Compressed Cylinder Safety NCMAQB

Subject to damage from other activities in the vicinity Electrical cord in Contact with the cylinder Cylinder laying in a horizontal position.

Cylinders are not protected from falling. Note Chain Cylinders are not protected from falling. Note that the Chain is not secured across.

2. Cylinder should be stored 3. Subject to damage. Electrical Cord Cylinder not secured 2. Cylinder should be stored 3. Subject to damage. 4. Electrical cord draped over.

1. Small cylinder not tied off 2. Combustibles stored with cylinders 3. Bad housekeeping 4. Acetylene and Oxygen stored too close together and no chain.

1. Cylinder with no valve or cap installed 2. Laying horizontal on the ground 3. Subject to damage

Cylinder is damaged. Should be taken out of service immediately! Electrical arc damage Cylinder is damaged. Should be taken out of service immediately!

Cylinder should be in storage protected from damage and not laying on the ground regardless if it is full or empty

Forklift 1. Cylinders laying on the ground and improperly stored 2. Subject to damage from forklift operation in vicinity

1. Feed line exposed to damage/leak that could cause a fire/explosion 2. Tripping Hazard

1. Inadequate housekeeping 2. Valve caps should be installed.

Unsecured acetylene cylinder 2. Exposed to damage

Unsecured cylinders

Regulator left pressurized after use

Improper Storage

Tie Off?

Cylinders not Secured properly

Free standing cylinders Exposed to damage From construction Activities in area

What a pressurized Container can do When the right amount of heat is applied.

How not to blow yourself up Or, the importance of using flashback arrestors on oxy-acetylene carts and keeping spark producing activities Away From You (min 35 ft.).

An Ironworker crew was modifying a temporary structural steel bridge using an Oxygen/Acetylene torch setup on a cart, a portable welder, and a grinder. Apparently the Acetylene hose developed a leak and ignited during the grinding operation (Monday June 18, 2001)

The torch setup was not equipped with a “flashback” arrestor check valve and the fire traveled through the hose into the compressed cylinder. All Oxygen/Acetylene setups must have a “Flashback” arrestor check valve at the regulators, NOT the torch head, to prevent this type of occurrence. This little device would have prevented this fire.

30 CFR § 56.4600 Extinguishing equipment. WELDING/CUTTING/COMPRESSED GASES (a) When welding, cutting, soldering, thawing, or bending (1) With an electric arc or with an open flame where an electrically conductive extinguishing agent could create an electrical hazard, a multipurpose dry-chemical fire extinguisher or other extinguisher with at least a 2-A:10-B:C rating shall be at the worksite. (2) With an open flame in an area where no electrical hazard exists, a multipurpose dry-chemical fire extinguisher or equivalent fire extinguishing equipment for the class of fire hazard present shall be at the worksite.

30 CFR § 56.4601 Oxygen cylinder storage. Oxygen cylinders shall not be stored in rooms or areas used or designated for storage of flammable or combustible liquids, including grease.

30 CFR § 56.4602 Gauges and regulators. Gauges and regulators used with oxygen or acetylene cylinders shall be kept clean and free of oil and grease.

30 CFR § 56.4603 Closure of valves. To prevent accidental release of gases from hoses and torches attached to oxygen and acetylene cylinders or to manifold systems, cylinder or manifold system valves shall be closed when (a) The cylinders are moved; (b) The torch and hoses are left unattended; or (c) The task or series of tasks is completed.

30 CFR § 56.15007 Protective equipment or clothing for welding, cutting, or working with molten metal. Protective clothing or equipment and face shields, or goggles shall be worn when welding, cutting, or working with molten metal.

30 CFR § 56.16005 Securing gas cylinders. Compressed and liquid gas cylinders shall be secured in a safe manner.

30 CFR § 56.16006 Protection of gas cylinder valves. Valves on compressed gas cylinders shall be protected by covers when being transported or stored, and by a safe location when the cylinders are in use.