Pump Safety Tips

When your project requires pumps, safety should never be taken for granted. Even experienced operators need to be reminded about safety procedures which are easily forgotten even though they are “common sense”. Here are useful topics to review with field personnel:

Exercise caution when refueling. When refueling a pump, confirm that the engine is not operating and has cooled. Fuel vapors can ignite, causing serious injury to the operator.

Troubleshooting is hazardous. Even a knowledgeable operator is subject to injury when performing simple pump maintenance. For example, removing debris from around the impeller can easily result in severe injury if proper precautions are not taken. Contact E-Pump for guidance. We will respond quickly to safely troubleshoot any malfunctions on our rental pumps.

Vent exhaust fumes. Vent engine exhaust fumes away from and outside of enclosed areas. Diesel engine-driven pumps produce carbon monoxide. Enclosed-area pumping operations should utilize an air-operated or electric-driven pump.

Proper specs are critical to safety. Hose length and diameters must be spec’d to ensure safe fluid flow through the pumping system. Restricting high flows through undersized hose or pipe increases system pressure and can push fluid velocity beyond safe operating conditions.

There are dangers with running dry. Pumping projects with variable flow requirements should utilize pumps capable of dry operation or automated pump controls. Residual fluid in a standard (non-vacuum assisted) centrifugal pump can vaporize when flow through the pump is variable. When disconnecting a pump from a system, operators should assure the pump casing and hose connections have cooled.

Click on Pump Safety for additional training points.