazard.

         For most materials, hygiene standards are given as Time Weighted Average (TWA) concentration limits for an eight hour day of work. For some a limit is given and it must not be more or less than the given limit, unless an added short-term (15 minutes) exposure limit, written as C and STEL, is given. Hygiene standards are usually given as parts of a gas for each million parts of contaminated air by volume (ppm) at 77 deg F (25 deg C) and 760 mm Hg pressure of milligrams of substance for each cubic metre of air (mg/cubic metre).

      8. Preventive measures

         1. Ingestion

            Ingestion of materials as given in this standard practice does not usually occur in industry and is not usually accidental. Aspiration before or after ingestion of gasolene or kerosene can be dangerous.

         2. Inhalation

            Inhalation of gases must be prevented as much as possible and, where applicable, hygiene standards must be carefully obeyed. Good local and general clean air must be supplied if necessary.

         3. Skin contact

            Fuels and lubricating oils of different types which touch the skin is usual in industry. The effects can be prevented by good industrial and personal hygiene procedures such as:

            The use of protective clothing and the frequent dry-cleaning of them.

            The use of disposable wipers (oil contaminated rags or tools must never be kept in protective clothing pockets).

            The use of good washing facilities must be available with hot and cold water. Medically approved hand-cleaners and clean towels (barrier creams and reconditioning creams can be of help).

      9. Health aspects and emergency treatment

         1. Aviation materials are divided in to four groups which refer to the composition and physical properties. Each group is then divided in to groups which refer to their health hazards.

         2. Many aviation fuels contain additives. Because the concentrations of the additives, which are in the fuel, are small and the minimum time they touch the skin, the additives in fuels do not cause a health hazard (although the additives, when isolated, can be highly toxic).

         3. Used materials are more dangerous than new materials. It is necessary to be more careful in the movement and the discard of the material. Also care has to be taken with components that touch the material.

         4. The four groups in to which aviation materials are divided are as follows:

            Group A. - Gasolenes

            Group B. - Kerosenes

            Group C. - Aviation oils

            Group D. - Methanol mixtures

   3. Group A. - Aviation Gasolenes

      Gasolenes must not be used as an agent that cleans or as alternative for other solutions.

      1. Health aspects:

         1. Ingestion

            This will not usually kill adults, because the taste and smell limit the quantity that can be drunk.

            There can be irritation of the mouth, throat and digestive tract.

            Larger amounts can result in drowsiness or unconsciousness.

         2. Inhalation

            The concentrations of aviation gasolene gases in the work environment must be kept below an average of 300 ppm. At higher levels the exposure time will change the effects caused. The effects will be different for each person. As an aid, concentrations of 1000 to 2000 ppm will cause irritation to the eyes, nose and throat, and can give the symptoms the same as drunkeness.

            Concentrations of above 5000 ppm is highly dangerous and will result in unconsciousness quickly.

         3. Aspiration

            Gasolenes are dangerous for aspiration. Aspiration of very small quantities can quickly cause dangerous pneumonitis. A quantity of at least one hundredth of the danger dose if aspirated by the mouth can kill.

         4. Skin and eye contact

            Gasolenes are primary skin irritants that defat and dry the skin and cause dermatitis. If the skin touches fuel for long lengths of time, skin lesions (gasolene burns) will occur. Moderately high quantities of gasolene in to the eyes will cause smarting of the eyes but it is usually only a transient disturbance.

      2. Specially hazardous circumstances:

         1. Gasolene leakages

            when gasolene leaks in a confined space, dangerously high concentrations of gases are caused. The precautions must be followed to prevent the dangerous effects of inhalation, if a leakage occurs.

         2. Clean the gasolene tank

            Special precautions must be followed during maintenance or the operations to clean gasolene storage tanks.

            Special precautions must also be followed when the sludge is removed or is discarded from the tanks. These special procedures are given in the Associated Octel Co Ltd booklet 27/80, Leaded Gasolene Tank Cleaning and Disposal of Sludge.

      3. Emergency treatment:

         1. Ingestion

            Do not cause vomiting because of the risk of aspiration. Get medical aid immediately.

         2. Aspiration

            If there is a sign of aspiration in to the lungs (for example, chest pains or short of breath after vomiting) get medical aid immediately.

         3. Inhalation

            Remove patient from exposure, keep warm and prevent movement. If unconscious, give oxygen and get medical aid immediately. If breathing stops or shows signs of failure, give artificial respiration and if necessary cardiac resuscitation.

         4. Eyes

            Clean the eyes with water for at least ten minutes.

   4. Group B - Aviation Kerosenes

      1. Health aspects:

         1. Ingestion

            Kerosenes can show moderately acute oral toxicity, but aspiration before or after ingestion is more dangerous than ingestion. There can be some irritation of the mouth and gastrointestinal tract.

         2. Inhalation

            No hygiene standard has been made for kerosenes. This is because the low volatility of these materials does not cause dangerous concentrations of gases. Precautions must be obeyed to prevent exposure to kerosene gases which can collect in some given locations. The concentrations of the gases in a working environment must not be more than 5 mg/cubic metre.

