COMPRESSED GAS

Safety Training Module

 Stories of Compressed Gases
2

 Employee killed when cylinder turned into a rocket

because its valve was knocked off
 Employee suffocated after entering a space filled
with nitrogen
 Facility damaged when acetylene cylinder heated
up and exploded
 Eyebrows singed when lighting a gas BBQ
 Training Goals
3

 Compressed Gases and Cylinders in General

 Specific Compressed Gases
 Quiz
 Basics of Compressed Gases
4

 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.
HAZARDS OF COMPRESSED
GASES
 Explosion
 Flammability
 Corrosive
 Toxicity
 Reactivity
 Air displacing
 Check MSDS for specific
hazards
 Markings or Labels
6

 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
 Bulk Systems
7

 Built and maintained by qualified personnel

 Filled by trained and qualified personnel
 Tank and piping properly labeled
 Tank system protected from damage
 Cylinder Transportation
8

 Receiving/shipping cylinders requires

DOT Hazardous Materials training
 Use lift trucks or hoists only with proper lifting
equipment
 Never use a sling or electromagnet to hoist a
cylinder
 Never lift a cylinder by the valve cap
 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
 Cylinder Storage Area
10

 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
 Cylinder Use
11

 Upright and secure

 Away from flames, sparks, electricity
 Keep oil, grease, flammables off cylinders
 Open valve by hand, if tools required don’t use the
cylinder
 Open valve slowly with hand to the side
 Don’t tamper with safety devices
 Regulators and Gauges
12

 Regulator and gauge rated for the pressure

in the gas system
 Regulator must be compatible with the gas
 Do not exchange gauge from one gas to another
 Thread sealant recommended by manufacturer for
application
 Wear eye protection when operating regulator
 LEAKING CYLINDERS
 Never try to repair
 Tag it, move it outdoors, and
keep it away from heat or flame
 Call manufacturer
or dealer
 General Cylinder Safety
14

 Only accept and use DOT approved cylinders

 Do not drop cylinders
 Protect cylinders from cuts and abrasions
 Don’t use cylinders for unintended function such as
a roller or support
 Don’t tamper with safety valves
 Caps on whenever not in use
 Goals of Compressed Gases
15

 Compressed Gases and Cylinders in General

 Specific Compressed Gases
 Quiz
 LPG (Propane)
16

 Liquid petroleum gases (LPG) include propane,

propylene, butane, butylene
 Liquid under pressure, released as a gas
 LPG containers must meet specific
design criteria
 Cylinders have pressure relief valves
 Regulated by local fire department
 LPG Hazards
17

 Flammable and reactive

 Gases are colorless and odorless
 Heavier than air, may build up
and explode unexpectedly
 Adequate ventilation required
 LPG Containers
18

 Marked as an approved container

 Capacity and design pressure
 Shut-off valve, pressure relief valve,
level gauge
 Never use container not approved for LPG,
corroded or damaged, missing accessory
 LPG HANDLING
 No Smoking, use sparkless tools
 Fill or dispense outside or in well
ventilated area – wear PPE such as
glove and goggles.
 Secure to forklift or other vehicle
 Report damaged cylinders
 Leak detection
 Compressed Air
20

 Flying fragments penetrate eyes or skin

 Compressed air can penetrate skin, damage eyes or
ears
 Use lowest pressure for the job
 Wear eye and skin protection
 Store air hose properly and inspect regularly
OXYGEN
 Does not burn or explode by
itself
 Supports combustion process
 Explosive with acetylene,
hydrogen
 Never handle with oily hands
or gloves
 Acetylene
22

 Flammable
 Cylinder packed with porous material and solvent
that holds the acetylene
 Once the valve is opened, the acetylene flows out
in gaseous form
 Pressure relief valve using fusible metal that melts
at about 212 °F
 Miscellaneous Gases
23

 Gases such as argon and nitrogen are

used to displace air
 Helium could cause rapid suffocation
 Gases like ammonia and chlorine will
cause large evacuations even for small leaks
 Summary
24

 Cylinders must always be stored and

secured properly
 Use caution when transporting cylinders
 Understand the hazards of a compressed
gas before using it
 Even compressed air can be dangerous