General Precautions for Handling Compressed Gases

Introduction

Compressed gas cylinders can be extremely hazardous when misused or abused. Compressed gas cylinders can present a variety of hazards due to their pressure and/or content.
Depending on the particular gas, there is a potential for simultaneous exposure to both mechanical and chemical hazards. Gases used maybe:

Flammable or combustible
Corrosive
Explosive
Poisonous
Inert
Acidic
Reactive
or a combination of hazards

Without proper use and care compressed gas cylinders can explode killing workers and destroying equipment. Cylinders can also become flying projectiles when cylinder valves are damaged or broken off. Regulators can become bullets that tear through workers if safety precautions are not taken.

Careful procedures are necessary for handling the various compressed gases, cylinders, regulators or valves used to control gas flow, and the piping used to confine gases during flow. This booklet can be used as a guideline for the safe use of compressed gas.

Compressed Gas Safety Guidelines

A. Identification “ALWAYS READ THE LABEL”

The contents of any compressed gas cylinder must be clearly identified. Gas identification should be stenciled or stamped on the cylinder or a label. Commercially available three-part tag systems may be used for identification and inventory.
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 the cylinder should be marked “contents unknown” and returned to the supplier.
Do not rely on the color of the cylinder for identification. Color-coding is not reliable because cylinder colors may vary with supplier. Also, never rely on labels on caps because they are interchangeable.
All gas lines leading from a compressed gas supply should be clearly labeled to identify the gas and the area served. The labels should be coded to distinguish hazardous gases such as flammable, toxic, or corrosive substances. Signs should be posted in areas where flammable compressed gases are stored or used, identifying the substance and appropriate precautions.

B. Handling and Use

1. Before cylinders are first used the following precautions should be taken:

Make sure the cylinder is equipped with the correct regulator.
Inspect the regulator and cylinder valves for grease, oil, dirt, and solvent. Never use grease or oil to lubricate regulators or cylinder valves because they can cause an explosion.
The cylinder should be placed so that the valve handle at the top is easily accessible.
When using toxic or irritating gas, the valve should only be opened while the cylinder is in a working fume hood.
Only use wrenches or tools that are provided by the cylinder supplier to open or close a valve. Pliers should never be used to open a cylinder valve. Some regulators require washers; this should be checked before the regulator is fitted.
Refer to Safety Data Sheet [SDS] for the gas being used for information regarding use and toxicity.
Fire extinguishing equipment should be readily available when combustible materials can be exposed to welding or cutting operations using compressed cylinder gases.

2. Cylinder Storage

Gas cylinders must be secured at all times to prevent tipping.
Use appropriate material, such as chain, plastic coated wire cable, commercial straps, etc., to secure cylinders.
Gas cylinders can not be stored in public hallways or other unprotected areas
Cylinders must be segregated in hazard classes while in storage. Oxidizers (oxygen) must be separated from flammable gases, and empty cylinders must be isolated from filled cylinders.
The proper storage for oxygen cylinders requires that a minimum of 20 feet is maintained between flammable gas cylinders and oxygen cylinders or the storage area be separated, at a minimum, by a firewall five (5) feet high with a fire rating of 30 minutes.
Store out of direct sunlight and away from sources of heat and ignition; temperatures must not exceed 125 F.
Acetylene cylinders must never be stored on their sides.
Always place valve protectors on gas cylinders when the cylinders are not connected for use.
Cylinders must be protected from damage. Do not store cylinders near elevators or gangways, or in locations where heavy-moving objects may strike or fall on them.
Cylinders must be stored where they are protected from the ground to prevent rusting. Cylinders should be protected against tampering by unauthorized individuals.
Storage areas must be well-ventilated, cool, dry, and free from corrosive materials.

3. Moving Cylinders

Never drag, slide or roll a cylinder; use a cylinder cart or basket
Always have the protective cap covering the valve when transporting the cylinder
Never transport the cylinder with the regulator in place
Make sure the cylinder is secured to the cart before moving it
Do not drop cylinders or strike them against each other or against other surfaces violently
Do not use the valve cover to lift cylinders; they could be damaged and become unattached. If the cylinder is dropped on a hard surface it can cause an explosion.

