Credential Automotive Newsletter

Pages 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 1.3 BILLION AIRBAGS IN VEHICLES IN THE E.U. WITH A HIGHLEY TOXIC COMPOUND CALLED SODIUM AZIDE

ARE YOU FOLLOWING HSE GUIDELINES?

As we are all aware the modern vehicle contains many Hazardous Wastes, but non quite as important in our modern day lives as the airbag. These airbags have saved numerous lives, however they can also cause injury and in some cases death.

With 1.3 billion potential vehicles with multiple airbags the dangers of not dealing with these correctly can have a serious consequences.

As we know not all airbags are activated in a crash and some will have to be replaced. This invariable may result in unexploded airbags being left at the garage.

These must of course never be disposed of unexploded in the general waste bin as each airbag contains a very toxic chemical called Sodium Azide, which is the explosive agent. Normally this is contained and used up during the detonation. There is some suggestion that these type of generators may produce some Sodium Hydroxide as a by product of the explosion

How much Sodium Hydroxide escapes into the bag? This can vary from type and manufacturer.

The ports of the gas generator apparently have a steel mesh which performs 2 functions. The first is to quench the gas as it emerges both to reduce flame levels and to control the effective volume of gas produced. If a more aggressive inflation is required , the mesh pitch may be increased, and possibly the number of mesh layers reduced.

The second is to catch the bits of Sodium hydroxide to stop them getting into the bag. Therefore it is imperative that any airbags which are disposed of have been detonated.

Anyone who has seen an airbag being detonated, even under safe conditions is aware of the immense power of the explosion and the potential for accidents. The consequences of not detonating these devices before disposal is horrifying, with the potential of refuse collectors being injured by an explosion or animals or humans being killed by the toxic chemical within the airbag deployment system.

With the above in mind the HSE has issued guidance on how to deal with these airbags:-

Airbag detonation can generate high levels of noise and may damage hearing.

A detonator control should be used when detonating airbags with the use of a sound insulated refuge/booth from which the operator can detonate the airbag.

If any are classed as UN Hazard Class 1 (Explosives) and you want to keep them on the premises you will need to register for a mode B Registered premises with your local authority

For Airbags which are classified as Un Class 2 or UN Class 9 is recommended that you keep them under similar conditions to those required for Mode B registration.

Non Exploded air bags should be store in a substantial container with no exposed steel, can be locked and is kept away from any potential combustion sources. Ideally the container is secured to the wall or floor.

It is illegal to dispose of explosives as normal waste and domestic/commercial waste bins must not be used for disposing undeployed airbags or seat belt pretensioners in class1.

It should be noted that different propellants/explosives can be used in the deployment of airbags and in order to assess the requirements for disposal the Safety Data Sheet should always be the first point of reference.

For further information please visit :
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg280.htm