Washington – Hydrogen gas-cooled electric generators are used by many electric power plants, and employers should ensure the gas is properly purged before maintenance to minimize the risk of fatal flash fires, a new Safety and Health Information Bulletin from OSHA warns.
The bulletin, issued in January, includes a case study in which workers did not properly purge hydrogen gas from a bushing box, a housing containing generator lead terminals. When a worker entered the bushing box with an electric light and fan, a flash fire erupted and fatally burned the worker.
To prevent injuries or deaths when purging hydrogen gas from generator housings and bushing boxes, OSHA recommends these tips:
- Follow manufacturer recommendations when establishing purging procedures.
- Train workers on hydrogen gas purging procedures.
- Develop and implement written procedures for confined spaces.
- Place detectors in areas where hydrogen gas could accumulate.
