WHISKY AND OTHER DISTILLERIES AND THEIR … · DISASTER BUT NO FIRE ... Chivas Brothers’ Dumbarton, Scotland, bottling plant. In February 2013, workers accidentally opened the

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WHISKY AND OTHER DISTILLERIES AND THEIR HAZARDOUS MATERIALS.

W.V.PETER HUNTDirector & Principal ConsultantWHAMCORP Pty Ltd


RECENT NEWSPAPER COVERAGE OF DISTILLERIES EXTENDS TO CARTOONS


YESTERDAY, TODAY & TOMORROW

20th century:• Only a few small distilleries in Australia• Mostly in Tasmania21st Century – so far:• Now around 100 small distilleries ( + 50 bigger)• “one of the fastest growing and most diverse in the world”The future:• More small distilleries (> 5 per year?)


HOW TO SET UP A DISTILLERY

Conduct research – Dr Google?Cost?• You can buy a still up to 5L capacity, seller has no obligations to ATO.• Over 5 L capacity, seller needs ATO permission• A complete distillation kit for <$700 and a fermenter kit for <$200What else?One seller’s website indicates any distiller needs an “excise manufacturer licence” and has link to ATO site where you “can find further information about the law surrounding distilling spirits”


BUY THE BOOK

AND MANY, MANY MORE TO CHOOSE FROM


ATO GUIDANCE NOTES

Most notes are about ATO licences and payment of excise, but one says:“However clients should be aware that other legislation exists that is not administered by the Tax Office and which may affect clients in the alcohol industry, for example: • Food Standards Code • Trade Practices Act • Therapeutic Goods Act • Health Act • Liquor Licensing Acts in each of the States and Territories, and • Trade Measurement Act”


LICENCE TO MANUFACTURE13 PAGE FORM

FORM CONCENTRATES ON FINANCE, PHYSICAL SECURITY AND MATTERS REALTING TO EXCISE


OK –READY TO GO. APPLY FOR LICENCES AND DO SOME FURTHER RESEARCH

Industry association:“Applicable laws are found in the Excise Act, the Customs Act, the Food Standards Codes, and the Australian Consumer Law.”4-hour course:Mentions excise and health regulation, environmental considerationsOne UK website briefly mentions safety:“Don’t forget the fact that most things cost triple what you think they will, as they will have to have safety ratings to deal with the fact that you have alcohol that is stronger than 80% ABV and therefore legal requirements are very different.”


SAFETY? HAZARDS?

SAFETY & HAZARDSSo far, no mention of WHS legislation, hazards of production and storage etc.HAZARDS RELATED TO STRENGTHSTRENGTH

• ABV = Alcohol By Volume = % v/v• Proof (US) = 2 x ABV• Proof (UK) = 1.75 x ABV

Australia – package must show % by volume


STRENGTH NOT ALWAYS OBVIOUS

Wine industry - “SVR” is used for fortifying wine.Explosion at Drayton’s in an unlabelled tank with contents only noted as “SVR” on laboratory whiteboard.

SVR = Spiritus Vinous RectificatusSupplier's SDS indicates “ETHANOL ≥ 95%”

Another product “Spirit Neutral” for food and beverage industriesSupplier’s SDS indicates “ETHANOL ≥ 95%”


ETHANOL WATER FLASHPOINTS

% v/v

FP °CAn aqueous solution containing not more than 24% alcohol by volumeis not subject to ADG Code.

In Australia, spirits must contain ≥ 37% v/v

Alcohol water azeotrope at 95% v/v - no further separation by ordinary distillation


WHISKY MAKING HAZARDS

5 steps:1. Malting (includes peat fire and grinding to “grist”)2. Mashing (warm water added)3. Fermentation4. Distillation5. MaturationSteps 1 & 2 no alcohol, but 1 could have fire and dust explosionStep 3 low alcohol but high CO2 levels (asphyxiation hazard)Step 4 high alcohol liquid and vapour (fire/explosion hazard)Step 5 storing flammable liquid (fire/explosion & enviro hazards)


STEP 3 - FERMENTATION AND CO2

Breweries of old, with open fermenters disgorging carbon dioxide into poorly ventilated spaces, could be hazardous places. Large breweries now usually have enclosed fermentation vessels, but cleaning empty fgermentation vessels is hazardous – 3 men died at Tooheys on Christmas day 1952, 2 men died in separate incidents in Germany in 2013 and 7 died in one incident in Mexico City in 2014. The owner of a small fermenter in a non-ventilated basement died after entering the basement in USA in 2013


