tulane university - office of environmental health & safety (oehs) compressed gas cylinders for...

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

COMPRESSED GAS CYLINDERS

FOR EMPLOYEES WHO HANDLE, TRANSPORT, STORE OR USE

COMPRESSED GAS CYLINDERS


OBJECTIVES• To review precautions to take when handling,

moving, using, and storing gas cylinders• To review cryogenic gases, their hazards, and

their proper use• To review Tulane’s policies regarding purchasing

and disposing of gas cylinders


IDENTIFYING GAS CYLINDERS

• Read the label - make sure that the contents of the cylinder are clearly identified.

• Look for decals, stencils, tags, or other markings on the cylinder for identification.

• Do not use the color code of the cylinder for identification.


IDENTIFYING GAS CYLINDERS

• Do not accept or use a cylinder in which its contents cannot be identified.

• If you have a cylinder with no identification, contact the supplier or OEHS– To be returned to the supplier or disposed of

as hazardous waste.


TRANSPORTING GAS CYLINDERS

• Do not handle cylinders roughly or with abuse– This may weaken the cylinder and make

it unfit for use.– The valve can be damaged thereby

causing the cylinder to be a missile which can penetrate a brick wall.

– The cylinder can fall, damage equipment or supplies, and cause personal injury.


• Keep the cover cap in place secured hand tight until ready for use.

• Do not roll or drag a cylinder.• Manually move or handle only one cylinder at

a time.



• Use a properly designed wheeled cart to move cylinders.

• When moving a cylinder in a cart, use a chain, strap, or bracket to keep them in place.




• Do not drop a cylinder or allow them to strike against one another.

• Keep them in the upright position.• Acetylene cylinders must not be

stored on their side.

USING GAS CYLINDERS• Keep secure at all times using one of the

following methods:– Attach to a bench top using the proper device– Secure to the wall by means of a chain– Use a non-tip base designed for cylinder use – Keep the cylinder in its transport cart.


USING GAS CYLINDERS

• Secure by chain or strap at the upper one-third of the cylinder.

• Do not secure it by a rope or other unapproved means.


USING GAS CYLINDERS

• Is this the proper way to store a compressed gas cylinder?


USING GAS CYLINDERS

• No. Compressed gas cylinders must be properly secured at all times.


USING GAS CYLINDERS

• Before using the gas, read the label and Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) on the gas.

• Clean the threads of the regulator and hose connections before attaching them to the cylinder. Dirt can clog the regulator.


USING GAS CYLINDERS

• Regulators are gas-specific and not necessarily interchangeable.

• Use the proper regulator for the gas cylinder – if the connections do not fit, the wrong regulator is being used. Do not force.


USING GAS CYLINDERS

• Never tamper with or attempt to repair or alter cylinders or its components. Return to the supplier for repairs.

• Do not remove a stuck cylinder cap by using a wrench or screw driver in the cap ports.

• Position cylinders away from contact with an energized electrical system.



USING GAS CYLINDERS

• If a leaking cylinder is noted, move it to a safe place – if possible – and contact OEHS.

• Place cylinders so the valve is accessible at all times.

• Close the cylinder valve when it is not in use.

• Use only a wrench or tool provided by the cylinder supplier for use on the cylinder and its components.


USING GAS CYLINDERS

• When opening a cylinder valve, position the valve so that it is pointing away from you.

• Cylinders containing flammable gases such as hydrogen or acetylene must not be stored near open flames, sources of ignition, or where electrical sparks may be generated.

USING GAS CYLINDERS

• Inspect the cylinder for damaged threads, dirt, oil, or grease.

• Do not use cylinders or regulators which do not operate properly.



USING OXYGEN CYLINDERS

• Do not use oxygen fittings, valves, or regulators on other types of gases.

• Use the proper components• Keep oxidizing gases away from

flammable solvents, combustible materials, unprotected electrical connections, heat sources or ignition.

USING OXYGEN CYLINDERS

• Do not allow oil or grease to come in contact with oxygen cylinders, its regulators or tubing.

• Remove oil, grease and keep clean.


USING CRYOGENICS

• These are liquefied gases that are kept in their liquid state at very low temperatures and have boiling points below - 240°F .

– Hydrogen, argon, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, oxygen, helium, etc.


USING CRYOGENICS

• Hazards – Fire or explosion - Hydrogen

– Pressure buildup (either slowly or due to rapid conversion of the liquid to the gaseous state)

– Asphyxiation

– Extremely cold • Embrittlement of structural materials

• Frostbite

– Organic materials can react violently with liquid oxygen.



USING CRYOGENICS

• Be sure to wear a face shield and appropriate gloves when handling cryogenic liquids

• Use with adequate ventilation.


STORING GAS CYLINDERS

• Mark storage areas• A “NO SMOKING” sign should be

placed on doors where oxygen or flammable gases are used or stored.

• Never mix gases or transfer from one cylinder to another.



• Keep gas cylinders secured• Group cylinders (empty or full) by

type of gas– Flammable, oxidizer, toxic, etc.

• Store empty from full cylinders• Keep in well-ventilated area from

sparks, flames or sources of heat or ignition



• Do not store in hallways, corridors, stairwells, or elevator lobbies

• Separate cylinders with oxygen or oxidizing gases (full or empty) from flammable gases – Minimum distance of 20 feet or– 5 foot high, barrier with a fire-resistance

rating of at least 30 minutes.


PURCHASING/RETURNING GAS CYLINDERS

• Return empty cylinders promptly to avoid payment of monthly cylinder rental charges.

• To avoid costly disposal costs, purchase specialty gases in refillable cylinders that are returnable to the supplier.

• Avoid non-returnable lecture sized gas cylinders.


SUMMARY

• Gas cylinders must be labeled, tightly secured, and capped.

• Gas cylinders must be transported properly using a cylinder cart.

• Use appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and ventilation with cryogenics.

• Purchase gases in refillable cylinders to avoid costly disposal costs.


SUMMARY

• For more information on Gas Cylinders, see the OEHS Policies and Procedures Manual which can be found on the OEHS website, www.tulane.edu/oehs

http://www.som.tulane.edu/oehs

Questions


Tulane UniversityOffice of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

Pam Fatland, Manager – Safety Section – [email protected] – 988-2800Louis Mayer, Fire Safety Officer – [email protected] – 988-2447

www.tulane.edu/oehs

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.som.tulane.edu/oehs

tulane university - office of environmental health & safety (oehs) compressed gas cylinders for...

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