Simulating Chlorine Leak Teaches Safe Handling

Abstract

Handling chlorine gas, the most widely used disinfectant in water treatment, in a safe manner is a top priority for plant operators and maintenance personnel. Chlorine gas is highly toxic, so its proper use and leak containment require major emphasis in safety training programs. In the past, the public utilities department in Chesapeake, Virginia, used its chlorine supplier to provide chlorine safety training. Besides the normal lectures, videos, and exams, the supplier would sometimes bring in a test cylinder to simulate leaks from a chlorine container. Following a recent safety program, a treatment plant employee suggested that we could build a test cylinder that would be available year‐round for various types of training. The idea was to make the equipment simulate a true gas leak situation.