OTHER SPIRITS

STEP 1 (MALTING)NOT REQUIRED

STEPS 2 TO 4GENERALLY SIMILAR TO WHISKY MAKING

STEP 5 MATURATION OFTEN NOT REQUIRED, SO GENERALLY NO BARREL STORAGE (EXCEPT FOR SOME RUMS)

FLAVOURS ARE ADDED AS INFUSIONS FOR GIN AND VODKA


SMALL DISTILLERIES - OPEN CONTAINERS, HOSES, MAKESHIFT STRUCTURES


FROM “WEEKEND AUSTRALIAN”25/26 MAR 2017

DESCRIBED AS A “LABORATORY” IN NEWSPAPER ARTICLE

NOTE: DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION –TABLE LAMP ON BARREL

MOST DISTILLERIES ADVERTISE PUBLIC VISITS INCLUDING PRODUCTION AREAS


MATURATION (STORAGE) OF WHISKY

WHISKY IN AUSTRALIA: “MATURED BY STORAGE IN WOOD FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS”

WHISKY MUST BE MATURED IN WOOD –OTHER SPIRITS CAN BE SOLD IMMEDIATELY


ANGEL’S SHARE

AS WELL AS GAINING FLAVOUR, BARREL STORAGE CAUSES EVAPORATION.In cold climates (like Scotland) evaporation is about 2% per yearIn a hot climate (like India, Taiwan) can be 10 to 12% per yearJack Daniel’s multi storey barrel house – 2% low levels, 6% top floor.

Australian conditions vary with location, but figures of around 12% per year are typical.


AS 1940 APPENDIX G - STORAGE AND HANDLING OF POTABLE SPIRITS IN BULK

A “NORMATIVE” APPENDIX = PART OF THE STANDARDAPPLIES TO >24% BUT ≤60% (over 60% main body applicable)HAS CONCESSIONS FOR• Wineries & distilleries - separation distances only• Allows for multi-storey buildings• Use of wooden containers• Emergency venting (containers >15M from boundary)BUT STILL REQUIRES• Hazardous Area Classification• Restrictions on flexible hoses


HAZARDS - FIRE/EXPLOSION + ENVIRONMENTAL FROM LEAKS

DISTILLATION• Spills• Open Equipment• Exhaust Ventilation?• Ignition Sources?MATURATION (STORAGE)• Angel’s share (+ poor ventilation?)• Leaks• Ignition sources?• External fire


LARGE DISTILLERY FIRES

Heaven Hill distillery fire 199690,000 barrels of bourbonwhiskey in 7 warehouseswere consumed


ANOTHER BIG DISTILLERYFIRE AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUESWild Turkey fire and spill17,000 barrels in warehouse.A large portion of the bourbonspilled into the river,poisoning the waters, killedhundreds of thousands of fishalong a 66-mile stretch river.The regional drinking watersystem was also impaired,


PROBLEMS NOT JUST IN USA

Cheapside Whisky Fire 1960Glasgow, Scotland bond store.Over one million gallonsof whisky, and some rum.Explosion and fire, neighbouringbuildings destroyed. When the warehouse explodedand collapsed, 19 firemenwere killed


DISASTER BUT NO FIRE(WOULD YOU CRY OVER SPILLED MILK?)

Chivas Brothers’ Dumbarton, Scotland, bottling plantIn February 2013, workers accidentally opened the valves on an estimated 18,000 litres of aged whisky stock (the volume remains unconfirmed by Chivas Brothers to this day), dumping it into local sewers. The workers thought they were dumping waste water instead!


A SMALL DISTILLERY - USA

Small Kentucky Distillery Destroyed in ExplosionStill, not designed as a pressurevessel, was fitted with a domestichot water service relief valve andruptured, killing one worker andseriously injuring another .Still had been poorly repairedand converted from electric toLPG heating


3 YEAR OLD DISTILLERY ON FARM(THE NETHERLANDS)The property, which includedthe Turv Exloo Distillery,a barn and a farmhouse,went up in flames andburnt to the ground.One man killed


THE FUTURE FOR SMALL AUSTRALIAN DISTILLERIES?

HOW LONG BEFORE SOMETHING GOES WRONG, LEADING TO FIRE, EXPLOSION, INJURY?

HOW CAN THIS BE PREVENTED (OR THE LIKELIHOOD REDUCED)?

WHAT SAFETY GUIDELINES ARE AVAILABLE FOR PEOPLE STARTING TO DISTIL?


ANY QUESTIONS?

Documents

WHISKY AND OTHER DISTILLERIES AND THEIR … · DISASTER BUT NO FIRE ... Chivas Brothers’ Dumbarton, Scotland, bottling plant. In February 2013, workers accidentally opened the