If your workers mix and heat flammable solvents in open tanks, make sure they follow proper safeguards. That’s the advice of the US Chemical Safety Board (CSB) as it investigates a fatal explosion and fire that killed one person and injured five others at Universal Form Clamp Company in Bellwood, IL, on June 14, 2006. The incident occurred while workers were heating and mixing flammable solvents in an open tank. There were approximately 11,000 pounds (5,000 kg) of heptane and mineral spirits in the tank. (Heptane is a highly flammable and volatile liquid that is a component of gasoline.) During the heating process […]