1. 29 CFR 1910 Subpart H Hazardous Materials
Compressed gases (general requirements)

2. "Compressed gas" means:
2.3…any material or mixture of gases having in a container either an absolute pressure exceeding 40 psi at 70 deg. F. or
an absolute pressure exceeding 104 psi at 130 deg. F or both or
any liquid flammable material having a Reid vapor pressure exceeding 40 psi absolute at 100 deg. F
See other definitions at 49 CFR
29 CFR

3. Compressed gas cylinder types
Comparative sizes
High Pressure Low Pressure

4. Compressed gas cylinder types High Low Acetylene Cryogenic.
Fusable
Plug
Porous
Mass
Acetone
Solvent
42%
Volume
> 900
PSIG
Vapor AR O2 H2 N2
Very
Cold
Liquid
CO2
CL2
NO2
< 900
PSIG

5. Acetylene cylinders
The decomposition characteristics of acetylene gas are avoided:
By providing a porous mass packing material with minute cellular spaces
No pockets of appreciable size remain where “free” acetylene in gaseous form can collect
This porous mass is saturated with acetone, or other suitable solvent, in which the gaseous acetylene actually dissolves .
Fusable
Plug
Porous
Mass
Acetone
Solvent
42%
Volume

6. Acetylene cylinders . Do not exceed 15 PSI pressure on free acetylene
These two features – porous filler and solvent
Allows acetylene to be contained at moderate pressure without danger of explosive decomposition
Maximum cylinder pressure is 250 PSIG at 70 degrees F. with a variation of about 2.5 PSI rise or fall for each degree rise or fall in temperature
Do not exceed 15 PSI pressure on free acetylene .
Fusable
Plug
Porous
Mass
Acetone
Solvent
42%
Volume

7. Specific OSHA regulations applying to compressed gas cylinders
OSHA STANDARDS
29 CFR 1910 General Industry
Specific OSHA regulations applying to compressed gas cylinders
Oxygen-fuel gas welding and cutting
Compressed gases

8. 101(a) Inspection of compressed gas cylinders
Each employer shall determine that compressed gas cylinders under his control are in a safe condition to the extent that this can be determined by visual inspection...
Compressed gas industry safety information directs end users to examine any cylinders received

9. Gas suppliers advise end users to
Check cylinders as they are received
Verify that labels, tags and shipping papers are appropriate
Reject and return cylinders with obvious damage
Determine that required caps and plugs are in place

10. 1910.101 - Compressed gases General requirements
(a) Inspection of compressed gas cylinders…
…visual and other inspections (per DOT 49 CFR 171 – 179 and CGA C-6 & C- 8)
Applicable to
Suppliers
and
distributors
filling compressed
gas
cylinders

11. Compressed Gas Association Inc. Bulged - cylinder wall failure
CGA C
Bulges Cylinders are manufactured with reasonably symmetrical shape. Cylinder which have definite bulges shall be removed from service
Bulged - cylinder wall failure

12. Compressed Gas Association Inc.
CGA C
Cylinder burst after fire exposure
Fire Damage
Cylinders shall be carefully inspected for evidence of exposure to fire
Charring or burning of paint
Burning or scarfing of the metal
Distortion of the cylinder
Melted out fuse plugs
Burning or melting of valve

13. Gouge with deposit of weld metal
Burn
Gouge with deposit of weld metal

14. Reducing wall thickness - increasing stress
Gouge
Cut
Reducing wall thickness - increasing stress

15. General corrosion with pitting - reducing cylinder strength

16. 101(b) "Compressed gases."
The in-plant handling, storage, and utilization of all compressed gases in cylinders, portable tanks, rail tankcars, or motor vehicle cargo tanks shall be in accordance with Compressed Gas Association Pamphlet P , which is incorporated by reference as specified in Sec

17. industrial and commercial facilities
(b)
The in-plant handling storage and utilization of all compressed gases in cylinders…shall be in accordance with Compressed Gas Association
Pamphlet P
This includes most
industrial and commercial facilities
Pamphlet P

18. Section 3.1 General
Never tamper with the safety relief devices in valves or cylinders
Never attempt to repair or to alter cylinders, valves, or safety relief devices.

19. Section 3.1 General
Never use cylinders as rollers, supports, or for any purpose other than to contain the content as received
Big &
heavy

20. Section 3.1 General
Keep cylinder valve closed at all times, except when the cylinder is in active use.
Notify owner of cylinder if any condition has occurred which might permit any foreign substance to enter the cylinder or valve giving details and cylinder serial number.

