
SEBU8213-04 19
Safety Section
Fire Prevention and Explosion Prevention
To minim i z e t h e
risk of fire or explosion, Caterpillar
recommends the following actions.
Always perfor
m a Walk-Around Inspection, which
may help you identify a fire hazard. Do not operate
a machine when a fire hazard exists. Contact your
Caterpillar
dealer for service.
Understand the use of the primary exit and alternative
exit on the m
achine. Refer to Operation and
Maintenance Manual, “Alternative Exit”.
Do not opera
te a machine with a fluid leak. Repair
leaks and clean up fluids before resuming machine
operation. Fluids that are leaking or spilled onto hot
surfaces o
r onto electrical components can cause a
fire. A fire may cause personal injury or death.
Remove flam
mable material such as leaves, twigs,
papers, trash, etc. These items may accumulate in
the engine compartment or around other hot areas
and hot pa
rts on the machine.
Keep the access doors to major machine
compartm
ents closed and access doors in working
conditioninordertopermittheuseoffire suppression
equipment, in case a fire should occur.
Clean all accumulations of flammable materials such
as fuel, oil and debris from the machine.
Do not operate the machine near any flame.
Keep sh
ields in place. Exhaust shields (if equipped)
protect hot exhaust components from oil spray or fuel
spray in case of a break in a line, in a hose, or in a
seal.
Exhaust shields must be installed correctly.
Do not weld or flame cut on tanks or lines that contain
flamma
ble fluids or flammable material. Empty and
purge the lines and tanks. Then clean the lines and
tanks with a nonflammable solvent prior to welding
or fla
me cutting. Ensure that the components are
properly grounded in order to avoid unwanted arcs.
Dust
that is generated from repairing nonmetallic
hoods or fenders may be flammable and/or explosive.
Repair such components in a well ventilated area
awa
yfromopenflames or sparks. Use suitable
Personal Protection Equipment (PPE).
Ins
pect all lines and hoses for wear or deterioration.
Replace damaged lines and hoses. The lines and
the hoses should have adequate support and secure
cl
amps. Tighten all connections to the recommended
torque. Damage to the protective cover or insulation
may provide fuel for fires.
Store fuels and
lubricants in properly marked
containers away from unauthorized personnel. Store
oily rags and flammable materials in protective
containers. D
onotsmokeinareasthatareusedfor
storing
flammable materials.
g00704059
Illustration 21
Usecautionwhenyouarefuelingamachine.Donot
smoke while you are fueling a machine. Do not fuel
a machine near open flames or sparks. Always stop
the engine before fueling. Fill the fuel tank outdoors.
Properly clean areas of spillage.
Follow practices for safe fueling that are described
in the “Operation” section of the Operation and
Maintenance Manual section and follow local
regulations. Never store flammable fluids in the
operator compartment of the machine.