['Hazardous Materials Safety - OSHA']
['Compressed Gases', 'Oxygen', 'Hydrogen']
07/15/2024
...
Compressed gases are a pressurized material or mixture in a cylinder, portable tank, or standing tank used in a variety of applications, including welding, refrigeration, heating, surgery, etc. Hazards associated with compressed gases include oxygen displacement, fires, explosions, and toxic gas exposures, as well as the physical hazards associated with high pressure systems. Special storage, use, and handling precautions are necessary in order to control these hazards.
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.
READ MORESHOW LESS
['Hazardous Materials Safety - OSHA']
['Compressed Gases', 'Oxygen', 'Hydrogen']
Load More
J. J. Keller is the trusted source for DOT / Transportation, OSHA / Workplace Safety, Human Resources, Construction Safety and Hazmat / Hazardous Materials regulation compliance products and services. J. J. Keller helps you increase safety awareness, reduce risk, follow best practices, improve safety training, and stay current with changing regulations.
Copyright 2024 J. J. Keller & Associate, Inc. For re-use options please contact copyright@jjkeller.com or call 800-558-5011.