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Important Tips about cylinder safety

4/4/2019

10 Comments

 
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Here are important tips on keeping employees, as well as equipment, safe in the workplace.
Think safety, leave safely!
 
Potential Compressed Gas Cylinder Hazards
Compressed gas cylinders can be dangerous, and you need to be aware of the potential hazards and how to stay safe when handling, transporting, and using them.
​
The contents within the cylinder can be toxic, flammable, oxidizing, corrosive, or inert; and can cause physical harm, if not handled and stored properly. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), A compressed gas is a gas or mixture within a container. Pressure requirements have an absolute pressure of 40 psi at 70 degrees Fahrenheit or an absolute pressure of exceeding 104 psi at 130 degrees Fahrenheit, or a liquid having a vapor pressure exceeding 40 psi at 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Here are some things to keep in mind when handling cylinders:
The cylinder can become something very similar to a missile. The valve controls the flow of gas; and if broken, you have lost the ability to manage a safe working environment. If this is not corrected, the potential mishap could be detrimental to employees and your business.
​Have you seen that MythBusters episode? (…It’s fact)  
Click here to check out their experiment.

Compressed gas cylinders can cause explosions, fires, or even deplete a working area of oxygen, if you have a faulty valve or not handling the vessel properly. Always contact your supplier whenever you have concerns about your gas cylinder!

Don’t worry, you do have control over this situation at your facility!
​
Always store cylinders upright with a chain or strap to prevent them from falling. Never store cylinders in a cabinet or closed-in area with little ventilation, this promotes a dangerous gas build up if a leak occurs.
If you store cylinders outside, you want to protect them from any extreme heat elements. When storing your cylinders inside, keep Oxygen and Nitrous Oxide at least 20 feet away from flammable gases. If you are tight on space, a high-pressure storage cabinet, with firewall, may be a good option for your company. These types of storage cabinets are engineered to be OSHA and NFPA compliant; and allow you to store oxygen and flammable gases together. Also, use the proper signage over the area where the cylinders are being stored, i.e. Flammable over the acetylene cylinders. Finally, all cylinders that are empty should be tagged and kept separate from ones that are full.

Keep the valves closed when not in use, this is especially important because some gases are inert, such as Helium and Argon (to a welding perspective). If your valve is left open, it will deplete the oxygen within your facility. It can also cause respiratory, eye, and even skin problems without the proper safety gear or plan in place. If you have a leaking valve, you will need to transport the cylinder to a well-ventilated area and call your gas supplier immediately! 

As your gas supplier (or prospective), we have included CGA Cylinder Safety Poster for download on our Resources page, check it out! 

Most accidents occur while a cylinder is being transported or moved.
Proper safety, when transporting cylinders, includes employees being fitted with safety glasses, gloves, and protective footwear. Safety wear should always be a requirement; and be worn whenever handling a cylinder. Use of a cylinder cart, with a chain or strap, instead of rolling or dragging a cylinder to the desired location, is the safest way to relocate a cylinder.  Also, make sure that the person handling the cylinder is physically capable and knowledgeable in cylinder handling. Always remember to close the valve and put the safety cap on when moving the cylinder, even if it is just a small distance away! These tips can help minimize the risks of physical injury, that can be caused by dropping or mishandling a cylinder.
When you need to transport a cylinder by vehicle, you will always want to keep the cylinders upright and strapped in securely during transport. Never ever lay a cylinder on its side, as it can lead to catastrophic damages to your vehicle and major injuries to the driver.

Safety during the use of the cylinders.
Always open the valve by hand if the cylinder is fitted with a hand wheel. If you are unable to open the valve, using a hand wheel, notify your gas supplier to request a replacement. If a tool is needed, leave it in position so the valve can be cut quickly in case of emergency. When releasing the valve, do so slowly. While in use, always keep the cylinder upright and away from sparks, high heat, fire and electrical circuit, as this will help prevent a disaster. Employees must also keep oil and grease away from oxygen cylinders, if the two mix it has the potential of violent reaction.

