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Compressed gases in cylinders present special hazards that include the possibility of oxygen displacement and toxic effects from the gas itself, as well as fire and explosion risks due to the high pressure. Thus, gas cylinders may only be handled and used by trained workers.
The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) addresses compressed gases in general at 1910.101, which adopts by reference some regulations from the Compressed Gas Association (CGA).
Marking gas cylinders
Cylinders, containers, pipes, etc., must be clearly marked so that the gas can be easily identified. Labels should not be defaced or removed. Containers whose content labels are not legible should be returned unused to the supplier. Containers should not be repainted, and container color should not be used to identify the cylinder content.
All gas lines leading from a compressed gas supply should be clearly labeled or identified. Some states require specific labeling of cylinders, containers, and pipes.
Inspecting gas cylinders
Employers must visually inspect compressed gas cylinders to determine that they are in safe condition under 1910.101.
Visual inspections must be conducted as prescribed in the Hazardous Materials Regulations of the Department of Transportation (49 CFR Parts 171–179 and 14 CFR Part 103) when applicable. Otherwise, they must be conducted in accordance with CGA Pamphlet C-6-1968.
In general, all parts of a cylinder (valves, neck rings, hoses, manifold, regulator, etc.) should be inspected for:
Storing gas cylinders
Proper storage of gas cylinders is crucial for maintaining a safe workplace. According to CGA P-1, storage areas must:
Containers must be:
Moving gas cylinders
Safe handling of gas cylinders includes moving them carefully, both within and between facilities.
Practices to avoid include:
Protective caps and outlet caps or plugs should be replaced before empty cylinders are returned to the supplier.
OSHA states that compressed gas cylinders that are not secured to a “special truck” must have their regulators removed and valve-protection caps installed. A special truck is a vehicle or cart that provides stable support of vertical standing Department of Transportation portable gas cylinders during movement and at various work locations. It must include protection of cylinder valves and regulators. CGA Pamphlet P-1 allows for a “suitable hand truck, forklift truck, or similar material handling device,” as long as cylinders are properly secured to it by a chain or other comparable method.
Using gas cylinders
When using any compressed gas (i.e., cylinders, portable tanks, rail tank cars, or motor vehicle cargo tanks), employers must comply with the provisions outlined in CGA Pamphlet P-1-1965, which is incorporated by reference in the OSHA standard.
When handling compressed gas cylinders, workers should always follow these procedures:
Compressed gases in cylinders present special hazards that include the possibility of oxygen displacement and toxic effects from the gas itself, as well as fire and explosion risks due to the high pressure. Thus, gas cylinders may only be handled and used by trained workers.
The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) addresses compressed gases in general at 1910.101, which adopts by reference some regulations from the Compressed Gas Association (CGA).
Marking gas cylinders
Cylinders, containers, pipes, etc., must be clearly marked so that the gas can be easily identified. Labels should not be defaced or removed. Containers whose content labels are not legible should be returned unused to the supplier. Containers should not be repainted, and container color should not be used to identify the cylinder content.
All gas lines leading from a compressed gas supply should be clearly labeled or identified. Some states require specific labeling of cylinders, containers, and pipes.
Inspecting gas cylinders
Employers must visually inspect compressed gas cylinders to determine that they are in safe condition under 1910.101.
Visual inspections must be conducted as prescribed in the Hazardous Materials Regulations of the Department of Transportation (49 CFR Parts 171–179 and 14 CFR Part 103) when applicable. Otherwise, they must be conducted in accordance with CGA Pamphlet C-6-1968.
In general, all parts of a cylinder (valves, neck rings, hoses, manifold, regulator, etc.) should be inspected for:
Storing gas cylinders
Proper storage of gas cylinders is crucial for maintaining a safe workplace. According to CGA P-1, storage areas must:
Containers must be:
Moving gas cylinders
Safe handling of gas cylinders includes moving them carefully, both within and between facilities.
Practices to avoid include:
Protective caps and outlet caps or plugs should be replaced before empty cylinders are returned to the supplier.
OSHA states that compressed gas cylinders that are not secured to a “special truck” must have their regulators removed and valve-protection caps installed. A special truck is a vehicle or cart that provides stable support of vertical standing Department of Transportation portable gas cylinders during movement and at various work locations. It must include protection of cylinder valves and regulators. CGA Pamphlet P-1 allows for a “suitable hand truck, forklift truck, or similar material handling device,” as long as cylinders are properly secured to it by a chain or other comparable method.
Using gas cylinders
When using any compressed gas (i.e., cylinders, portable tanks, rail tank cars, or motor vehicle cargo tanks), employers must comply with the provisions outlined in CGA Pamphlet P-1-1965, which is incorporated by reference in the OSHA standard.
When handling compressed gas cylinders, workers should always follow these procedures: