Safety measures are required when welding flammable items

A factory fleet had a cracked empty gasoline drum that needed to be welded. The welding team suggested that welding without taking any precautions would be dangerous, but the fleet argued that the drum was dry and therefore posed no risk. Consequently, without taking any safety precautions, the welding team began welding. One welder was crouching on the ground, welding with gas, while another held the drum with his hands. As soon as welding began, the drum exploded, sending the ends flying and shattering the drum into a single sheet of metal. The welder was killed instantly.

The main cause of the accident:

The explosive limit of gasoline for motor vehicles is 0.89% to 5.16%, a very low lower explosive limit. Therefore, even if the drum is dry, if a small amount of residual oil is absorbed by the micropores of the rusty surface of the drum's inner wall, or if residual oil remains in the drum's cracks or even evaporates from oil, the lower explosive limit can easily be reached or even exceeded, leading to an explosion when exposed to welding flames or arcs. Furthermore, if the lids of the removable holes are not opened, the explosion is even more powerful.

Main preventive measures:

(1) It is strictly forbidden to weld or cut fuel containers and pipelines that have not been safely handled.

(2) It is strictly forbidden to weld or cut sealed containers without holes.

(3) Welding or cutting fuel containers must comply with relevant safety organization measures.