COMPRESSED GASES

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COMPRESSED GASES
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Compressed Gases

• Chemicals include oxygen, argon, nitrogen,
  helium, acetylene, hydrogen, nitrous oxide,
  carbon dioxide, ammonia, chlorine, etc.
• Compressed gases used in bulk systems or portable
  cylinders
• Industry uses include welding, cutting,
  operating tools, transferring liquids, blowing
  agents, laboratories, etc.

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Hazards of Compressed Gases

• Explosion
• Flammability
• Corrosive
• Toxicity
• Reactivity
• Air displacing
• Check MSDS for specific hazards

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Markings or Labels

• Name of the compressed gas
• Hazards of the compressed gas
• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
  labels
• Department of Transportation (DOT) labels
• Do not remove any labels

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Identification of compressed gas
Identification of Compressed Gas
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FLAMMABLE GASES

• ACETYLENE
• PROPANE
• HYDROGEN
• ETHYLENE OXIDE
• BUTANE

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NON-FLAMMABLE GASES

• NITROGEN
• ARGON
• HELIUM
• CARBON DIOXIDE
• NITROUS OXIDE

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OXIDIZERS

• OXYGEN
• NITROUS OXIDE

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POISON GASES

• SPECIALTY GASES
• AMMONIA

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Manual Cylinder Handling

• Close the valve and put on the cap
• Do not walk cylinder by holding onto valve stem
  or cap
• Never roll a cylinder on its side
• Use a hand truck with a secure system

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Cylinder Storage Area

• Dry, well ventilated, protected from weather
• Away from combustibles, heat sources, electrical
  systems
• No sparks, smoking, open flames
• Oxygen separated from fuels
• Upright, secured, valve cap on
• Not in elevators, staircases, hallways, etc.
• Sign requirements

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Cylinder Use

• Upright and secure
• Away from flames, sparks, electricity
• Keep oil, grease, flammables off cylinders
• Open valve by hand, if tools required dont use
  the cylinder
• Open valve slowly with hand to the side
• Dont tamper with safety devices

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Cylinder Inspection

• CHECK FOR
• DENTS
• CUTS OR GOUGES
• CORROSION AND PITTING
• BULGES
• CRACKS AND FLAWS
• HOLES AND TEARS
• IF FOUND, DO NOT USE THAT CYLINDER SYSTEM

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General Safety Precautions

• Only accept and use DOT approved cylinders
• Do not drop cylinders
• Protect cylinders from cuts and abrasions
• Dont use cylinders for unintended function such
  as a roller or support
• Dont tamper with safety valves
• Caps on whenever not in use

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General Safety Precautions

• READ ALL LABELS - IF NONE DO NOT ASSUME A
  CYLINDER CONTAINS A SPECIFIC GAS BASED ON COLOR
• BE AWARE OF ALL HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH THE
  COMPRESSED GASES THAT YOU WILL BE USING
• REVIEW MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS, (MSDS), FOR
  SPECIFIC GASES
• A STANDARD 250 CUBIC FOOT CYLINDER PRESSURIZED TO
  2500 PSIG CAN ATTAIN A SPEED OF 34 MPH IN
  ONE-TENTH OF A SECOND AFTER VENTING FROM A BROKEN
  CYLINDER CONNECTION