Offices
or facilities that contain compressed gases require a high standard of care,
along with a high standard of training to ensure employee compliance with
safety rules.
Basic Rules
Although specific precautions for using compressed gases safely
vary depending on the gas, there are a number of essential rules that apply to
all compressed gases: (1) use cylinders only in well-ventilated areas; (2) keep
them away from heat and ignition sources; (3) make sure they are secured
upright when in use; (4) open valves slowly, making sure they have pointed away
from you and co-workers; (5) don't try to force valves that won't open; (6)
don't tamper with safety devices; (7) make sure that equipment is compatible
with the cylinder pressure and contents; (8) check all connections before use
and periodically during use to make sure they are not leaking; (9) keep valves
closed when cylinders are not in use; and (10) when the cylinder is empty, close
the valve, disassemble equipment properly, replace the valve protection cap,
mark the cylinder "empty" or "MT" and store it separately from full cylinders.
Storage Requirements
OSHA is extremely specific about compressed gas storage
requirements. While there is some variation depending on the gas, all must be
stored in the following manner: (1) in a dry, well-ventilated area; (2) at
least 20 feet from combustible materials, heat sources, or electrical wiring;
(3) away from stairs and elevators; (4) in locations where they are unlikely to
be knocked or hit; (5) secured uprightly by a chain or cable; (6) at least 20
feet from oxygen cylinders; (7) with valves closed and valve protection caps
screwed down, and (8) with oldest cylinders placed so they will be used first.
The Right Moves
The potential for accidents increases when compressed gas
cylinders are moved. When they must be moved, employees should: (1) move
cylinders secured upright to a hand truck or other appropriate device; (2) keep
valve protection caps on; (3) don't try to carry cylinders by hand, don't roll
them, and don't drag them; (4) make sure not to bump, hit or drop the cylinder;
(5) keep them away from sparks, heat, fire, and electrical circuits while moving
them; and (6) avoid handling cylinders with oily or greasy hands (oil or grease
could react with the gas and start a fire, or slippery hands could lose their
grip and result in a cylinder hitting the ground or other object).