Physical Hazards Defined
Physical hazard - means a chemical for which there is scientifically
valid evidence that it is a combustible liquid, a
compressed gas, explosive,
flammable, an organic peroxide, an
oxidizer, pyrophoric,
unstable (reactive)
or water-reactive.
Combustible liquid - means any liquid having a flashpoint at or above 100
deg. F (37.8 deg. C), but below 200 deg. F (93.3 deg. C), except any mixture
having components with flashpoints of 200 deg. F (93.3 deg. C), or higher,
the total volume of which make up 99 percent or more of the total volume of
the mixture.
Compressed gas - means:
- A gas or mixture of gases having, in a container, an absolute pressure
exceeding 40 psi at 70 deg. F (21.1 deg. C); or
- A gas or mixture of gases having, in a container, an absolute pressure
exceeding 104 psi at 130 deg. F (54.4 deg. C) regardless of the pressure at
70 deg. F (21.1 deg. C); or
- A liquid having a vapor pressure exceeding 40 psi at 100 deg. F (37.8
deg. C) as determined by ASTM D-323-72.
Explosive - means a chemical that causes a sudden, almost instantaneous
release of pressure, gas, and heat when subjected to sudden shock, pressure,
or high temperature.
Flammable - means a chemical that falls into one of the following
categories:
- "Aerosol, flammable" means an aerosol that, when tested by the method
described in 16 CFR 1500.45, yields a flame projection exceeding 18 inches
at full valve opening, or a flashback (a flame extending back to the valve)
at any degree of valve opening;
- "Gas, flammable" means: (A) A gas that, at ambient temperature and
pressure, forms a flammable mixture with air at a concentration of thirteen
(13) percent by volume or less; or(B) A gas that, at ambient temperature and pressure, forms a range of
flammable mixtures with air wider than twelve (12) percent by volume,
regardless of the lower limit;
- "Liquid, flammable" means any liquid having a flashpoint below 100
deg. F (37.8 deg. C), except any mixture having components with flashpoints
of 100 deg. F (37.8 deg. C) or higher, the total of which make up 99 percent
or more of the total volume of the mixture.
- "Solid, flammable" means a solid, other than a blasting agent or
explosive as defined in 1910.109(a), that is liable to cause fire through
friction, absorption of moisture, spontaneous chemical change, or retained
heat from manufacturing or processing, or which can be ignited readily and
when ignited burns so vigorously and persistently as to create a serious
hazard. A chemical shall be considered to be a flammable solid if, when
tested by the method described in 16 CFR 1500.44, it ignites and burns with
a self-sustained flame at a rate greater than one-tenth of an inch per
second along its major axis.
Organic peroxide - means an organic compound that contains the bivalent
-O-O-structure and which may be considered to be a structural derivative of
hydrogen peroxide where one or both of the hydrogen atoms has been replaced
by an organic radical.
Oxidizer - means a chemical other than a blasting agent or explosive as
defined in 1910.109(a), that initiates or promotes combustion in other
materials, thereby causing fire either of itself or through the release of
oxygen or other gases.
Pyrophoric - means a chemical that will ignite spontaneously in air at a
temperature of 130 deg. F (54.4 deg. C) or below.
Unstable (reactive) - means a chemical which in the pure state, or as
produced or transported, will vigorously polymerize, decompose, condense, or
will become self-reactive under conditions of shocks, pressure or
temperature.
Water-reactive - means a chemical that reacts with water to release a gas
that is either flammable or presents a health hazard.
Last Modified: February 1, 2008
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