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Safety and Equity Concerns in Methanol

Safety Considerations

When deciding to use methanol as a fuel source, it is important to address any associated risks to worker safety. According to the Methanol Institute’s “Methanol Safe Handling Manual,” there were 81 methanol-related incidents between 1998 and 2011, mostly fires and explosions, although this is not a comprehensive accounting of such incidents. Of these incidents, about 32% resulted in fatalities. [1]“Methanol Safe Handling Manual – Methanol Institute.” Accessed November 16, 2021. https://www.methanol.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Methanol-Safe-Handling-Manual-Final-English.pdf.  This demonstrates that there are risks associated with working with methanol. Therefore, steps such as worker training and other safety measures are important when implementing methanol as a marine fuel. Methanol has been used in many settings for more than 100 years, and there are numerous steps that ship owners and workers can take to minimize risks from methanol exposure. [2]Etemad, Hamid, and Jae-Hyuk Choi. 2017. “Fire, Explosion and Safety Hazard Identification (HAZID) of the Entire Methanol Dual Fueled System and Ship,” November. … Continue reading In addition, workers have limited contact with methanol. The use of methanol as a marine fuel has closed off handling systems on board ships which make contact with methanol extremely unlikely thus mitigating that risk. [3]“Methanol as a Marine Fuel Report – Methanol Institute.” Accessed November 16, 2021. … Continue reading

Spill Prevention and Cleanups

Spill prevention should be an integral part of worker training. Effective spill prevention programs should involve specific practices and training based on the extent to which an individual is involved in spill prevention and cleanup. [4] “Methanol Safe Handling Manual – Methanol Institute.” Accessed November 16, 2021. https://www.methanol.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Methanol-Safe-Handling-Manual-Final-English.pdf.  Best spill prevention strategies should be incorporated into the design and storage process. Methanol should be stored in a well ventilated area that has a volume greater than that of the methanol storage tank. [5] “Methanol Safe Handling Manual – Methanol Institute.” Accessed November 16, 2021. https://www.methanol.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Methanol-Safe-Handling-Manual-Final-English.pdf.  Current practices dictate that methanol spills should be covered with alcohol-resistant foam or, if the containment area is adequately sized, diluted until it has at least a 4 to 1 ratio of water to methanol to reduce the risk of fire. [6] “Methanol Safe Handling Manual – Methanol Institute.” Accessed November 16, 2021. https://www.methanol.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Methanol-Safe-Handling-Manual-Final-English.pdf. 

Fire Safety

Methanol is what is known as a “low-flashpoint” fuel, meaning that it vaporizes and mixes with air at low temperatures to form an explosive mixture. [7]“Methanol as a Marine Fuel Report – Methanol Institute.” Accessed November 16, 2021. … Continue reading This is a key difference in terms of safety between methanol and traditional marine fuels such as heavy fuel oil, and presents a need for upgraded safety guidelines for methanol. [8]“Methanol as a Marine Fuel Report – Methanol Institute.” Accessed November 16, 2021. … Continue reading Luckily, water can extinguish methanol fires. [9]“Safety.” Methanol Fuels ” Safety. Accessed November 16, 2021. https://methanolfuels.org/about-methanol/safety/.  One concern is that methanol fires are near-invisible in sunlight, which creates the potential for an unnoticed fire. [10] “Methanol as an Alternative Transportation Fuel in the U.S.” Accessed November 16, 2021. https://afdc.energy.gov/files/pdfs/mit_methanol_white_paper.pdf.  This can be resolved through the use of additives from other products in the methanol fuel that make methanol flames more visible [11] “Methanol as an Alternative Transportation Fuel in the U.S.” Accessed November 16, 2021. https://afdc.energy.gov/files/pdfs/mit_methanol_white_paper.pdf. .

Importance of Adequate Worker Training

All workers involved in the production, storage, and use of methanol fuel should be required to go through in person training regarding the risks associated with the jobs and what to do in case of dangerous incidents. Knowledge about how to respond to incidents is crucial along with how to prevent such incidents. Similar to other jobs with training periods, veteran workers should accompany new workers to train them to work with methanol. Workers should have ready access to a safe handling manual that addresses safety concerns and safe practices. 

Equity Considerations

When adopting methanol fuel, it is important to consider the potential adverse impacts on ship workers and how companies and governments can mitigate these effects. As mentioned above, there are numerous safety considerations associated with methanol use. Because of these, worker training is an essential step in implementing the use of methanol fuel. This is especially important for seamen due to the fact that seamen do not have workers’ compensation, or benefits paid to workers when they are injured due to their job, [12]“Workers’ Compensation Definition.” n.d. Accessed November 20, 2021. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/w/workers-compensation.asp. under any law in the US. [13]David Goguen, J.D. “Overview of the Jones Act and Seamen’s Injuries.” www.nolo.com. Nolo, September 10, 2013. … Continue reading The only compensation seamen can receive is through the Jones Act established in 1920. The Jones Act gives seamen who have been injured on the job the right to sue their employer on the basis of negligence. [14]David Goguen, J.D. “Overview of the Jones Act and Seamen’s Injuries.” www.nolo.com. Nolo, September 10, 2013. … Continue reading However, it is not guaranteed that the seaman will be able to win the case and the existence of court fees also may pose a burden on the injured worker. Therefore, it is absolutely crucial for all seaworkers to have sufficient training to prevent such injuries and also have the employer themselves provide safe conditions when handling methanol. 

Worker training may help mitigate the impacts of methanol fuel on seaworkers. However, the US government can also conduct the following policy analysis to determine how to better protect seaworkers: 

  1. Conduct a comprehensive study of the current protections that US and international law affords to sea workers
  2. Conduct a comprehensive study of the risks faced by sea workers, especially related to the use of methanol fuel on ships
  3. Based on current policy and the risks sea workers face, identify gaps in protections and policies that could address these gaps. Compare the protections offered to sea workers with the protections offered to workers in other industries in order to identify areas where sea workers have less protection.

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