PDFWAC 296-79-250

Safety procedure for handling sulfur.

(1) Sulfur burners. Sulfur-burner houses must:
(a) Be safely and adequately ventilated; and
(b) Have every precaution taken to guard against dust, explosion hazards and fires, in accordance with American National Standards Z9.2-1979 (R1991).
(2) Handling/storage of dry sulfur.
(a) Nonsparking tools and equipment must be used in handling dry sulfur.
(b) Sulfur storage bins must be kept free of sulfur dust accumulation, and buildings should be designed with explosion relief, in accordance with the latest revision of American National Standard Z9.2-1979 (R1991).
(c) Sulfur-melting equipment must not be located in the burner room.
(3) Handling/storage of liquid sulfur.
(a) Each facility utilizing liquid sulfur must:
(i) Carefully examine its own handling system; and
(ii) Formulate a written procedure for maintenance, receiving, storing and using this product.
(b) A minimum of two trained employees must be assigned when a tank car is first opened in preparation for venting and unloading.
(c) Approved respiratory protective equipment for H2S exposure, chemical splash goggles and gloves must be worn when performing this work.
(d) Spark producing or electric operated tools must not be used to unplug railroad car vents.
(e) Where venting can cause harmful exposure to other unprotected workers in the area:
(i) A venting system must be installed which adequately contains any gas escapement from a tank car while venting;
(ii) The vented gas must be carried to a safe location for discharge or circulated through a scrubbing system;
(iii) The venting system must be connected before valves which would allow escapement are opened.
(f) Smoking, open burning or welding must be prohibited while unloading is in process or danger of gas escapement exists.
(4) Acid plant - Protection for employees.
(a) Where lime slaking takes place, employees must be provided with rubber boots, rubber gloves, protective aprons, and eye protection. A deluge shower and eyewash must be provided to flush the skin and eyes to counteract lime and acid burns.
(b) Hoops for acid storage tanks must be:
(i) Made of round rods rather than flat strips; and
(ii) Regularly inspected and safety maintained.
(c) Sulphur burner ignitors must have a means to automatically shut off the fuel to the ignitor when the flame has been extinguished.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 17-16-132, § 296-79-250, filed 8/1/17, effective 9/1/17. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040 and [49.17].050. WSR 99-16-083, § 296-79-250, filed 8/3/99, effective 11/3/99. Statutory Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW. WSR 91-24-017 (Order 91-07), § 296-79-250, filed 11/22/91, effective 12/24/91; Order 76-7, § 296-79-250, filed 3/1/76; Order 74-24, § 296-79-250, filed 5/6/74; Order 70-6, § 296-79-250, filed 7/10/70, effective 8/10/70.]