Safety Precautions for Handling Industrial Gases and Mixture Gas Cylinder

Industrial gases have different properties and if proper handling and safety instructions are not followed, they may cause injury. Accidents are caused by improper application, misuse of gas or due to the containers. Other major causes of accidents are improper installation, failure to provide maintenance and failure to properly follow gas and gas cylinder manufactures instructions in the operations of regulators and other gas accessory equipment. Proper training is must and one should be able to recognise the emergency conditions under some circumstances. Let’s have a look at the general precautions that should be observed while handling any compressed gas.

General precautions

• ·   Never identify contents and gases by the container color except in case of medical gases. Color codes are not uniform throughout the gas industry
  
• ·      Cylinder contents must always be identified by label, tag or stenciling. If it lacks any identifying label, return it to the seller
  
• ·      Never abuse mixture gas cylinder by using them by rollers, striking arcs and blocks etc.
  
• ·         Never lift gas cylinders with valve protection cap
  
• ·       Always secure cylinders in transit and do not transport them in closed vans or vehicles
  
• ·      Use a pressure reducing regulator that is properly conditions for the gas being used
  
• ·    All the employees using gas and mixture gas cylinder must be aware of its specific properties and are trained for the handling
  
• ·         Never oil or lubricate the gas cylinder valves
  
• ·         Never lift gas cylinders above the chest height
  

Storage requirements

The following information covers some of the major requirements of storing the gases and compressed gas cylinders.

• ·         Store all the cylinders in the designated areas which are secure
  
• ·         Flammable, oxygen and toxic material  shall be separated from each other at a minimum distance of 20 feet
  
• ·         Outdoor storage must also be kept clear of dry vegetation and combustible materials at a minimum distance of 15 feet
  
• ·         Cylinders placed on the outside area should not be kept on the ground or on the surfaces where water can accumulate
  
• ·         Cylinders shall not be exposed to the excess temperature of 125 F
  
• ·         Smoking and open flame shall not be permitted in the flammable and oxygen gas areas
  
• ·         Don’t store cylinders near elevators, gangways or under the operating cranes or other areas where they can get damaged by the falling objects
  
• ·         Observe local code limits set for the storage of flammable gases and calibration gas cylinder in buildings
  

Hazards of Industrial gases

There are certain properties, precautions and hazards associated with industrial gases as well the mixture gas cylinder. These gases are Carbon Dioxide, Argon, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Propane, Butane and Nitrous oxide etc. Each of these gases has at least one of the following hazards:

• 1.       Oxidizing
  
• 2.       Extreme cold
  
• 3.       Flammable
  
• 4.       Inert
  
• 5.       High Pressure
  

More than one hazard can also be associated with any particular gas. To avoid such hazards always follow the instructions associated with particular gases given by high pressure gas cylinder manufacturers and suppliers.