Compressed Gas Safety

Compressed Gas

Examples of compressed gasses:
􀂃 Chemicals include oxygen, argon, nitrogen, helium, acetylene, hydrogen, nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide, ammonia, chlorine, etc.
􀂃 Compressed gases used in bulk systems or portable cylinders Industry uses include welding, cutting, operating tools, transferring liquids, blowing agents, laboratories, etc.

Hazards:
􀂃 Explosion
􀂃 Flammability
􀂃 Corrosive
􀂃 Toxicity
􀂃 Reactivity
􀂃 Air displacing (leads to asphyxation)
􀂃 Check MSDS for specific hazards

Labeling:
􀂃 Name of the compressed gas
􀂃 Hazards of the compressed gas
􀂃 National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) labels
􀂃 Department of Transportation (DOT) labelsDo not remove any labels

Handling:
􀂃 Close the valve and put on the cap
􀂃 Do not “walk” cylinder by holding onto valve stem or cap
􀂃 Never roll a cylinder on its side
􀂃 Use a hand truck with a secure system

Storage:
􀂃 Dry, well ventilated, protected from weather
􀂃 Away from combustibles, heat sources, electrical systems
􀂃 No sparks, smoking, open flames
􀂃 Oxygen separated from fuels 20’ or firewall at least 5’with a 1 hour rating.
􀂃 Upright, secured, valve cap on
􀂃 Not in elevators, staircases, hallways, etc
􀂃 Sign requirements

Cylinder Use:
􀂃 Upright and secure
􀂃 Away from flames, sparks, electricity
􀂃 Keep oil, grease, flammables off cylinders
􀂃 Open valve by hand, if tools required don’t use the cylinder
􀂃 Open valve slowly with hand to the side
􀂃 Don’t tamper with safety devices

Regulators and Guages:
􀂃 Regulator and gauge rated for the pressure in the gas system
􀂃 Regulator must be compatible with the gas
􀂃 Do not exchange gauge from one gas to another
􀂃 Thread sealant recommended by manufacturer for application
􀂃 Wear eye protection when operating regulator

General Safety:
􀂃 Never try to repair
􀂃 Tag it, move it outdoors, and keep it away from heat or flame
􀂃 Call manufacturer or dealer
􀂃 Only accept and use DOT approved cylinders
􀂃 Do not drop cylinders
􀂃 Protect cylinders from cuts and abrasions
􀂃 Don’t use cylinders for unintended function such as a roller or support
􀂃 Don’t tamper with safety valves
􀂃 Caps on whenever not in use
􀂃 Do not check the pressure by waving the hands in front of nozzle by releasing valve. Use of pressure gauges for checking pressure.


Other Gases:
􀂃 LPG
􀂃 Compressed
􀂃 Oxygen
􀂃 Acetylene
􀂃 Miscellaneous Gases (argon, nitrogen)

Summary:
􀂃 Cylinders must always be stored and secured properly
􀂃 Use caution when transporting cylinders
􀂃 Understand the hazards of a compressed as before using it
􀂃 Even compressed air can be dangerous