National Safety Alert
No. 5
March 6, 2002
SAFETY ALERT
Cell Phone Results in Fire
Recently, a flash fire occurred on a platform
in the Gulf of Mexico OCS Region while a contract panel
specialist was working on an open panel that used supply gas for the instrumentation. The
contractor was carrying a cellular phone that was turned on and rang while working on the
panel. When the employee flipped the bottom piece of the phone to answer the call, a flash
fire occurred causing second degree burns on his forearms and face.
To prevent portable electronic devices (PEDs) from igniting Class I,
Group D gases or vapors (e.g. methane, propane, natural gas, gasoline), the
BOEMRE recommends
you consider initiating one or more of the following practices:
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Include
procedures for using PEDs in your "hot work" permit, if not already
incorporated.
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Make
employees aware of the potential hazards when using electronic
devices (e.g., pagers, cellular phones, laptop computers, drills,
pocket PC’s, cameras, video equipment, and radios) in hazardous
classified locations.
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Only allow employees to use PEDs that have been tested,
approved and labeled by a third party testing laboratory such as Factory Mutual (FM) or
Underwriters Laboratory (UL) certifying their use in Class I, Group D locations.
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Use intrinsically safe portable electronic equipment, that
use low capacitance components, special board layouts, and encapsulation techniques which
meet stringent standards (e.g., API RP 14F & 14FZ) for use in hazardous environments. |
For further information, please contact David Nedorostek, (703) 787-1029.
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