Protecting your hands with propane cylinder handling gloves is as important as protecting your eyes, head, ears with PPEs.
Gloves are required when handling propane cylinder not only to protect the skin from this irritating liquid but also to lessen of risk of injury.
Propane is a very cold liquid that can cause frost burn when it comes into contact with the exposed skin of the hands and therefore the gloves must be made of durable PVC-coated for the propane not to penetrate to the underlying layer and onto the skin.
Forklift operators are more prone to an accident involving propane because they usually exchange cylinders to fuel their trucks.
In this article, we will be discussing how to prevent accidents and keep hands free from harm when doing the tasks of moving and exchanging propane bottles.
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What Kind of Gloves Do You Use for Propane?
With so many available choices of gloves out in the market today, one would be confused in choosing. Selecting the right kind of gloves for the specific task of handling propane is crucial in averting risk.
The specific type of gloves in handling propane cylinders are those that are made of PVC-coated which are orange in color for better visibility and have a foam insulating layer beneath the rubber. The gloves should have a temperature rating of 4°F to 176°F to withstand the cold and hot temperature.
PVC (polyvinylchloride) type of gloves are known in the petrochemical industry because of its durability and toughness. Not only that PVC gloves are inexpensive and can be used as disposable.
PVC gloves should not contain silicon. In this specific job of handling propane cylinders, it is not recommended to use gloves with ketones or chlorinated solvents as it can harden the PVC making the gloves inflexible.
Should You Wear Gloves When Pouring Propane?
If you’re doing the task of pouring propane without using any PPE, stop it right now! When pouring propane from a larger cylinder to a smaller one, you must wear appropriate gloves in doing this task otherwise you are putting yourself in danger.
The cylinder contains high pressure, when pouring propane, the pressure may escape splashing your exposed hands with propane. To protect your hands, you must wear gloves in pouring propane.
When pouring propane, make sure there is no ignition source and there is enough ventilation in the area, otherwise, you know what will happen!
What to Do If You Get Propane on Your Hands?
Propane being a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), for it to be safely used, is stored in a pressurized bottle in its cooled liquid form. The bottle being pressured, when opened, the gas may blast with great force and splatter propane to your hands and may cause frost burn and inflict damage to the affected area of the hand.
If you’re wondering what to do if you get propane on your hands, the first aid that one can do to administer with such burn is to fill a tub with water (not too hot, not too cold), and immerse the affected hand in the water to alleviate some of the aching.
Comfort the person and have him seated. Urge the injured individual to work/move the affected hand to assess the condition. If there are blisters on the burn area, do not break them. If the person is in severe pain, call medical assistance right away.
What PPE is Required When Working with Propane?
When handling propane to refuel equipment such as a forklift or even transferring the liquid to other cylinders, wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) is definitely required prior to doing the task.
Aside from PVC-coated gloves, goggles to protect the eyes, a face shield to cover the face, an apron to protect your torso, and a long-sleeve shirt to guard the arms against a small amount of liquid residue are the PPEs required when working with propane. Steel-toed shoes are also a necessary PPE when handling propane cylinders, cylinders are heavy when they are full, and there’s a great chance that one may fall on your foot. Wearing of PPEs is the minimum level of safety precaution that must be taken in order to work safely with propane.
The common accident when working with propane is when valves are opened, the compressed gas inside the cylinder can discharge with excessive force splashing propane liquid to the person doing the task. The liquid can come into contact with exposed areas of the skin and even in the eyes.
An eyewash station must readily be available. Company owners are required to install eyewash station in their facilities that can immediately be used when such accident happens with the worker.
