PSI Hazmat Training for Cylinder Safety

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PSI Hazmat Training for Cylinder Safety

• Familiarization with Federal Regulations
• General awareness/familiarization with cylinders
• Proper handling/Preventive procedures
• Safety issues and training
• Reporting observed concerns

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Federal Regulations

• Department of Transportation (DOT) enforce the
  Code of Federal Regulations Title 49 172.00 which
  mandates all persons who handle transport or are
  likely to be affected" by the hazards of high
  pressure cylinders must receive "function
  specific" training to the HAZMAT within 90 days
  of employment and retraining every 3 years
  afterward. 
• DOT regulates the transport and handling of
  high-pressure cylinders

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Federal Regulations

• Title 29 CFR 1910.101(a) Requires employers to
  take ultimate responsibility for the safe
  condition of compressed gas cylinders under his
  control
• The U.S. government regulates matters affecting
  the safety and health of employees (only) in all
  industries, including compressed gas, through the
  Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and
  Health Act (OSHA).

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Federal Regulations

• Valid scuba instructor creditials do not qualify
  the holder for compliance with hazmat training.
• Employees/volunteers (including grad students)
  must receive appropriate hazmat training whenever
  assigned new duties
• The ICC was an older version of the DOT and
  cylinders stamped with ICC may be used if they
  met all other standards
• In every state, all dive store employees and
  anyone handling cylinders on a regular basis must
  comply with rules equal to OSHA 29 CFR 1910.

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Scuba Cylinders

• Made of steel or aluminum
• Range in capacity from a few cubic feet (50 L) to
  120 cubic feet (3428 L)
• Common pressures range from 1,800 psi (124 bar),
  to 2,250 psi (155 bar), to 3,000 psi (207 bar),
  and higher
• Steel cylinders with a sign can be overfilled
  by 10

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Steel vs. Aluminum

• Lighter (Wear more weight)
• Positive when empty
• Flat bottom
• Cheaper
• Resists corrosion
• Susceptible to damage from heat

• Heavier (Wear less weight)
• Neutral when empty
• Round bottom
• More Expensive
• Corrodes quicker

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Cylinder Codes

• Regulating agency - DOT/CTC (ICC old name for
  DOT)
• Metal Alloy molybdenum steel - 3A, 3AA
• Metal Alloy aluminum alloy - 3AL (present day),
  SP6498 (to 1972), E6498 (to 1982), E9791
• Serial number unique to each tank
• Working pressure/capacity (e.g. 2250psi, 3000psi)
• Mfr. Stamp
• Inspector stamp hydro date(s) month, year

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Cylinder Codes (cont.)

• Always look at a list or reject codes before
  using or filling an unfamiliar cylinder examples
  of alloys to recheck are below (not a complete
  list)
• Reject SP6576, SP6688, SP890
• Also reject cylinders with any suspect exterior
  damage and cylinders without pressure release
  devices

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Cylinder Valve Assemblies and Manifolds

• K valve and J valve
• Burst disk, valve dip tube, o-ring, handle
  assembly
• DIN valve
• Slingshot or Y valve
• H manifolds
• Pillar/post valves

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Cylinder Valve Use Care

• Never use excessive force to open or close
• Open slowly
• Open valve fully, then close valve one-quarter
  turn, but no more. This provides a clue to help
  determine if the tank is open and also the
  correct way to turn valve when closing.
• Always carry tank valve opening facing away from
  palm
• Pillar/post valves w/o reserve should NOT be
  carried by the valve

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Cylinder Care and Maintenance

• Handling with care. Best to transport well
  secured vertically. When transporting
  horizontally block in place and orient sideways.
• Always carry valve facing out away from palm.
• Fill slowly (300 600 psi/min)
• Keeping water out. Blow off valves before
  filling.
• Rinse after use
• Storage pressurized (min. of 100 psi) secured
  vertically is best.
• Visual inspection needs to be conducted yearly or
  sooner if tank is drained
• Hydrostatic test every 5 years
• REPORT ANY DAMAGE OR CYLINDER THAT HAS BEEN
  EMPTIED TO D.S.O

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Cylinder Care and Maintenance SAFETY CONCERNS

• Always carry valve opening away from skin. Air
  embolism can occur through contact with skin and
  can occur readily in people other than divers.
• Dropped cylinders may injure feet or toes or
  shear off valve.
• Escaping air may be loud and can cause particles
  to become airborne. Use eye and ear protection.
• Never place a pressurized cylinder in an
  environment gt 130º F (car trunk on a hot day).
• Any cylinder exposed to fire should be removed
  from service
• Cylinders are heavy use proper lifting techniques
  to prevent injury.

130º F is the maximum operating temperature for
a cylinder
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The kinetic energy stored within a full 80 ft3
tank exceeds one million foot pounds, sufficient
energy to disintegrate concrete block walls,
propel fill station operators trough walls,
destroy fire trucks, and jet cylinders great
distances. AT LEAST ONE CYLINDER EXPLODES
ANNUALLY!!
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Disguised damage

• Boots often hide corrosion including self
  draining boots. They should always be removed
  when inspecting a cylinder.
• Stickers or paint may placed over damage
• Auto repair putty used to cover defects
• Vinyl coated cylinders should not be used or
  filled under any circumstances
• REPORT ANY SUSPECT CYLINDERS IMMEDIATELY TO DIVE
  SAFETY OFFICER

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General cylinder handling

• Never move any cylinder by rolling it along the
  ground
• Never leave any tank standing up (including flat
  bottomed AL tanks) if you are more than arm
  lengths away
• Cylinders may only be filled if they are within
  the current hydrostatic and visual inspection
  period
• Any unfamiliar stamp should be checked to see if
  it is a cylinder that should be rejected (e.g. SP
  6576 identifies a bevel bottom aluminum tank that
  should be rejected.)
• Condemned cylinders with obliterated codes may
  never be returned to service

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Cylinder basics

• Look over the exterior of the cylinder for any
  evidence of damage (bulges, cracks, etc.)
• Check most recent hydrostatic test stamp (should
  be within 5 years of current date)
• Check for a current VIP/Evidence of Inspection
  sticker (should be within 1 year of current
  date). If sticker is suspect for any reason,
  obtain written inspection record.
• Look over valve for any damage and ensure valve
  has pressure release mechnism (burst disc)