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Safety talk about compressed gases. 02/05/2013 Source: EHS (512) 471 3511 Airgas (866) 924 7427 (training = OH204). Gases classification, hazards. Hydrogen, Methylamine, Carbon monoxide, Acetylene, ammonia…. Oxygen, nitrogen oxides (NO, NO 2 ), chlorine. Argon, nitrogen
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Safety talk about compressed gases 02/05/2013 Source: EHS (512) 471 3511 Airgas (866) 924 7427 (training = OH204)
Gases classification, hazards Hydrogen, Methylamine, Carbon monoxide, Acetylene, ammonia… Oxygen, nitrogen oxides (NO, NO2), chlorine Argon, nitrogen Helium, carbon dioxide HCl, phosgene Carbon monoxide, Phosgene, HCl Dangerously Reactive Gases like acetylene are very easy to ignite: Slight temperature, pressure increases, static electricity or mechanical shock => polymerization or decomposition reactions => Fire or explosion Oxygen: seems to be harmless but we must be very careful ( flash fires => severe burns) If you are not sure: take a look to the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) The only safe means of determining product identity: cylinder labels (colors cannot be used)
Cylinder identification 1. Department of transportation, cylinder type of material of construction (3AA), working Pressure in psi (2,265) 2. Serial number 3. Date of manufacture 4. Original owner of the cylinder 5. Retest markings (month-facility-year-plus ratings-star stamp, with = 10-year retest instead of 5 and = qualifies for 10% overfill 6. Bar code label (to track cylinders) 7. manufacturer’s inspection marking 8. Cylinder tare
Cylinder properties Under high pressure and heavy cylinders
Storage hazards uncontrolled rockets or pinwheels Fire and/or explosion Secured by a strap or a chain (upright position) Arrangement of cylinders will increase the stability of secured cylinders (at least three points of contact) Temperature < 130 degrees F Proper ventilation (do not store in confined spaces without ventilation) Safety caps Incompatible gases (oxidizers and flammable gases) stored separately ( a minimum of 20 feet between cylinders)
Transport hazards uncontrolled rockets or pinwheels Fire and/or explosion Secured by a strap or a chain to the cart Use the cap (remove regulators and pigtails) Pay attention to the pathway Proper clothing and closed-toed shoes
Utilization • Hazardous gases should be used in areas with proper ventilation (gas cabinets and • chemical fume hoods) • Check the compatibility of the cylinder gas regulator: rated for • Fullcylinder pressure (regulators must be used!!) • Valves, pigtails, regulators all have the potential to leak • Loosen the connection • Check the seating surface • Realign the connections and tighten with a wrench (not too much) • If it still leaks, notify EHS and the gas supplier • Do not use Teflon tape (contaminants into gas stream) • or lubricants (particularly with oxidizing gases) • Open valves (first cylinder valve) slowly standing to the • side of the regulator • When you finished: close valves (pressure gauges = 0psi) Highly toxic gas: contact EHS (special storage, training, monitoring may be required)