Many industrial operations require the use of compressed gases. Compressed gas cylinders pose serious safety risk because they have the potential of exploding, becoming flying projectiles or the control valve may become a bullet if not installed properly. The gas could suffocate, poison, or cause serious health problems if leaked into the surrounding air depending on the type of gas contained in the cylinders.

Gases could be flammable, explosive, corrosive, poisonous, acidic, reactive, or combination of hazards.

It’s necessary to carefully handle, use and store the compressed gas cylinders, carefully use the regulators, which control the compressed gas flow, and carefully choose and identify the pipes used to transport the compressed gases.

Due to their potential safety and health hazards, OSHA regulated the handling and use of compressed gases through its 29 CFR1910.101 standard setting guidelines to ensure workers safety in the workplace. The standard refers to the Compressed Gas Association Pamphlet P-1-1965 for the in-plant handling, storage, and utilization of all compressed gases cylinders. The OSHA standard also refers to the Hazardous Material Regulations of the Department of Transportation (49 CFR parts 171-179 and 14 CFR part 103) for visual and other inspections of the compressed gas cylinders.

Compressed gas cylinders must be clearly identified for their contents by name. If the gas cylinder contents are not identified or the cylinder content label is not legible, the cylinder should be marked “content unknown” and returned immediately to the supplier. The labels should be color coded to distinguish the hazardous gases. Always read the label and refer to the MSDS for the gas being used before handling or using compressed gases.

No attempts should be made to repair compressed gas cylinders or valves. Valves are gas specific and should be compatible with the fittings. Valves should be free of damage at all times and should not be used to lift the cylinder.

Cylinders should never be rolled or dragged. When the cylinders are not in use, the valves should be kept closed. Empty cylinders should be marked as such with the valve closed and returned to the supplier as soon as possible.

Proper respiratory protection should be made available when toxic, poisonous, acidic or alkaline gases are handled or used. Emergency eyewash must be present in areas where corrosive, acidic, or alkaline gases are present.

Cylinders should be stored in dry, well-ventilated rooms, and should be properly secured at all times to prevent tipping or accidentally knocked over. They should be stored away from walkways, doors, exits, etc. and away from any source of spark, heat or flame. Cylinders should be grouped by type separating the full and empty containers. Signs should be posted in areas where compressed gases are stored, identifying the substance and the appropriate precautions. The storage room should be properly ventilated and fire extinguishers should be made available with “No Smoking” signs posted where flammable gases are stored.

All gas lines leading from a compressed gas supply should be made of a material compatible with the type of gas used and clearly labeled to identify the gas.

Only properly trained personal should handle compressed gases.

There are countless industries which use compressed gas and compressed gas cylinders for business. If yours is one of them, then you undoubtedly have come across OSHA standard 1910.101. This standard regulates compressed gases and the handling of compressed gas cylinders. It regulates how to inspect cylinders, how to fill cylinders, how to dispense of compressed gases, what signage is required, and how to store and catalog compressed gas cylinders. It is an extremely important standard, but also an extremely easy standard to have an issue with on an audit.

Employees are expected to regularly review gas cylinders under their control to ensure they are being stored in a safe place. This is a quite subjective and vague explanation, but to get a better explanation, OSHA refers you to the Department of Transportation to review their regulations on hazardous materials. If you need further clarification, you are directed to the Compressed Gas Association Pamphlets C-6-1968 and C-8-1982.

For the handling, storage, and utilization of compressed gases in portable tanks, rail tankcars, cylinders, or motor vehicle cargo tanks, you are referred to the Compressed Gas Association Pamphlet P-1-1965. If you need information about safety relief devices, such as pressure relief devices, you are further referred to Compressed Gas Association Pamphlets S-1.1-1963 and 1965.

If you need help sorting out your OSHA compliance, or updating your signs, please review our audit services and safety signs store, then contact us. If you have anything to add about compressed gas cylinders, please leave a comment.