IM 25.000AA UA (B/6-00)
CHLORINE HANDLING MANUAL
PAGE 14
The attending physician may wish to refer to a Material
Safety Data Sheet on chlorine as well as to the Chlorine
Institute’s Chlorine Manual and/or Pamphlet 63, First Aid
and Medical Management of Chlorine Exposures.
5.3 SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
The first steps to be taken in providing proper safety precau-
tions at any facility are the selection of safety equipment to
be on hand, the proper location of the equipment, and the
training of all personnel in proper procedures to avoid un-
necessary chlorine releases and to deal with releases that
occur.
Proper respiratory equipment is essential for all facilities
regardless of size. For maximum safety, it is preferable to use
air tank type pressure demand masks that have a self-con-
tained air supply and, therefore, are suitable regardless of
chlorine concentration.
All respiratory equipment must meet the requirements of the
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Fol-
lowing the respiratory equipment manufacturer’s recommen-
dation regarding maintenance and periodic testing is essen-
tial. This equipment should be stored outside the area con-
taining chlorine or chlorine equipment in a manner protect-
ing it from damage of any kind and so as to be readily avail-
able.
WARNING: DO NOT LOCK CABINETS OR CLOS-
ETS IN WHICH RESPIRATORY EQUIPMENT IS
STORED, AS THE EQUIPMENT MUST BE READILY
AVAILABLE.
All personnel with no assigned responsibility for dealing
with a chlorine release should be instructed to leave the area.
Those responsible for correcting the situation should don
respiratory equipment before doing so.
Protective clothing is recommended for handling even rou-
tine operations involving chlorine. In the event of a substan-
tial release, protective clothing is required. Anyone desiring
further information on protective clothing should refer to the
Chlorine Institute Pamphlet 65, Protective Clothing for
Chlorine.
Safety shoes, hard hats, and safety glasses should be used in
accordance with standard plant practice.
Most leaks will occur in piping, valves, connections, and the
pressurized portions of chlorine equipment. These leaks will
usually be eliminated by tightening packing, replacing gas-
kets, or repairing the equipment.
WARNING: REPLACE FLEXIBLE CONNECTIONS
ANNUALLY, OR SOONER IF THERE IS EVIDENCE
OF DETERIORATION.
Emergency kits (meeting Chlorine Institute requirements)
are available that can seal off most leaking areas of chlorine
containers (i.e., valves, fusible plugs, or container wall). If
these are on hand they must be used only by personnel thor-
oughly familiar with their use. The chlorine supplier should
be contacted immediately for information, assistance, and
advice on the disposition of the leaking container. The con-
tainer should always be repositioned, if possible, so the leak
is gas rather than liquid.
WARNING: NEVER UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE
SPRAY WATER ON A CHLORINE LEAK. THIS WILL
ONLY MAKE IT WORSE.
Wall charts are available from most chlorine suppliers that
provide much of the information contained in this manual.
5.4 EMERGENCY ACTION PLANS
The best emergency plan includes routine practices that are
designed to minimize emergencies. Proper maintenance of
all equipment associated with the storage, handling, and use
of chlorine in accordance with the manufacturer’s instruc-
tions is essential.
All equipment and piping containing chlorine under pres-
sure must be tested periodically for leaks following proce-
dures covered in Paragraph 4.8. Since it is not unusual for
areas used for chlorine storage and chlorine equipment to be
relatively unattended, it is important for the air in these areas
to be monitored continuously with chlorine detectors, so that
warning of leaks is given as early as possible. As with most
emergencies, the earliest detection helps to minimize the
damage to equipment and personnel. In addition to warning
of leaks when the areas are unattended, chlorine detectors
should warn of the presence of minor amounts of chlorine
that may not be detected by personnel in the area.
Some chlorine leaks are minor but all require immediate
attention.
In the event of a major release of chlorine, there should be no
delay in contacting the agency in the community that is
responsible for handling hazardous material releases. Ap-
propriate names and telephone numbers must be prominently
posted.
The chlorine supplier is probably the best source of assistance
for most chlorine users. In addition, the Chlorine Institute’s
Chlorine Emergency Plan (CHLOREP) can provide vital as-
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