21. Section 3.1 General
3.1.19
Do not place cylinders where they might become part of an electric circuit.
When the cylinders are used in conjunction with electric welding, precautions must be taken against accidentally grounding compressed gas cylinders and allowing them to be burned by electric welding arc.
Insulator

22. Section 3.2 Moving Cylinders
Caps in place
Lifting
Dropping
Lifting with magnets
Dragging

23. Section 3.2 Moving Cylinders
Do not lift cylinders by the cap.
Never drop cylinders nor permit them to strike against each other or against other surfaces violently.
Concrete

24. Electro-magnet
Never handle a cylinder with a lifting magnet.
Avoid dragging or sliding cylinders.

25. Section 3.2 Moving Cylinders
3.2.6
Use suitable hand truck, fork truck, roll platform or similar device with cylinder firmly secured for transporting and unloading. !

26. ? 3.3 Storing Cylinders Local Regs Posting
Separation (different types)
Separation (charged & empty)
Storage rooms
Highly flammable substances
Avoid dampness
Protection of cylinders
Care of cylinders ?

27. 3.3 Storing Cylinders
Do not store cylinders near highly flammable substances such as oil, gasoline or waste.
Fire is a threat to containment!
MEK

28. 3.3 Storing Cylinders
3.3.8
Protect cylinders from any object that will produce a cut or other abrasion in the surface of the metal…. ?

29. 3.3 Storing Cylinders Cont’d
3.3.8….
Do not store cylinders near elevators or gangways, or in locations where heavy moving objects may strike or fall on them…. ?

30. At gas manufacturers and distributors not user work sites, proper nesting is considered safe storage by the compressed gas industry.
Proper nesting supports all cylinders by contact at three points ?

31. 3.4 Withdrawing Cylinder Content
Handling
Identification
Removing cap
Properly supported
Pressure regulating devices
Connections

32. 3.4 Withdrawing Cylinder Content
If cylinder content is not identified by marking, return cylinder to the supplier without using.
I’m not labeled!!

33. 3.4 Withdrawing Cylinder Content
3.4.4
Before using a cylinder,
be sure it is properly supported
to prevent it from being knocked over.

34. 3.4 Withdrawing Cylinder Content
Suitable pressure regulating devices must be used in all cases where gas is admitted to systems having pressure rating limitations lower than the cylinder pressure.

35. 3.4 Withdrawing Cylinder Content
Never force connections that do not fit.

36. 3.4 Withdrawing Cylinder Content
Where compressed gas cylinders are connected to a manifold, such a manifold and its related equipment, such as regulators, must be of proper design.

37. Stationary acetylene cylinder manifold and other equipment
F – Flash arrestor chamber
G – Escape pipe
H – Cylinder
connection pipe
J – Check valve
and drain plug
K – Acetylene cylinders A B C D E F G J K H
Stationary acetylene cylinder manifold and other equipment
A – Line valve
B – Release valve
C – Filler plug
D – Header pipe
E - Regulator

38. 3.4 Withdrawing Cylinder Content
Regulators, gages, hoses and other appliances provided for use with a particular gas or group of gases must not be used on cylinders containing gases having different chemical properties unless information obtained from the supplier indicates that this can be done safely.
Acetylene regulator and oxygen cylinders

39. 3.4 Withdrawing Cylinder Content
3.4.9
Open cylinder valve slowly. Point the valve opening away from yourself and other persons.
Never use wrenches or tools except those provided or approved by the gas manufacturer.
Avoid the use of a wrench on valves equipped with handwheels.
Never hammer the valve wheel in attempting to open or close the valve.
For valves that are hard to open, or frozen because of corrosion, contact the supplier for instructions.

40. 3.4 Withdrawing Cylinder Content
Never use compressed gases where the cylinder is apt to be contaminated by the feedback of process materials unless protected by suitable traps or check valves.
Before a regulator is removed from a cylinder, close the cylinder valve and release all pressure from the regulator.

41. Indoor cylinder storage
3.5 Flammable Gases
Indoor cylinder storage
Well protected
Well ventilated
Dry
Twenty feet from flammable or combustible materials
Oxygen
Fuel
Gas
20 Feet

42. 3.5 Flammable Gases
Do not store cylinders near highly flammable solvents, combustible waste material and similar substances, or near unprotected electrical connections, gas flames or other sources of ignition.

43. 3.5 Flammable Gases
3.5.2
Never use a flame to detect flammable gas leaks.
Use soapy water.

44. 3.5 Flammable Gases
3.5.3
Do not store reserve stocks of cylinders containing flammable gases with cylinders containing oxygen.
Fuel
Gas
Fuel
Gas
Oxygen

45. 3.6 Poison Gases
3.6.1
Personnel handling and using poison gases should have available for immediate use gas masks or self-contained breathing apparatus of a design approved by U.S. Bureau of Mines for the particular service desired.