ethylbenzene : ENVIRONMENTAL, HEALTH & SAFETY Guidelines
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4.3.1 Emergency Response Intervention Card – ERICard

The Emergency Response Intervention Cards (ERICards or ERIC's) provide guidance on initial actions for trained fire crews when they first arrive at the scene of a chemical transport accident without appropriate and reliable product-specific emergency information. ERICards are intended for land-transport accidents involving a substantial amount of product and therefore may not be appropriate for accidents in other situations.

ERICards apply to product groups, hence should not serve as substitutes for specific product information obtained from a reliable source (e.g. safety data sheet, reference databases or industry experts). For this reason, using ERICards requires sound judgement taking into account the particular circumstances of each accident.

ERICard relevant for ethylbenzene:

Substance ETHYLBENZENE
UN Number 1175
HIN 33
ADR Label 3
ADR Class 3
Classification Code F1
Packing Group II
ERIC 3-11
Emergency Response Information HIGHLY FLAMMABLE LIQUID

1. Characteristics.

  • Gives off dangerous fumes.
  • Flash point below 23°C.
  • Hazardous to eyes and air passages.
  • Immiscible or partly miscible with water (less than 10%), lighter than water.

2. Hazards.

  • Heating of container(s) will cause pressure rise with risk of bursting and subsequent explosion (BLEVE).
  • May form explosive mixture with air.
  • Gives off toxic and irritant fumes when heated or burning.
  • The vapour may be invisible and is heavier than air. It spreads along the ground and may enter sewers and basements.
  • May be narcotic and cause unconsciousness.

3. Personal Protection.

  • Self contained breathing apparatus.
  • Chemical protection suit if risk of personal contact.
  • Consider wearing standard fire fighting clothing underneath the suit.

4. Intervention Actions.

4.1 General.

  • Keep upwind.
  • No smoking, eliminate ignition sources.
  • PUBLIC SAFETY HAZARD - Warn people nearby to stay indoors with doors and windows closed. Stop any ventilation. Consider evacuation of people in immediate danger.
  • Minimise number of personnel in risk area.

4.2 Spillage.

  • Stop leaks if possible.
  • Contain spillage by any means available.
  • Check explosive limits.
  • Use low sparking hand tools and intrinsically safe equipment.
  • Absorb liquid in sand or earth or any other suitable material, or cover with foam.
  • If substance has entered a water course or sewer, inform the responsible authority.
  • Ventilate sewers and basements where there is no risk to personnel or public.

4.3 Fire (Involving the Substance).

  • Keep container(s) cool with water.
  • Extinguish with foam - dry powder, subsequently secure with foam blanket.
  • Do not use water jet or fog (spray) to extinguish.
  • Use water spray to knock down fire fumes if possible.
  • Avoid unnecessary run-off of extinguishing media which may cause pollution.

5. First Aid.

  • If substance has got into eyes, wash out with water for at least 15 minutes and seek immediate medical attention.
  • Persons who have been in contact with the substance or have inhaled fumes should get immediate medical attention. Pass on all available product information.
  • In case of burns, immediately cool affected skin for as long as possible with cold water. Do not remove clothing adhering to skin.
  • Remove contaminated clothing immediately and wash affected skin with soap and plenty of water.

6. Essential Precautions for Product Recovery.

  • Ensure proper earthing of pumping equipment.
  • Use flame proof pump(s). If electrically driven, minimum class T3.
  • Use mineral oil resistant equipment.
  • Recover spilled product in vented container fitted with absorption filter.

7. Precautions after Intervention.

7.1 Undressing.

  • Drench contaminated suit and breathing apparatus with water/detergent before removing facemask and suit.
  • Use chemical protection suit and self contained breathing apparatus while undressing contaminated co-workers or handling contaminated equipment.
  • Contain decontamination run off.

7.2 Equipment Clean Up.

  • Drench with water/detergent before transporting from incident.
     
 
 

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