Ampco Safety Tools are used throughout the world in many diverse applications and are recommended for use in hazardous environments where flammable or combustible vapor, liquids, dusts or residues are present. Hand tools for hazardous environments are essential safety items for workers in such areas as oil and gas processing, handling and storage; paint, lacquer and varnish manufacturing; confined space maintenance; emergency response search and rescue and many more. OSHA makes it clear that non-sparking tools and other safety hand tools for hazardous environments prevent accidents and tragic consequences.
Hazardous Classified Locations are an identified segment of hazardous environments. Whereas it may be very dangerous to use a steel tool while performance maintenance on MRI equipment (i.e. powerful magnets require the use of non-magnetic hand tools), hazardous classified locations are identified by specific safety language and are areas where fire or explosion hazards are known to exist. These locations (e.g. Class 1, Division 1) need non-sparking tools and other explosion proof equipment.
Certain chemicals such as amatol and similar liquid gases may react with copper alloys to form metalloids which would negate the non-sparking properties of the alloys. Do not use AMPCO or other high copper content tools in direct contact with acetylene due to the possible formation of explosive acetylides, especially in the presence of moisture. Direct contact should be avoided with ethylene oxide and some explosives such DBX and lead azide.
Non-Sparking Applications
Non-Magnetic Applications
Corrosion Resistant Applications