iLearn is the complete online training management system, blended with eLearning and Competency Tracking. The system makes health and safety training management easy
e-Learning courses
Range of eLearning courses accessible from the Individual Training Record, providing an overview of course status and access to relevant certificates on completion.
Competency tracker
Built on a four stage process, tracking the status of competence against defined standards, these can be company policies through to relevant site procedures.
The face to face training tracker
The Face to Face Training Tracker provides a control system for any ‘off line’ training undertaken by site personnel; this includes specific onsite and offsite training courses.
Toolbox Talks
Toolbox Talks, short eLearning courses providing key information across a range of terms. Each short course comprises introduction, video, assessment and certification.
Management reports
Range of reporting services from full company reports to individual and site reports, dependent on users role. Every user has access to their Individual Training Record (ITR).
Download your free guide to online training with iLearn for more information
This toolbox talk covers the importance of clear communication between Ship and Shore when conducting the transfer of bulk liquid products between vessels and terminals.
With a short video followed by assessment questions, start learning now. Upon successful completion, download and print your certificate.
iLearn redefines health and safety training management systems. Put operators through their paces with a range of petroleum, occupational and fire safety courses. Track their competency and simplify your management in the process.
The online system is easy to use. This walk-through video guide introduces you to your new safety training platform.
Risk assessment is key to maintaining the safe storage of flammable liquids in tanks. To help businesses achieve this, safety requirements are made under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations where flammable liquids are intentionally present in the workplace.
In addition, specific directions exist under regulation 5 of DSEAR. These are designed to help you and your site:
Identify potential activities that may pose risk to your employees and others
Determine the measures to be taken to eliminate or reduce these risks so far as reasonably practicable
The risk assessment required under DSEAR may be carried out as part of the risk assessment requirements of the Management Regulations and general fire safety legislation. This follows the same approach as that used in health and safety legislation.
In line with the need to take account of the presence of flammable liquids in the general fire safety risk assessment, you may find it of benefit to carry out the required risk assessments as a consolidated exercise.
A risk assessment should be conducted regardless of the quantity of flammable liquids present at the workplace. This is because it will enable you to decide whether existing measures are sufficient or, likewise, whether any additional controls or precautions are necessary.
Alongside assessing normal activities within the workplace, you will also need to assess non-routine activities. These, for instance, might include:
Maintenance work where there is often a higher potential for fire and explosion incidents to occur
If no risk to safety is detected from fires and explosions: no further action is needed. If they are detected: you must consider what you need to do to comply fully with the requirements of DSEAR.
Carrying out a risk assessment
The assessment should factor in risks arising from tank contents, associated operational activities and external sources. The aims of the assessment are to determine:
How the flammable liquid could be released
The consequences of such a release
How such a release could be ignited
What external risks are present
How to mitigate the consequences of a release
Factors which should be considered when assessing a storage installation include:
Storage capacity
Location of the tank, in relation to site boundaries, buildings, process areas and fixed sources of ignition
Design standards for the installation
Quantities and locations of other flammable liquids
Quantities and locations of other dangerous substances
Tank contents and any likely residues
Activities on adjacent premises
Training and competence of site operatives
Supervision of staff
Frequency of deliveries
Loading and unloading operations
Inspection and maintenance
The surrounding environment
Download the HSE’s guidance on the storage of flammable liquids in tanks
Need help with risk assessment?
If you need more information and guidance on risk assessment in the tank storage sector, Reynolds Training Services is standing by to help.
An array of hazards surround the management of above and below ground fixed bulk storage tanks. Atop this list resides fire and explosions.
For these to occur, typically it requires a trio of elements to form a chain reaction:
Flammable liquid
Source of ignition
And, air
What are the common causes of incidents?
Fires or explosions often happen when vapours or liquids are released from a controlled environment to areas where there may be an ignition source. Alternatively, this can occur when an ignition source is introduced into a controlled environment.
Common causes of such incidents include:
Lack of awareness of the properties of flammable liquids
Operator error caused by lack of training
Hot work on or close to flammable liquid containers
Inadequate design of equipment
Inadequate installation or maintenance
Failure or malfunction of equipment
Exposure to heat from a nearby fire
Misuse of flammable liquids, for example, to burn waste materials or brighten fires
Inadequate control of ignition sources
Electrostatic discharges
Heating materials above their auto-ignition temperature
Dismantling or disposing of equipment containing flammable liquids
Incidents involving flammable liquids typically occur during transfer operations.
