OSHA #511 Occupational Safety and Health Standards for General Industry course

What determines the categories of flammable liquids?

1. Color and volume

2. Flash point and boiling point

3. Storage temperature and location

4. Container size and label type

The correct answer is: Flash point and boiling point

The categories of flammable liquids are primarily determined by their flash point and boiling point. The flash point is the lowest temperature at which a liquid can form an ignitable mixture with air, while the boiling point is the temperature at which a liquid turns into vapor. These characteristics are crucial because they help assess the potential hazards associated with handling, storing, and using these liquids. Understanding flash points is essential for establishing safe handling practices and for determining the appropriate categories for different types of flammable liquids as classified under OSHA standards. For example, liquids with higher flash points are generally considered less hazardous than those with lower flash points. The boiling point, in conjunction with the flash point, allows for a comprehensive assessment of the risks involved in the use of flammable materials. In contrast, other factors such as color, volume, storage temperature, location, container size, and label type may provide useful information for safety management but do not play a role in the actual classification of liquids into flammable categories.