Compressed Gas Safety
Compressed gases and
cylinders must be properly stored, transported and used to
prevent injury and accidents. Industrial gas cylinders are
color coded to provide identification "at a
glance". Regulators, cylinders and cylinder valves
must be inspected regularly to ensure safe operation. Gases
that may react with each other must be stored separately.
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Compressed
gas cylinders present numerous hazards and can contain gases
that are:
- Flammable
or combustible
- Explosive
- Corrosive
- Poisonous
Cylinder Safety
Precautions
Gas cylinders
must be clearly identified. Never rely on the color of the cylinder
for identification.
- Never
attempt to repair a cylinder or valve
- Firmly
attach cylinders to a bench top, wall, or holding cage.
Use chains or sturdy straps
-
Shut the
cylinder valve when gas is not in use
-
Open cylinder
valves slowly. Never fully open cylinder cylinder valves.
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Don't store
acetylene cylinders on their side
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Maintain 20
feet between flammable gas cylinders and oxygen cylinders
-
Never bleed a
cylinder below 25 psi.
- Close all
valves and replace caps before moving
- Store
empty and full cylinders in separate areas
- Use safety
glasses or face shield when handling or connecting gas
cylinders
- Never roll
or drag cylinders
- Use
wheeled carts to move larger cylinders
- Move only
one cylinder at a time
Understanding the hazards
While
each type of compressed gas has its own hazards, most are
flammable, explosive, toxic, or a combination of these
types. Some common kinds of compressed gas include
acetylene, ammonia, carbon dioxide, chlorine, fluorine,
hydrogen and oxygen. Remind your employees to read the label
on the cylinder and the material safety data sheet (MSDS)
for safety information.
Safe steps
Here
are recommended safe practices when handling most compressed
gas cylinders:
How to store them:
o Cylinders
should be stored in a dry, well-ventilated area at least 20
feet from combustible materials. Don't keep the cylinders in
lockers or cupboards.
o Oxygen
cylinders must be separated by 20 feet from fuel-gas
cylinders, such as acetylene. or by a non-combustible
barrier at least 5 feet high with a fire-resistance rating
of at least one-half hour.
o They should
be stored upright and secured with a chain or cable.
o Valves and
caps should be completely closed.
o Room
temperature should remain constant.
How to transport them:
o Secure the
cylinders upright.
o Don't drag
them—use a hand truck.
o Handle
carefully—avoid dropping or banging them.
How to use them:
o Open valves
by hand, rather than with a tool (unless a specific tool is
recommended by the supplier).
o Release the
valves slowly.
o If a
special wrench is required to open the valve, leave it in
position while in use so that the flow of gas can be stopped
quickly in an emergency.
o Don't
tamper with safety devices.
o Keep
cylinders upright and away from heat, sparks, fire, or
electrical circuits.
o Avoid
getting any oil or grease on the cylinders, particularly
those containing oxygen.
How to maintain them:
o All
cylinders should be properly marked to identify the
contents.
o Make sure
valve protection caps are in place.
o If
cylinders are leaking, take them outdoors away from sparks
or heat and slowly empty them.
o Make sure
to mark all empty cylinders (some companies use
"MT").
o Put a
warning tag on cylinders that were leaking and notify the
supplier.
Other precautions:
o Never mix
gases in a cylinder or try to refill a cylinder (contact the
supplier).
o If a
cylinder leaks or a valve is broken, tag the cylinder and
contact a trained maintenance person or the supplier.
o NEVER smoke
around a compressed gas cylinder.
o Don't use
the recessed top of the cylinder as a storage area for tools
or material.
Training
Tips
When
conducting your training session, have a compressed gas
cylinder available and demonstrate proper handling and
operating procedures. Show what a damaged or leaking
cylinder looks like and explain how to report these
conditions. Review relevant MSDS's and discuss health
hazards and safety precautions. Ask about any problems with
transporting or storing cylinders at your facility.
In
particular, warn your employees not to become complacent
around compressed gas cylinders. If your workers are at all
skeptical about the need to use caution, remind them of the
story of the runaway cylinder that wreaked havoc.
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