How To Safely Handle And Store Compressed Gas Cylinders

By Author: Punyam Academy
Total Articles: 42
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Compressed gas cylinders can be dangerous if handled incorrectly. Read on to learn how to use them safely.

The Compressed Gas Cylinder Safety is basic and priority requirements in any organization working with or uses of compressed gases. Such organizations must provide Compressed Gas Cylinder Safety training which must mainly covers the aspects of safe use, handling, transportation, storage, and disposal of gas cylinders. Taking care of all such safety aspects is necessary to ensure the safety of employees and workplace where compressed gas cylinders are used and/ or stored.

Compressed gases such as hydrogen and nitrogen are widely used in various industries, including oil and gas, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, plastics and chemical processing. Often, compressed gas is supplied in high pressure gas cylinders, which can be very dangerous if handled incorrectly.

The reason these cylinders can be so dangerous is that they store thousands of litter’s compressed gas at high pressure. Due to the high pressure and volume of the gas stored, a leaking gas cylinder can act like a rocket - moving to ...
... a nearby surface. A Leak can also be dangerous in other ways. For example, if the leaking gas is nitrogen there is a risk of suffocation, and if it is hydrogen it can cause an explosion.

How to safely handle and move gas cylinders

To avoid these hazards, it is important to know how to properly handle and store a compressed gas cylinder. Upon arrival, the gas cylinder should be visually inspected for any damage and once acknowledged by the vendor the wheeled cylinder should be next to the cylinder with the cylinder then being ‘walked’ onto the cart to be secured in a vertical position with chains straps to prevent the cylinder from tilting, sliding or falling over. Cylinder cart are specifically designed to move gas cylinders and should always be used even from short distances. The gas cylinder should never be moved with a magnet, should be tilted horizontally, should not be pulled or lifted by the cylinder cap.

How to safely store gas cylinders

Gas cylinders should be stored in a storage area that is well ventilated, weather-proof and protected from any combustible material or heat source. Hazard classification should be used to isolate incompatible gases so that they are stored at least 20 feet away or by fireproof partitions. For example, oxidizing gases should be kept separate from flammable gases.

Metal cylinders conduct electricity so they should be well stored away from electrical circuits, sparks and open flames and care should be taken that they are not placed next to anything that could potentially accidentally carry current, such as metal piping.