Compressed gases

Scope

OSHA’s requirements for compressed gases apply to any employer whose facility has regulated compressed gases.

Regulatory citations

• 29 CFR 1910.101 — Compressed gases

Key definitions

• Compressed gas: A gas which when under pressure is entirely gaseous at -50°C (-58°F), including all gases with a critical temperature ≤ 50°C (-58°F).
• Flammable gas: A gas having a flammable range with air at 20°C (68°F) and a standard pressure of 101.3 kPa (14.7 psi).
• Gases under pressure: Gases which are contained in a receptacle at a pressure of 200 kPa (29 psi) (gauge) or more, or which are liquefied or liquefied and refrigerated. They comprise compressed gases, liquefied gases, dissolved gases and refrigerated liquefied gases.
• Inert gas: A gas which does not undergo a chemical reaction in a given situation. Argon and nitrogen are two common examples. Inert gases can still create a hazard by displacing oxygen in confined spaces.
• Oxidizing gas: Any gas which may, generally by providing oxygen, cause or contribute to the combustion of other material more than air does.

Summary of requirements

Employers must:

• Determine if the workplace uses compressed gases.
• Become familiar with safe handling, use, and storage practices. (Pamphlets from the Compressed Gas Association are the primary guidance for compressed gas safety.)
• Ensure all cylinders are inspected before use. OSHA requires that employers inspect cylinders to determine if they are in a safe condition to the extent that it can be determined by visual inspection.
• Ensure only trained, authorized workers use compressed gases.
• Ensure only trained, authorized personnel conduct maintenance on a cylinder.
• Ensure labels and markings are present and not defaced. Do not accept, or use, containers whose content labels are not legible. Segregate these containers and return them to the supplier.
• Ensure workers use safe handling, use, and storage practices.
• Train workers to report leaks immediately and follow proper safe procedures.
• Designate storage areas for various gases, with adequate spacing or segregation by partitioning so that containers can be grouped by hazard.
• Prevent temperatures in the storage area from exceeding 125 degrees F.
• Separate cylinder storage from combustibles as specified by federal, state, and local regulations.
• Protect containers from cuts, punctures, or other abrasions of the metal, and keep heavy objects from striking or falling on them.
• Not store containers near walkways, elevators, stairs, unprotected platform edges.
• Prevent unauthorized persons from tampering with the cylinders.
• Only move compressed gas cylinders with a protective cap in place, unless the cylinder is mounted on a special truck and the cylinder is moved in an erect or nearly erect position.