Every professional working in the oil and gas sector knows how important it is to have specific hand tools that minimize the risk of accidents in the workplace. Worker safety is a top concern in every industry, which is why they choose non-sparking tools to help avoid situations like fires and explosions.
When it comes to ensuring safety in the workplace, investing in spark-free safety tools is probably the best course of action. These tools are known for performing at their best in industries such as coal mines, oil refineries and offshore oil rigs.
Now, you must be a little curious to know what's so special about these tools and what they are made of to eliminate sparks and ensure safety in the workplace. But before we get into that part, let's start with some brief explanations of spark-free tools.
What are Non Sparking Tools?
Non-sparking safety tools, also commonly referred to as “spark reduction”, “spark resistant” or “spark proof”, are used in work environments containing flammable gases, vapors, dust, residues and liquids. They prevent the generation of sparks, thereby eliminating the risk of fire and explosion.
Non-sparking tools are usually made of non-ferrous metals (metals that do not contain iron) such as bronze, brass, copper-nickel alloys or copper-aluminum alloys to reduce the risk of sparking during tool use.
These tools are popular in industry because they prevent fires and explosions in environments that may contain flammable vapors, dust, residues or steam. The use of non-sparking safety tools is best practice when working in confined spaces and areas where flammable dusts, gases or liquids are present.
Because these tools are made of non-ferrous metals, they are softer than standard tools made of high-strength alloy steel. They also have lower tensile strength and resistance, which makes them wear out faster. But they have an advantage that other types of tools don't have, and that is that the cold sparks they produce have relatively low heat, not enough to ignite anything.
How To Use Non Sparking Safety Tools?
An important tip: Clean all non-sparking tools thoroughly after use, making sure they are free of any ferrous contaminants or rust, as ferrous contaminants can render the non-sparking properties of the tool useless.
Also, remember not to use tools in direct contact with acetylene, mainly in the presence of moisture, as this can lead to highly dangerous and explosive acetylene.
In addition, do not forget to regularly sharpen all your sparking tools, follow safety procedures such as protecting your face and eyes, and use the proper tools to collect the powder. Finally, you must ventilate the premises to eliminate potentially harmful powders and vapors from the atmosphere.
These are some simple rules you can follow to ensure the long-term operation of your tools and to minimize possible hazards in the workplace.
Final Thoughts
Non-sparking tools have unique properties that make them ideal for use in flammable environments. Thanks to these tools, work in different industries, such as chemical, oil and gas, coal mining, pharmaceuticals, etc., has become easier and safer. In addition, these tools are non-magnetic, so they do not create electronic interference in the industry, maintaining high safety standards.
Safety tools are different from ordinary hand tools and are guaranteed to last a long time. With these tools, professionals can operate effectively without putting their safety at risk.