Even though compressed gas cylinders look sturdy, they are very dangerous! Good safety practices are vital to keeping you and your employees safe. Safety is our goal, why not take advantage of our Free Gas Application Analysis? You can click the "Learn More" button to the right of your screen and one of our gas experts will be there to assist! 
​
Here's a step-by-step tutorial on how to load your compressed gas cylinder onto a hand cart.
                              Special thanks to Matt Myers in Shipping and Receiving for the demonstration!
​

10 Comments
electrical control system link
6/27/2019 06:27:56 am

Well I would like to say thanks to author for sharing such an informative information with us as using cylinder welding there are lots of risks which you need to save it during welding of articles moreover you can cover cylinder by safety particles which will ultimately prevent from casualty.

Reply
car detailing near me link
2/4/2021 05:04:35 pm

Exactly! Thank you!

Reply
GasNtools link
6/29/2020 01:28:57 am

It’s really a great and helpful piece of information. I
am glad that you shared this useful info with us. It helped me stay safe when using gas cylinder.

Reply
Bob link
10/28/2020 08:24:39 pm

I think you are right about making sure that you close the valve and put on the safety cap. I need to get a cylinder pump made of aluminum. I need it to operate at 150 psi.

Reply
Tez link
3/2/2021 05:09:45 pm

You make a great point about keeping the valves closed when not in use. That makes sense considering you don't want to release dangerous gas accidentally. I'll have to make sure that I keep valves closed when I go on break.

Reply
Jackson link
6/23/2021 12:38:52 am

Employee safety is very important in a workplace. You have shared some great tips and I will definitely take care of all the points you have mentioned in this article. I have recently started my eCommerce business and am investing in private warehouses, but I am new in this so would you like to share some safety tips for warehouses as well?

Reply
Connect with Us link
10/28/2021 10:30:16 am

This is a very good article specialy in handling sensitive materials. Thank you very much.

Reply
concretesantaclaritaca.com link
2/4/2022 05:19:56 am

Thanks for sharing this information. Safety is always first.

Reply
Hire us today! link
2/4/2022 07:28:25 am

Thanks for this great blog. It was very informative.

Reply
John Carston link
6/8/2022 10:44:38 pm

I like the tip that you gave that safety glasses are necessary when transporting cylinders. My brother told me a couple of days ago that he was looking for a Miller cp 302 welder for his upcoming welding project, and he asked if I had any idea what would be the best option to consider. Thanks to this instructive article, I'll be sure to tell him that he can consult a trusted welding supplier company as they can provide more information about their services.

Reply

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  • Products & Services
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    • Engineering
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  • Gases
    • Free Gas Application Analysis
    • Industrial & Welding Gases
    • Medical Gases
    • Bulk & Microbulk Gas
    • PurityPlus Specialty Gases
  • Welder Training
    • Program Overview >
      • Fundamentals of Welding
      • Intermediate Welding >
        • Intermediate Stick
        • Intermediate TIG
        • Intermediate MIG >
          • Intermediate GMAW - Aluminum
          • Intermediate FCAW Self Shielded
          • Intermediate GMAW - Stainless Steel
      • Advanced Welding >
        • Advanced Stick
        • Advanced TIG
        • Advanced MIG
      • Welding Basics
      • Custom Classes & Open Practice Time
    • Pricing and Class Schedule
    • How to Register
    • Tour Our Facility
    • Why Earlbeck Technical Center
    • On Site Training
    • Frequently Asked Questions >
      • Are student loans, financial aid, or scholarships available?
      • How long does it take to complete the program?
      • Do you offer job placement?
      • How Much Money does a Welder Make?
      • What is the Job Outlook for Welders?
      • What should I bring for my first day of class?
  • Weld Testing
    • Welder Certification
    • Send In Weld Testing
    • AWS D1.1 Send in Test Kits
    • Frequently Asked Questions >
      • How much does a welding certification cost?
      • How do I become qualified for bridge work?
      • Does a Welding Certification Expire?
      • What is an ATF Test?
      • What Welding Certification Do I Need?
      • Why Should I Become a Certified Welder?
  • Welding 101 Blog
  • Locations & Contacts
    • Baltimore, MD
    • Beltsville, MD
    • York, PA
    • Scranton, PA
    • Southern MD Welding School
    • Scranton PA Welding School
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  • More...
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