         3. Aspiration

            Aspiration of kerosene is very dangerous and can quickly cause dangerous pneumonitis.

         4. Skin and eye contact

            Kerosenes are primary skin irritants that defat and dry the skin. Frequent or long exposure can cause dermatitis. Kerosene in the eyes can be lightly irritant.

      2. Emergency treatment:

         1. Ingestion

            Do not cause vomiting because of the risk of aspiration. Get medical aid immediately.

         2. Aspiration

            If there is a sign of aspiration in to the lungs (for example, chest pains or short of breath after vomiting) get medical aid immediately.

         3. Eyes

            Clean the eyes with water for at least ten minutes.

   5. Group C - Aviation Oils (Mineral Oil-based Lubrication Oils)

      1. Health aspects:

         1. Ingestion

            Up to date highly refined petroleum-derived lubrication oils only give light acute oral toxicity. The additives included in to some of these formulated materials do not always effect the toxicity.

         2. Inhalation

            The low volatility of these materials does not cause dangerous concentrations of gases, unless with open systems at high temperatures. Precuations must be obeyed to prevent exposure to oil gases which can collect in some given locations. The concentrations of the gases in a working environment must not be more than 5 mg/cubic metre.

            Aspiration

            The viscosity of petroleum-derived lubrication oils will show how dangerous they are for aspiration. This will give the possible entry in to respiratory system and the level of subsequent penetration. No aviation oil has a sufficiently low viscosity at usual day temperatures to show a danger for aspiration.

         3. Skin and eye contact

            Frequent or long exposure can cause dermatitis. Some of these materials in the eyes can be lightly irritant.

      2. Emergency treatment:

         1. Ingestion

            No special treatment is necessary. Do not cause vomiting because of the risk of aspiration.

         2. Aspiration

            If there is a sign of aspiration in to the lungs (for example, chest pains or short of breath after vomiting) get medical aid immediately.

         3. Eyes

            Clean the eyes with large quantities of water.

   6. Group C - Aviation Oils (Synthetic-based, Non-petroleum Lubrication Oils)

      1. Health aspects:

         1. Ingestion

            These materials only give light acute oral toxicity.

         2. Inhalation

            These materials have very low gas pressures and dangerous concentrations of gases are not made in usual work environments.

         3. Skin and eye contact

            These materials do not irritate the skin. But frequent or long exposure to the skin can give light irritation and this can increase with constant exposure to the skin.

            Good personal and industrial hygiene will keep these effects to a minimum. These materials can be lightly irritating in the eyes.

      2. Emergency treatment:

         1. Ingestion

            If more than about a mouthful is drunk, get medical aid immediately. Do not cause vomiting.

         2. Skin

            Remove with soap and water. Remove cloths which have oil on them. Clean or dry-clean contaminated cloths before they are used again.

         3. Eyes

            Clean the eyes with large quantities of water.

   7. Group D - Methanol Mixtures

      1. Health aspects:

         1. Ingestion

            Methanol mixtures show light acute oral toxicity and the effects of ingestion change very much between each person. In some people, systemic effects occur in less than an hour of ingestion of a toxic quantity. These effects can be nausea and stomach pains followed by vomiting. In other people, the effects do not occur for up to 24 hours. If the effects are very bad, visual interference and different other bad neurological effects can occur. Bad effects such as permanent blindness or death from respiratory, cardiac or kidney failure can occur.

         2. Inhalation

            With correct conditions dangerous concentrations of gases will not occur. In bad conditions of high temperatures and bad air (such as in a closed hanger in the tropics), leakage or open containers and tanks which hold these materials, can give toxic concentrations. The effects are dizziness, headaches and irritation of the respiratory tract.

            Exposure for eight hours to 800 to 1000 ppm causes dangerous and permanent decrease of vision. The rate of excretion of methanol from the body is slow, so its effets build up at high exposure levels. The concentration in the working environment must not exceed 200 ppm.

         3. Skin contact

            Methanol mixtures cause the skin to dry and frequent or long exposure can cause dermititis.

         4. Eye contact

            Methanol mixtures can cause light but transient irritation if it gets in to the eyes.

            The dangerous permanent damage of vision is a systemic effect which results from methanol that has soaked in to the bloodstream. It is not caused by the methanol which has touched the eye.

      2. Emergency treatment:

         1. Ingestion

            If more than about a mouthful is drunk, get medical aid immediately. Do not cause vomiting. Keep the patient laying prone, warm and prevent movememt. If there is respiratory distress or respiration stops, give artificial respiration.

         2. Inhalation

            Remove the patient from exposure, keep warm and prevent movement. If systemic symptoms occur, refer to ingestion.

         3. Skin contact

            Remove with soap and water. Clothes wet with methanol mixtures must be removed and then fully dry before you use again.

         4. Eye contact

            Clean the eyes with large quantities of water.