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mini-feature: 71
Modified bitumen flange
Bitumen spillages at aggregates sites can have serious safety and environmental consequences. The
Refined Bitumen Association (RBA) reported that 80 per cent of safety incidents at delivery sites in 2003
were due to spillages – an increase of more than 20 per cent in four years. It is an issue about which the
industry cannot afford to be complacent.
A number of practical measures can be put into place to avoid
an incident, as outlined in the RBA’s Code of Practice, available
from bitumen suppliers. One key recommendation is to use the
new style delivery flange (see diagram and photo). Its vertical
slots entrap the bolts within the flange itself. Countersunk oval
terminations accommodate the convex-shaped contact edge to
the nuts.
It is strongly recommended that it replace the horizontallyslotted
oval shape “elephant’s foot” flange where the hinged
action of the flange bolts on the armoured flexi-hose makes
them susceptible to splaying outwards during tightening,
hence particular care needs to be taken if you are still using this old-style flange.
“Spray spillages” caused by loose or loosened connections are eliminated by fitting the flange
perpendicular to the ground and 0.5 to 1 metre above the ground, in order to minimise the physical effort
needed to effect the connection. Care should taken when fitting, particularly to assess the risk of fire
due to heat input to the pipework during welding operations. This should be complemented by reactive
systems in the event of fire.
Martin Isles, Director
of Health & Safety for
the Quarry Products
Association, keenly
supports the use of the
new flange: “This is a
significant development
that will have major
safety benefits. The QPA
highlighted this new valve
in its Health & Safety Best
Practice Awards Guide
three years ago after an
eight tonne spill at one of
our members’ sites. It is
important that companies
move towards replacing
every flange at every
asphalt plant with the
new design.”
The RBA-recommended
flange costs around £25
each excluding the cost
of fitting. It can readily
be fabricated on site,
alternatively contact your bitumen supplier for advice.
The new-style flanges are shown in practice in the Hanson
entry, Enhancements to delivery of bitumen on page 59.
A “distance splash-guard” accompanies the Foster Yeoman
entry, Tanker gasket failures on page 52.