Industrial gas cylinders are widely used for welding, fermenting liquids, medical applications, and much more. The cylinders are filled with low molecular weight chemicals in gaseous forms, which are used regularly. But if not handled appropriately, the gases can be hazardous in various industrial conditions. Here are some of the important safety tips for handling industrial gas cylinders.
Understand the cylinder properly
The person handling the industrial gas cylinder should be familiar with the potential risks and hazards associated with compressed gases. He/she should understand the properties of the gas, including toxicity, flammability limits, and its threshold limit value (TLV), and know about the hazards posed by the gas at low temperature, high pressure, or due to changes in the physical state of the gas.
Use personal protective equipment
Personal protective equipment is mandatory to use while handling industrial gas cylinders. This equipment includes safety glasses, gas masks, safety shoes, and other equipment. It is also crucial to use flame arrestors when using gases like acetylene cylinders in compressed air.
Use regulators properly
Improper handling and storage of regulators can lead to problems in the long run. Thus, it is important that you take the following precautions while using regulators.
- Using the right type of regulator for the portable gas cylinder.
- Inspect the regulator before attaching it to the cylinder.
- Making proper connections. If proper connections cannot be made, then you might probably be using the wrong device.
- Closing the valve of the cylinder and releasing the pressure from the regulator, before removing it from the cylinder.
Use proper handling equipment to move the cylinders
When moving the cylinder within the facility or transporting it to a different location, it is important that proper handling equipment is used. You can use proper cylinder pallets or cylinder trolleys when moving individual cylinders. If you are moving them to a different location, then the vehicles or containers used for transportation should use the relevant Haz-chem code, TREM cards, and MSDS.
Inspect the cylinders before using them
If the industrial gas cylinder is stored for a long time, it must be inspected for any signs of alterations, discoloration, heat damage, or other signs.
Store the cylinders appropriately
All of the compressed gas cylinders should be stored in a dry, ventilated, and well-drained area. They should be kept away from ignitable and inflammable materials, and empty cylinders should be stored separately. It is suggested that oxygen and fuel gas cylinders be stored separately. Proper warning signs should be displayed in the area where the cylinders are stacked, regarding the dos and don'ts. It should be always ensured that acetylene gas cylinders and other compressed gas cylinders are stored vertically.
Conclusion
It is important to ensure that all of the extreme precautions and safety measures are followed while working with a portable gas cylinder, as several hazards and risks are posed by them. However, the most important safety measure is sourcing them from a reliable manufacturer.
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