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Wood preservation facilities, creosote: chapter D, table 8

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Table 8. Additional Safety Precautions for Personnel Working with Creosote

(Use in conjunction with Part I, Chapter A - General Recommendations for All Wood Preservatives, Table 8.)

Activity Recommendations
Objective: Ensure safe workplace practices for each activity during the treatment process
General
  • Impermeable resistance rating of materials for creosote:
  • excellent -- viton, neoprene, butyl rubber
  • good -- nitrile, polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
  • fair -- polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene
  • Respirators* must be in accordance with NIOSHguidelines (PAH and organic vapours cartridges)
  • First aid kits must contain Fleet Phospho-Soda
Unloading or handling creosote
  • Should wear a respirators and must be in accordance with NIOSHguidelines (PAH and organic vapours cartridges)
  • Provide adequate equipment for safe, controlled transfer of creosote as outlined in the National Fire Code of Canadaand as appropriate for the specific facility.
Sampling procedures
  • Wear eye protection and gauntlets impermeable to creosote when sampling creosote solutions, e.g., from a pipe tap.
  • Should wear a respirators and must be in accordance with NIOSHguidelines (polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons and organic vapours cartridges) when sampling creosote solutions or treated wood (if at temperatures above ambient).
  • Other non-routine sampling efforts such as through cover ports may necessitate more stringent precautions.
Cleaning cylinders or storage tanks
  • Follow appropriate confined space program and procedures.
  • Provide self-contained breathing apparatus with full facepiece operated in pressure-demand or other positive pressure mode.
  • Provide combination respirator that includes Type C-supplied air respirator and full facepiece operated in pressure-demand or other positive pressure or continuous-flow mode and auxiliary self-contained breathing apparatus operated in pressure-demand or other positive pressure mode.
Handling treated lumber
  • Wear a breathing apparatus if treated wood is handled in enclosed areas (e.g. boxcars).
  • Change coveralls daily.
Handling and maintaining contaminated equipment
  • Thoroughly steam-clean or flush contaminated equipment with solvent (e.g. Varsol or equivalent) prior to handling. (Contain all solvent washings.)
  • Change coveralls daily.
Welding
  • Prevent distribution of sparks to other contaminated areas or to areas where volatiles of creosote may be deposited.

*An initial workplace monitoring program will have determined the need for respirator use. The results of the program are assumed to be indicative of conditions in subsequent facility operations, unless procedural or design changes have occurred.

Note: Observe also the general precautions and personal hygiene measures outlined in Part I, Chapter A - General Recommendations for All Wood Preservatives.

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