Transferring hazardous chemicals between sites is a delicate operation. When a truck or tanker is unloaded into a storage tank, meticulous attention must be paid to the safety of personnel and cargo.
A chemical leak represents a real danger to people, equipment and the environment. So how can you ensure safe unloading and minimize the risk of accidents?
What is truck unloading?
Unloading involves unloading a truck carrying hazardous materials (liquids, gases or fine particles), or emptying a container or swap body of its products.
This is a high-risk handling operation, mainly involving trucks with horizontal or tilting aluminum, composite or stainless steel tanks.
These trucks are equipped with unloading ports to facilitate unloading. For high-volume unloading, secure overhead access is required.
What are the risks when unloading a truck?
In addition to the risks associated with transporting products by road, there are also significant risks associated with loading and unloading substances in tankers.
These relate to work situations and the specific nature of the chemical substances transported. They may include :
- Working at heights ;
- Lone worker situation ;
- Working under air pressure ;
- Load distribution and substance behavior ;
- Tank emptying ;
- Unplugging and connection risks
- Chemical contact ;
- Temperature-dependent chemical reaction
- Fire or explosion ;
- Tank tipping ;
- Etc.
How to secure truck unloading?
First of all, you need to choose a unloading area with sufficient headroom (at least 4.5 metres, rising to 6.5 metres as soon as a person needs to be at the height of the top of the tank).
The unloading area must be protected from prevailing winds, well-lit and maintained to allow for machine maneuvering and tipping.
For this type of operation, a fall-prevention gantry equipped with a rail can be installed to secure the agents’ work at height.
This type of installation not only ensures the safety of operators when working at height, but also enables the docks to be used without wasting time.
Fixed or mobile walkways with guardrails can also be used if no overhead access is provided on the truck to be unloaded.
It is also advisable to check that there is no pressure in the tank before starting operations.
Finally, it is essential that the tanker driver has received specific training for unloading. This training must lead to the issue of a tanker training certificate, and must be presented to the establishments for which the driver works.
In the event of a storm, it is essential to stop unloading.
In the event of an emergency (accident, fire, etc.), the safety rules set out in the appropriate protocol must be applied. In such cases, make sure you have the necessary fire safety equipment: fire siren, fire extinguisher, etc.
What are the truck unloading zones?
Truck unloading areas and zones include :
- Unloading area: place where the truck positions itself to transfer the cargo.
- Safety zone: perimeter around the truck to ensure safety.
- Connection area: point where pipes or conduits are connected for the transfer of liquids or gases.
- Control area: space for monitoring unloading operations and intervening in the event of a problem.
Each zone is designed to maximize safety and efficiency.
How do you unload a tanker truck?
Tank truck unloading includes grounding the tank truck, connecting the pipes, transferring the product by pumping or gravity, constant monitoring to avoid leaks, and cleaning the equipment. Safety is paramount, especially for flammable or chemical materials.
Would you like to know more about truck unloading?
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