28 Feb Compressed Gases

Compressed Gases

Compressed gas cylinders are commonly used for welding, cutting, heating, maintenance, and other operations. Although cylinders are designed to safely contain gases under high pressure, improper storage, handling, or use can result in fire, explosion, chemical exposure, or a cylinder becoming a dangerous projectile.

Treat every compressed gas cylinder as a pressurized hazardous-energy source.

Safe Storage

Follow these basic requirements when storing compressed gas cylinders:

• Store cylinders upright and secure them with chains, straps, racks, or other approved restraints.
• Keep valve-protection caps in place whenever cylinders are not connected for use.
• Store cylinders in dry, well-ventilated areas where they are protected from physical damage.
• Protect cylinders from excessive heat, flames, sparks, and other ignition sources.
• Do not store cylinders where they could be struck by vehicles, equipment, or falling objects.
• Keep cylinders away from electrical circuits.
• Separate incompatible gases according to applicable requirements.
• Clearly identify and separate full and empty cylinders to prevent confusion.
• Keep storage areas clean and free of combustible materials.

Oxygen and Fuel-Gas Storage

Oxygen cylinders in storage must be separated from fuel-gas cylinders and combustible materials by the distance or approved barrier required by applicable regulations.

Never assume that all gases can be stored together simply because the cylinders are properly secured.

Handling and Transport

Compressed gas cylinders are heavy and can be difficult to control.

• Never drag, slide, drop, or intentionally roll cylinders on their sides.
• Use a suitable cylinder cart or hand truck.
• Secure cylinders to the cart before moving them.
• Close the valve and install the valve-protection cap before transporting cylinders.
• Do not lift cylinders by their valves, regulators, or protective caps.
• Never use cylinders as rollers, supports, sawhorses, or for any purpose other than their intended use.
• Protect cylinders from striking one another during transport.

Using Compressed Gases

Before using a cylinder:

• Verify the cylinder label and contents.
• Inspect the cylinder, valve, regulator, hose, and connections for damage.
• Make sure the cylinder is properly secured.
• Use only regulators and fittings designed for the specific gas and pressure involved.
• Keep the cylinder valve accessible.
• Stand to the side of the regulator when opening the cylinder valve.
• Open valves slowly and carefully.
• Never force a valve or connection.
• Close the cylinder valve when work is completed.

Never attempt to repair, modify, or tamper with cylinder valves, regulators, pressure-relief devices, or other safety devices. Defective equipment must be removed from service and handled by authorized personnel or the supplier.

Oxygen, Oil, and Grease

Never allow oil or grease to contact oxygen cylinders, valves, regulators, fittings, or other oxygen-system components. Oil and grease can react violently with oxygen and create a serious fire or explosion hazard.

Keep hands, gloves, tools, and equipment used with oxygen clean and free from petroleum products.

Never Transfer Gas Improperly

Do not attempt to transfer compressed gas from one cylinder to another or refill cylinders unless specifically trained, authorized, and equipped to perform the operation.

Cylinder filling and servicing should be performed only by qualified and authorized personnel or the cylinder supplier.

Fire and Emergency Precautions

Know the hazards associated with each gas before use. Review the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and understand the appropriate emergency procedures.

• Keep ignition sources away from flammable gases.
• Maintain required fire-protection equipment where applicable.
• Know the location of emergency equipment.
• Report damaged or leaking cylinders immediately.
• Keep unauthorized personnel away from a suspected leak.
• Evacuate when a release creates a fire, toxic exposure, oxygen-deficiency, or other immediate danger.

Do not attempt to stop a leak if doing so would place you in danger.

Remember

Compressed gas cylinders are safe only when they are properly identified, secured, stored, transported, and used. Protect the valve, use the correct equipment, separate incompatible gases, and never modify cylinder safety devices.

Respect the pressure inside every cylinder—one damaged valve can turn a cylinder into a life-threatening hazard.