Abstract
Aim: This article explores the levels of risks faced by firefighters associated with the explosion of tanks/cylinders containing compressed flammable gases during fires.
Introduction: Explosions are among the causes of accidents during firefighting and rescue operations. The scale of this problem is reflected in the statistical data on the victims of incidents involving the explosion of industrial gases – the number of people injured in industrial-gas explosions between 2000 and 2014 was 945, including 84 rescuers, and the number of deaths was 48. As a result of economic growth, there are more and more containers with compressed gases, including tanks for alternative car fuels, being sold and transported. Therefore, explosions seem unavoidable, and their number is not likely to drop.
Methodology: The risks associated with firefighting operations involving the risk of the explosion of tanks/cylinders containing compressed flammable gases were estimated on the basis of the PN-N-18002:2011 standard. Under this standard, occupational risks associated with any identified workplace hazards can be assessed by determining the likelihood of the consequences of such hazards which can affect the life and health of personnel, and the severity of such consequences. Using risk matrix as the risk-assessment method, it was established that during firefighting and rescue operations explosions of tanks/cylinders with industrial gases are likely, and their consequences for firefighters are moderate or serious. On this basis, the explosion of a tank/cylinder containing compressed flammable gas, as a risk for firefighters at work, was assessed as moderate or serious (based on the severity of the explosion’s consequences).
Conclusions: Moderate risk is treated as acceptable, while serious risk as unacceptable. Both these risk levels require the appropriate measures to be taken in order to reduce occupational-risk levels (both by reducing the likelihood of such incidents as the explosion of a tank/cylinder with a compressed flammable gas, and by using firefighter protection to cushion the effects of the explosion).
Keywords: firefighter, occupational risk, compressed flammable gas tank/cylinder explosion
Type of article: review article