These include:
Movement from storage
Decanting or dispensing
Movement within premises
Use in processes
Disposal
Dealing with spillages
What are flammable vapours?
Combustion of liquids occurs when flammable vapours released from the surface of the liquid ignite. The amount of flammable vapour produced:
Dictates the extent of the fire or explosion hazard (other factors largely on the temperature of the liquid, its volatility, how much of the surface area is exposed, how long it is exposed for, and air movement over the surface)
What is a flashpoint?
A flashpoint, in it’s simplest terms, relates to the lowest temperature at which a liquid gives off vapour in sufficient concentration to form a combustible mixture with air near the surface of the liquid.
In the main, a liquid with a flashpoint residing below ambient temperature produces a vapour that can mix with air and be ignited. Liquids with a flashpoint greater than ambient temperature are less likely to give off flammable concentrations of vapours unless they are heated, mixed with low flashpoint materials or released under pressure as a mist or spray.
Even so, be mindful that a material residing below its flashpoint can also be ignited when spread out as a thin film over a large area of ground or when spilled onto clothing.
What is an explosion limit?
An explosion limit defines the concentration – normally by volume – of vapour at specified temperatures that will ignite a flame. Whilst explosion limits vary greatly for different substances, for many they are in the range of 1% to 10%.
What is a vapour?
Take water and solvent mixtures or emulsion materials: these only release vapours slowly. Such materials can flash during a flashpoint determination and therefore be assigned a flashpoint. Even so, they may not have the ability to sustain combustion at the temperatures encountered in normal use.
You should always be mindful that flammable vapours can build up in enclosed spaces above the liquid and, if ignited, could explode.
What is viscosity?
Why is the viscosity of a liquid significant? Because it determines how far any spilt material will spread and, as a result, the size of any exposed surface. In general, solvents have a low viscosity and, when spilt, spread quickly. This in turn allows a rapid build-up of vapours from the surface of the liquid.
Some liquid formulations, such as paints and resins, may have a high viscosity. This means that, if they are spilled, they spread and produce vapours more slowly than would the individual solvent constituents.
What is ignition?
A flammable vapour–air mix is easily ignited by an array of external ignition sources. Even if there are no external sources present, the mixture may self-ignite if it is heated above its autoignition temperature.
As such, the properties of a flammable liquid should be established before the material is used. This way, adequate precautions can be taken.
What is a physical environment?
In addition to all the other risk factors, the physical environment in which flammable liquids are handled also determines how hazards may develop. Whether the released vapour is able to build up to a concentration within its flammable range depends on:
The ventilation at the surface of the liquid
The presence of enclosures to trap or contain the vapours
In many cases the vapour will be heavier than air. As a result, it will tend to accumulate in lower areas or in depressions such as pits, gullies and drains. Be mindful that vapours can spread away from the liquid; if they are ignited the flame will travel or ‘flash’ back to the liquid.
Typical fire and explosion events include:
Pool fire: where the released flammable liquid forms a pool (often within the bund)
Jet fire: where the flammable liquid is released under pressure;
Tank fire: where the liquid or its vapour burn within the tank (or on the surface of a floating roof tank)
Rim seal fire: on a floating roof tank where a fire burns at the rim seal area only; vapour cloud explosion where flammable vapours accumulate in an enclosed or partially enclosed area and on ignition produce significant overpressures
Don’t forget possible health hazards
Flammable liquids can also pose a health hazard if they are inhaled, ingested or come into contact with skin or eyes.
Download the HSE’s guidance storage of flammable liquids in tanks
Need more advice?
Need more advice on above and below ground fixed bulk storage tank? Ok, contact Reynolds Training Services and we’ll be happy to help.
IOSH Approved Principles of Process Safety Management training helps managers, operators and safety providers leave no stone unturned when it comes to processing good onsite safety.
This course outlines the importance that process safety management plays within the high hazard sector, exploring the Hazardous Installations Directorate Major Hazard Management System covering:
Leadership
Hazard identification
Risk assessment and profiling
Control measures or barriers
Check, measure and review
Good process safety doesn’t happen by chance and helps prevent incidents before they happen.
What is process safety?
