WorkSafe Mines Safety is currently investigating two notifiable incidents related to aerosol cans that ruptured and ignited inside vehicle cabins. These separate incidents involved a wheel loader and an underground bogger. In both cases, the aerosol cans released their contents uncontrollably which ignited, causing severe burns to the operators.
Aerosol cans are used to contain and dispense pressurised gaseous or liquid products, such as marking spray paint or insect control sprays. The contents usually include flammable propellent gasses or flammable products.
As aerosol cans have thin aluminium walls, they are susceptible to being ruptured by physical damage (e.g. being punctured by moving seats) and sensitive to external heat sources (e.g. sunlight, friction or electrical components), which are commonly found inside vehicle and machinery cabins.
If the contents are exposed to an ignition source, which may potentially include the heat generated by damage to the can itself, there is a significant risk of rapid ignition of the flammable gas. This can expose workers to hazards, such as heat, flames, smoke and chemicals. Additionally, the can or its fragments may become a hazardous projectile if ruptured.
Aerosol cans often display a dangerous goods class label, along with instructions for safe storage, handling and disposal that must be followed. For more information, see Transporting retail dangerous goods.