4. Use and Operation

Only properly trained personal should handle compressed gas cylinders
Back off the pressure adjusting screw of the regulator to release spring force before opening the cylinder valve
Open the valve slowly and only with the proper regulator in place. Stand with the cylinder between yourself and the regulator (cylinder valve outlet facing away) when opening the cylinder valve.
Acetylene or other flammable gas cylinder valves should not be opened more than 1⁄2 turns of the spindle, and preferably no more than 3⁄4 of a turn. This reduces the risk of explosion and allows for the cylinder valve to be closed quickly cutting off the gas flow
Never heat a cylinder to raise the pressure of the gas (this can defeat the safety mechanisms built in by the supplier)
Keep the cylinder clear of all-electrical circuits, flame, and sparks
Never leave the valve open when equipment is not in use, even when empty; air and moisture may diffuse through an open valve, causing contamination and corrosion within the cylinder
Do not refill a cylinder; mixing of residual gases in a confined area may cause a dangerous reaction.

IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER

Never use copper fittings or tubing on acetylene tanks – an explosion may result.
Never use compressed gas to dust off clothing, this could cause injury to the eyes or body and create a fire hazard. Clothing can become saturated and burst into flames if touched off by an ignition source such as a spark or cigarette.
Never leave pressure in a regulator when it is not in use.
Valve protection caps should remain in place until ready to withdraw gas, or connect to a manifold.
Cylinder discharge lines should be equipped with approved check valves to prevent inadvertent contamination of cylinders connected to a closed system.
Do not force connections that do not fit.
Close the cylinder valve and release all pressure before removing the regulator from the cylinder.
Do not smoke when oxygen or fuel gases are present. Smoking can cause a fire or explosion.
Do not use acetylene at operating pressures above 15 psig.
Purge fuel and oxygen hoses individually before lighting up a torch tip.
Follow the equipment manufacturer’s operating instructions at all times.
If an outlet valve becomes clogged with ice, thaw it with warm water (if the gas is not water reactive), applied only to the valve.
Use the cylinder valve for turning gas off, not the regulator.
Workers should wear safety glasses and face shields when handling and using compressed gases, especially when connecting and disconnecting regulators and lines.
OXYGEN IS NOT COMPRESSED AIR, IT IS OXYGEN
Never use oxygen as a substitute as a “compressed air” to run pneumatic tools, in oil heating burners, to start internal combustion engines, to blow out pipelines, or to create pressure for ventilation.
Oxygen cylinder valves should be opened all of the way during use.

5. Cylinder Leaks

If the cylinder contains a flammable, inert, or oxidizing gas, remove it to an isolated area, away from possible ignition sources. Allow it to remain isolated until the gas has discharged, making certain that appropriate warnings have been posted.
If the gas is a corrosive, remove cylinder to an isolated, well-ventilated area. The stream of leaking gas should be directed into an appropriate neutralizing material.
For toxic material, the cylinder should be removed to an isolated, well-ventilated area, but only if this is possible while maintaining personal safety. It may be necessary to evacuate the facility.
If the leak is at the junction of the cylinder valve and cylinder, do not try to repair it. Contact the supplier and ask for response instructions.
Never use a flame to detect a gas leak. Use soapy water.

6. After the cylinder is no longer needed, the following steps should be taken

Do not completely empty the cylinder; always leave some residual pressure
If the cylinder is empty, replace the cap and remove it to the empty cylinder storage area
Label all empty cylinders so that everyone will know their status. Empty cylinders can be marked with “MT and date” with chalk/marker
Handle empty cylinders as carefully as full ones; residual pressure can be dangerous
Never refill a cylinder. This requires specialized equipment and technique
Never mix gases in a cylinder. The next person who draws from it may unknowingly cause an explosion.

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