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Identify the impact of poor process safety management and the role of the Regulator
Identify the tools that contribute to process safety management
Understand the role that leadership plays in the major hazard management systems
Recognise how to embed a good safety culture and identify the components of competence
List and identify the tools that can be used to identify major accident hazards
Understand the tools that can be used to assess risk associated with hazardous substances and processes
Understand the concept of inherently safer design and barriers used to prevent, control and mitigate hazard realisation including emergency response procedures
DOWNLOAD IOSH COURSE FLYER
How do I start learning?
Want more information about the IOSH Approved Principles of Process Safety Management? Dates? Venue? Costs?
Investigating accidents can reveal the causes and provide insights which help us plan today for a safer tomorrow.
RTS’ IOSH Approved Accident Investigation Course session provides delegates with the skills and knowledge needed to analyse work-related incidents as a part of managing onsite health and safety.
This course is based on HSG245 Investigating Incidents and Accidents.
How will I be assessed?
By way of a written test and practical workshop
What will I achieve?
At the end of this session, you will be able to:
Appreciate the importance of correctly investigating accidents and the lessons that can be learned from previous adverse events
Understand the legislative requirements and guidance available for investigating accidents
Define the types of adverse events that occur onsite and understand the potential consequences
Identify the key steps within accident investigation processes and conduct an accident investigation
How do I start learning?
Want more information about the IOSH Approved Accident Investigation Course? Dates? Venue? Costs?
A distillery has been fined after an employee was engulfed in flames in a fire that ripped through its warehouse.
The blaze broke out on 26th November, 2012, at its distillery in Oldbury, West Midlands. Wolverhampton Crown Court heard how a 21-year-old Alcohols Limited worker was transferring the highly flammable solvent ethyl acetate from a bulk storage tank to an intermediate bulk container.
A subsequent investigation by the Health and Safety Executive surmised it was likely that the fire was sparked by an electrostatic discharge generated during the transfer process.
Alcohols Limited pleaded guilty to breaching s 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act. It was fined £270,000 and ordered to pay costs of £25,009.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Kieron Jones said: “Companies that fail to ensure the integrity of their safety critical equipment place their employees, members of the public, emergency services and their entire livelihood at risk of serious harm.”
The worker incurred 20% burns to his head, neck and hands. The ensuing fire destroyed the warehouse, damaging nearby houses and cars before West Mercia Fire and Rescue Services could bring it under control.
Mr Jones added: “Poor management of highly flammable liquids can have catastrophic results both for individuals and businesses.”
During its investigation, the HSE found pipework and valves on the premises were poorly maintained and not competently inspected. The company also failed to appropriately monitor the systems of work.
Alcohols Limited, a division of the family-owned WH Palmer Industries group, makes own-brand spirits including gin and vodka for retailers.
HSG176 helps sites assess risks surrounding the use of flammable liquids and implement systems of control. HSG176 storage of flammable liquids in tanks was recently updated to align with the recommendations of the Buncefield report.
The guidance applies to:
Above and below ground fixed bulk storage tanks
Premises where flammable liquids are stored in individual tanks or groups of tanks
Portable or skid-mounted vessels with capacities in excess of 1000 litres
HSG176 is one of a trio of documents dealing with fire and explosion hazards associated with flammable liquids.
The other two are:
HSG51 – Storage of flammable liquids in containers
HSG140 – Safe use and handling of flammable liquids
The document also gives you guidance on the design, construction, operation and maintenance of installation used for the storage of flammable liquids in fixed and transportable tanks operating at or near atmospheric pressure.
We need you! Do you have what it takes to work with one of the UK’s leading providers of training, assessment and competency management to the high hazard, downstream and bulk liquid warehousing sectors?
Great! Then we’d love to hear from you. Why are we hiring? To support our continued growth. That’s why Reynolds Training Services is seeking out an Assessor to work primarily within Bulk Liquid Operations.
Who is this job for?
At RTS, we offer a range of qualifications. So, whilst the role is mainly focused in the bulk liquid sector, we’re also inviting Assessors experienced in other sectors to apply.
Ideally, an Associate/Consultant will fill this role. Even so, we’re keen to talk to you if:
You have experience in this industry
Have a drive to take the next step in your career
Read, download and print job description
Ready to apply?
That’s great. Send your cv with the job title in the subject line to admin@reynoldstraining.com or contact us directly for more information.
