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Gasoline
1-Basic Information on Gasoline
2-Health Effects of Gasoline
3-First Aid for Exposure to Gasoline
4-Working Safely with Gasoline
5-Personal Protective Equipment Information for Gasoline
6-International Hazard Classifications for Gasoline
7-Source of Information on Gasoline
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4-Working Safely with Gasoline

What is the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) recommended exposure limit for gasoline?
What are the fire and explosion dangers associated with gasoline?
Is gasoline stable when exposed to air, moisture, or heat?
Are there any conditions to avoid when using gasoline?
Does gasoline have an odour threshold (at what level can I smell it)?
Is the odour of gasoline reliable as a warning property?
How can I work with gasoline safely?
What can be done to control hazardous conditions?


What is the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) recommended exposure limit for gasoline?

TIME-WEIGHTED AVERAGE (TLV-TWA): 300 ppm - Carcinogenicity Designation A3

Short-Term Exposure Limit (TLV-STEL): 500 ppm - Carcinogenicity Designation A3

TLV BASIS - CRITICAL EFFECT(S) : Irritation; CNS (central nervous system)

CARCINOGENICITY DESIGNATION A3 - Animal Carcinogen: Substance is carcinogenic in laboratory animals under conditions that are not considered relevant to worker exposure. Available human studies and evidence suggest that the substance is not likely to cause cancer in humans except under unusual or unlikely routes or levels of exposure. Worker exposure to an A3 carcinogen should be controlled to levels as low as reasonably achievable below the TLV.

NOTE: In many Canadian jurisdictions, exposure limits are similar to the ACGIH TLVs. Since the manner in which exposure limits are established, interpreted, and implemented can vary, obtain detailed information from the appropriate government agency in each jurisdiction.

NOTE: This is a substance for which the TLV is higher than the OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) and/or the NIOSH Recommended Exposure Limit (REL).

NOTE: This substance has been identified by other sources as a suspect or confirmed human carcinogen.

What are the fire and explosion dangers associated with gasoline?

Gasoline is extremely flammable. It will readily ignite at room temperature. It can release vapours that form explosive mixtures with air. Liquid can accumulate static charge by flow or agitation. Vapours can be ignited by a static discharge. Gasoline vapour is heavier than air and may travel a considerable distance to a source of ignition and flash back to a leak or open container. Liquid can float on water and may travel to distant locations and/or spread fire. During a fire, irritating/toxic gases may be generated. Can accumulate in confined spaces, resulting in a toxicity and flammability hazard. Containers may explode in heat of fire.

Is gasoline stable when exposed to air, moisture, or heat?

Gasoline is normally stable.

Are there any conditions to avoid when using gasoline?

Static discharge, friction, sparks, open flames, heat and other sources of ignition.

Does gasoline have an odour threshold (at what level can I smell it)?

0.12-0.15 ppm (recognition); 0.06-0.08 ppm (threshold)

Is the odour of gasoline reliable as a warning property?

GOOD - TLV is more than 10 times the odour threshold.

How can I work with gasoline safely?

This material is an EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE LIQUID and a SUSPECTED CANCER HAZARD. Before handling it is very important that engineering controls are operated and that protective equipment requirements are being followed. People working with this chemical should be properly trained regarding its hazards and its safe use.

Eliminate all ignition sources (e.g. sparks, open flames, hot surfaces). Keep away from heat. Post "NO-SMOKING" signs. It is very important to keep areas where this material is used clear of other materials which can burn. Use non-sparking ventilation systems, approved explosion-proof equipment and intrinsically safe electrical systems in areas of use.

Keep aisles and exits free of obstruction. Immediately report leaks, spills or ventilation failures.

Ground all drums, transfer vessels, hoses and piping. Ground clips must contact bare metal. When dispensing in other than a closed system, ensure dispensing container is bonded to receiving transfer equipment and container. Liquid can accumulate charge. In large scale operations, increase conductivity with additive designed for that purpose, reduce flowrate in transfer operations, increase time the liquid remains in transfer piping and/or handle at lower temperature. To prevent sparking, generously wet hard surfaces before they are chipped, ground, etc, in potentially hazardous areas.

Never perform any welding, cutting, soldering, drilling or other hot work on an empty vessel, container or piping until all liquid and vapours have been cleared. Have suitable emergency equipment for fires, spills and leaks readily available. For large scale operations, consider the installation of leak and fire detection equipment along with a suitable, automatic fire suppression system.

Use in smallest possible amounts in a well ventilated area separate from the storage area. Avoid generating vapours or mists. Prevent the release of vapours and mists into the workplace air. Do not use with incompatible materials such as strong oxidizing agents (e.g., peroxides, nitric acid and perchlorates). These can increase the risk of fire and explosion. Avoid generating vapours or mists. Do not dispense in storage area unless dispensing area is segregated by fire-resistant construction. Only use portable containers and dispensing equipment (faucet, pump, drip can) approved for flammable liquids. Do not siphon by mouth. Never return contaminated material to its original container. Label containers. Keep containers closed when not in use. Avoid damaging containers. Empty containers may contain hazardous residues.

Follow handling precautions on the Material Safety Data Sheet. Practice good housekeeping. Maintain handling equipment in good condition. Comply with applicable regulations.

What can be done to control hazardous conditions?

Engineering methods to control hazardous exposures are preferred. Methods include mechanical ventilation (dilution and local exhaust), process or personnel enclosure, control of process conditions, and process modification (e.g., substitution of a less hazardous material). Administrative controls and personal protective equipment may also be required.

Because of the high potential fire hazard associated with this substance, stringent control measures such as enclosure or isolation may be necessary. Use an explosion-proof, non-sparking, grounded ventilation system separate from other exhaust ventilation systems. Exhaust directly to the outside, taking necessary precautions for environmental protection. Air cleaning devices may be required. Provide sufficient local exhaust and general (dilution) ventilation. Supply sufficient replacement air to make up for air removed by exhaust systems.

Document last updated on January 15, 2003

Copyright ©1997-2008 Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety


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