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Compressed Gas Safety
Compressed Gas Safety
Cylinder Gases
Introduction
Compressed gases used in a variety of industrial and
laboratory situations
Compressed gases present a unique hazard. Depending on
the particular gas, there is a potential for simultaneous
exposure to both mechanical and chemical hazards
Gases can be:
– Flammable or combustible
– Explosive
– Corrosive
– Poisonous/toxic
– Inert
– Cryogenic
– Pyrophoric(burns on contact with air)
– or a combination of hazards
Introduction
Common Industrial Gases
Oxidants support combustion e.g. air & oxygen
Inerts do not generally react with other materials,
asphyxiants(leak displace air) e.g. nitrogen, argon,
helium
Flammables when mixed with oxidant and ignition
source will burn e.g. acetylene, hydrogen, propane
Toxics toxic in small concentrations e.g. ammonia,
chlorine, carbon dioxide
Corrosives react with materials causing reactions
e.g. chlorine, sulfur dioxide
Pyrophorics ignite spontaneously in air e.g. silane,
phosphine
Main Causes of Accidents
Inadequate training and supervision
Poor installation
Poor maintenance
Faulty equipment and/or design(e.g badly
fitting valves or regulators)
Poor handling
Poor storage
Inadequately ventilated working conditions
Main Hazards
Impact from the blast of a gas cylinder
explosion or rapid relase of compressed gas
Impact from parts of gas cylinders that fail
or any flying debris
Contact with the released gas or fluid(such
as chlorine)
Fire resulting from the escape of flammable
gas or fluids such as LPG
Impact from falling cylinder
Safe Working with Gas Cylinders:
Identification and Properties
Read the label to see what gas you are dealing with and double
check tha the cylinder/gas is right for th eintended use
No compressed gas cylinder should be accepted for use that
does not legibly identify its contents by name
If the labeling on a cylinder becomes unclear or an attached tag
is defaced to the point the contents cannot be identified, the
cylinder should be marked "contents unknown" and returned
directly to the manufacturer
Never rely on the color of the cylinder for identification. Color
coding is not reliable because cylinder colors may vary with the
supplier. Additionally, labels on caps have little value because
caps are interchangeable
If there is a mismatch between the color of a cylinder and the
label. Do not use, contact the supplier immediately
Know the properties of the gas (read Material Safety Data Sheets
available from your Supervisor)
The cylinder’s contents should be identified at all times as well
as the cylinder status (full, empty or in service)
Safe Working with Gas Cylinders
Work Practices
Securely restrain cylinders to prevent them falling over
Close the cylinder valve and replace dust caps when cylinder not in use
Before connecting a gas cylinder to equipment or pipework make sure regulator and
pipework are suitable for the gas and pressure being used
Never drop a gas cylinder
Never tamper with cylinders or subject them to abnormal mechanical shocks which
could damage the valve or safety device
Never re-paint, change markings or identification or interfere with threads
Never disguise damage to a cylinder or valve. Label as faulty and contact the supplier
Never attempt to repair a cylinder
Never scrap a cylinder
Never subject cylinders to abnormally high or low temperatures
Never mix gases in a cylinder
Never try to refill a cylinder unless properly trained to do so
Never transport by rolling them on the ground or use them as rollers or supports
Never pick them up by magnetic lifting
Never subject to abnormal mechanical shocks whuch could damage the valve or safety
device
Safe Working with Gas Cylinders
Daily Inspection
Cylinders should be inspected daily
and prior to each use for corrosion,
leaks, cracks, etc.
Inspection should include the
cylinder, piping, safety relief
devices, valves, protection caps and
stems.
Leaking regulators, cylinder valves
or other equipment should be taken
out of service.
Safe Working with Gas Cylinders