GUIDE
170
Metals (Powders, Dusts, Shavings, Borings, Turnings, or Cuttings, etc.)
POTENTIAL HAZARDS
FIRE OR EXPLOSION
  • May react violently or explosively on contact with water.
  • Some are transported in flammable liquids.
  • May be ignited by friction, heat, sparks or flames.
  • Some of these materials will burn with intense heat.
  • Dusts or fumes may form explosive mixtures in air.
  • Containers may explode when heated.
  • May re-ignite after fire is extinguished.
HEALTH
  • Oxides from metallic fires are a severe health hazard.
  • Inhalation or contact with substance or decomposition products may cause severe injury or death.
  • Fire may produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases.
  • Runoff from fire control may cause environmental contamination.
PUBLIC SAFETY
  • CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If Shipping Paper not available or no answer, refer to appropriate telephone number listed on the inside back cover.
  • Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.
  • Keep unauthorized personnel away.
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
  • Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).
  • Structural firefighters' protective clothing provides thermal protection but only limited chemical protection.
EVACUATION
Immediate precautionary measure.
  • Isolate spill or leak area immediately for at least 50 meters (150 feet) in all directions.
Large Spill
  • Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 50 meters (160 feet).
Fire
  • If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions.

In Canada, an Emergency Response Assistance Plan (ERAP) may be required for this product. Please consult the shipping document and/or the ERAP Program Section.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
FIRE
  • DO NOT USE WATER, FOAM OR CO2.
  • Dousing metallic fires with water will generate hydrogen gas, an extremely dangerous explosion hazard, particularly if fire is in a confined environment (i.e., building, cargo hold, etc.).
  • Use DRY sand, graphite powder, dry sodium chloride based extinguishers, G-1® or Met-L-X® powder.
  • Confining and smothering metal fires is preferable rather than applying water.
  • If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire.
Fire involving Tanks or Car/Trailer Loads
  • If impossible to extinguish, protect surroundings and allow fire to burn itself out.
SPILL OR LEAK
  • ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) in immediate area.
  • Do not touch or walk through spilled material.
  • Stop leak if you can do it without risk.
  • Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas.
FIRST AID
Refer to the "General First Aid" Section

ERG 2024