Safe handling of gas cylinders
At Woikoski, we have over a hundred years of experience in gas manufacturing, so we have solid expertise in the safe handling of gas cylinders.
Potential safety risks must always be managed when handling, moving, transporting and storing gases. Always consult the product safety data sheet before using the product. A safety data sheet is a document that conveys information about the properties and risks of a substance or mixture, and about safe use.
Safe handling
Personnel handling gas cylinders must have received appropriate training from their employer. The training must include instruction in handling cylinders with due regard to safety and in possible emergency situations.
- Anyone handling cylinders must identify the cylinders they are handling by the markings on them.
- A gas cylinder is easily tipped over, and should be handled with care.
- When removing the cylinder from the cylinder basket, DO NOT turn the open cylinder basket upside down. The open cylinder basket must be closed.
- The cylinder in use must be properly secured.
- The valve and outlet of the cylinder in use must be clean at all times. Particular care must be taken to ensure that there are no traces of oil or grease. For example, oxygen and nitrous oxide, when under pressure, ignite explosively on contact with oil or grease.
- The valve is opened and closed by hand. It takes about one turn to open the cylinder. The valve is opened slowly to avoid a pressure shock. The use of assistive devices is prohibited!
- The valve of the medical cylinder is sealed. Before using the cylinder, make sure that the seal is intact. If the seal is damaged, contact Woikoske.
- A damaged valve and cylinder must always be reported to Woikoske.
- Only use pressure regulators, operating devices and other equipment that have been carefully checked and are suitable for the gas being used. If in doubt, please contact Woikoske.
- Smoking and open fires are prohibited during use.
- The cylinder valve must be closed after each use and when the cylinder is empty.
When moving or transporting cylinders, the driver must be aware of the potential hazards of the load and know what to do in the event of an accident or incident.
- The protective cap on the bottle valve must ALWAYS be in place during transport or even minor handling.
- The load must be secured.
- The gas cylinders must not be connected to any operating equipment during transport.
- Cylinders shall be transported in an upright position.
- LPG cylinders must ALWAYS be transported in an upright position.
- Liquid nitrogen cans and carbon dioxide ice (dry ice) shall be carried in open vehicles with the load compartment isolated from the cab.
- Cylinders must not be knocked, thrown or dropped from the vehicle platform. Bumps on the cylinder are a disqualification for roadworthiness testing and the mass in the acetylene cylinder may break on impact. If the acetylene cylinder is hit hard, the surface temperature of the cylinder must be monitored and controlled for approximately one hour. If the cylinder starts to heat up, call the emergency number 112.
- The valves of safety bottles, especially the quick connectors, are sensitive to failure.
- Cylinders must be transported using equipment designed for the purpose.
- ADR regulations must be observed during transport
All legal and local requirements for the storage of cylinders must be observed.
- The gas storage facility must be locked and unauthorised access to the gas storage facility must be prevented.
- Gas cylinders must always be stored in marked places, empty and full cylinders separately, medical and industrial gases separately. There must be a designated place for product defects, as well as a quarantine area. Storage areas must have adequate markings, such as COTTLES, GAS CELLAR, FULL and EMPTY signs. The storage facility must also have the necessary warning signs.
- When storing medical gases, care must be taken to ensure that adequate space is available and that medical products are stored separately from other products.
- Storage areas for medical gases must be fenced and locked when not in use. Small cylinders may be stored in a locked interior area. Medicinal gases, including empty cylinders, must be stored in a weather-protected area.
- Medical gas preparation and storage rooms shall not be used as social rooms.
- Nitrous oxide cylinders of 20 litres or less shall be stored separately in a locked cabinet, cylinder basket or cage.
- Vehicles shall have unobstructed and easy access to the storage area.
- There shall be sufficient space in the storage area to move cylinders and cylinder batteries.
- Bottles must be stored in a well-ventilated area.
- Gas cylinders should not be stored in conditions that promote rusting.
- Cylinders shall be stored upright and secured, topped or supported so that they cannot fall over
- Valve caps of gas cylinders shall be in place during storage
- The storage area should be limited to the space protected by the external walls.
- The door to the warehouse must be directly outwards; in addition, the doors must be of sufficient size and must not have thresholds.
- The floor of the warehouse should be flat and made of non-combustible material, preferably concrete.
- Vehicles should have unobstructed and easy access to the warehouse.
- The external space of the storage area must be sufficient for the movement of bottles and bottle dispensers.
- Take into account LPG regulatory constraints and requirements for indoor storage.
Safety risks related to gases
Changing the oxygen content of the air affects people as oxygen deficiency or over-oxygenation. Prolonged inhalation of oxygen concentrations above 75% can cause nausea, dizziness and breathing difficulties. An increase in the concentration of asphyxiant gas in the breathing air poses a risk of suffocation. Examples of asphyxiant gases include nitrogen, carbon dioxide and argon. Asphyxiation occurs unnoticed and can be fatal.
The gas vaporised from the liquid is very cold. Heavier than air, cold gas vapours can accumulate in drains and basements and cause an increase in the gas concentration in the premises. Anyone suffering from oxygen deficiency or who is suffering from oxygen deficiency should be immediately evacuated to fresh air. If the victim is having difficulty breathing or is not breathing, administer artificial respiration as quickly as possible and call for help. When rescuing a victim, it is important to remember not to enter an oxygen-deprived area without breathing equipment.
Oxygen is not a flammable gas, but an increase in oxygen concentration will greatly intensify and sustain the fire. Oxygen reacts strongly with many organic and inorganic substances. Even substances that are normally considered non-combustible may ignite. Cylinders may rupture/explosion as a result of fire.
Acetylene and hydrogen are highly flammable gases. They may ignite when discharged without a clear ignition source, e.g. static electricity. A leaking gas creates an explosion hazard.
It is not recommended to extinguish flammable acetylene unless the gas flow into the firebag can be shut off. Leaking acetylene can easily re-ignite and the resulting gas cloud can create an explosion hazard. To prevent the fire from spreading, cool the area around the burning area with water if you can do so safely.
A hydrogen fire is always extinguished by cutting off the flow of gas into the fire bag. Other extinguishing methods are dangerous because leaking hydrogen can easily re-ignite and the resulting gas cloud can cause an explosion. To prevent the fire from spreading, cool the area around the burning area with water if you can do so safely.
The liquid gas and its vapours are extremely cold and cause frostbite on the skin. Touching uninsulated parts of the equipment with bare skin may cause the skin to catch and tear. In the event of an accident, rinse the heavily damaged areas with lukewarm water and seek medical attention.
Certain materials are unsuitable for use at low temperatures because they become brittle and lose their resistance to impact. Materials normally suitable for use at low temperatures are stainless steel, aluminium and their alloys.
Appropriate personal protective equipment must be specified for handling gases.