School Safety Training
Compressed Gases
WAC 296-24-Part K
1/05
Notice
• This presentation is provided to all Educational Service
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District 101 (ESD 101) schools at no cost.
This presentation contains copyrighted materials purchased
by ESD 101 for the exclusive use of training school personnel
within ESD 101.
This presentation may not be reproduced except to print
“handouts” or “notes pages” for use during training within
ESD 101 school districts.
If the school district does not have Microsoft’s PowerPoint
software available, a PowerPoint viewer can be downloaded
from the internet at no cost.
Questions may be directed to the ESD 101 Risk Manager.
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Stories of Compressed Gases
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Employee killed when cylinder turned into a
rocket because its valve was knocked off
Employee suffocated after entering a space
filled with nitrogen
Facility damaged when acetylene cylinder
heated up and exploded
Eyebrows singed when lighting a gas BBQ
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Training Goals
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Compressed gases and cylinders in general
Specific compressed gases
Quiz
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Compressed Gas Use and
Locations In Schools
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Bulk storage (LPG)
>School buildings may be heated with propane
Portable cylinders
>Welding Shop
>Auto-body shop
>Science lab or classroom
>Extra-curricular activities
Oxygen for medical needs
Chlorine for swimming pools
Compressed air
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Basics of Compressed Gases
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Gases include oxygen, argon, nitrogen,
helium, acetylene, hydrogen, nitrous oxide,
carbon dioxide, ammonia, chlorine, etc.
Compressed gases used in bulk systems or
portable cylinders
Industry uses include welding, cutting,
operating tools, transferring liquids, blowing
agents, laboratories, etc.
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Hazards of Compressed Gases
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Explosion
Flammability
Corrosive
Toxicity
Reactivity
Air displacing
Check MSDS for
specific hazards
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Markings or Labels
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Name of the compressed gas
Hazards of the compressed gas
National Fire Protection Association
(NFPA) labels
Department of Transportation (DOT) labels
Do not remove any labels
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Compressed Gas
often used in schools
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Propane
Acetylene
Oxygen
Argon
Helium
Chlorine
Air
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Bulk Systems
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Built and maintained by qualified personnel
Filled by trained and qualified personnel
Tank and piping properly labeled
Tank system protected from damage
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Cylinder Transportation
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Receiving/shipping cylinders requires
DOT hazardous materials training
Use lift trucks or hoists only with proper
lifting equipment
Never use a sling or electromagnet to hoist
a cylinder
Never lift a cylinder by the valve cap
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Manual Cylinder Handling
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Close the valve and put
on the cap
Do not “walk” cylinder
by holding onto valve
stem or cap
Never roll a cylinder
on its side
Use a hand truck with a secure system
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Cylinder Storage Area
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Dry, well ventilated, protected from weather
Away from combustibles, heat sources,
electrical systems
No sparks, smoking, open flames
Oxygen separated from fuels
Upright, secured, valve cap on
Not in elevators, staircases, hallways, etc.
Sign requirements
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Cylinder Storage Example
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Oxygen must be 20 feet
away from sources or
separated by a 5 foot tall
one hour fire wall.
Store the cylinders upright,
secure from tipping or
falling into other cylinders,
and make sure that the
valve cap is on.
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Cylinder Use
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Upright and secure
Away from flames, sparks, electricity
Keep oil, grease, flammables off cylinders
Open valve by hand; if tools required, don’t
use the cylinder
Open valve slowly with hand to the side
Don’t tamper with safety devices
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Regulators and Gauges
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Regulator and gauge rated for the pressure in the
gas system
Regulator must be compatible with the gas
Do not exchange gauge from one gas to another
Thread sealant recommended by manufacturer for
application
Wear eye protection when operating regulator
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Leaking Cylinders
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Never try to repair
Tag it, move it
outdoors, and keep
it away from heat
or flame
Call manufacturer
or dealer
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General Cylinder Safety
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Only accept and use DOT approved
cylinders
Do not drop cylinders
Protect cylinders from cuts and abrasions
Don’t use cylinders for unintended function
such as a roller or support
Don’t tamper with safety valves
Caps on whenever not in use
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Compressed Gas Codes
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Uniform Fire Code
>Article 49-Cutting and Welding Gases
>Article 52-Compressed Natural Gas
>Article 74-Compressed Gases
>Article 80-Hazardous Compressed Gases
>Article 82-Liquefied Petroleum Gas
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Goals of Compressed Gases
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Compressed Gases and Cylinders in
General
Specific Compressed Gases
Quiz
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LPG (Propane)
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Liquid petroleum gases (LPG) include
propane, propylene, butane, butylene
Liquid under pressure, released as a gas
LPG containers must meet specific
design criteria
Cylinders have pressure relief valves
Regulated by local fire department
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LPG Hazards
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Flammable and reactive
Gases are colorless and odorless
Heavier than air, may build up
and explode unexpectedly
Adequate ventilation required
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LPG Containers
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Marked as an approved container
Capacity and design pressure
Shut-off valve, pressure relief valve,
level gauge
Never use container not approved for LPG,
corroded or damaged, missing accessory
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LPG Handling
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No smoking, use
sparkless tools
Fill or dispense outside
or in well-ventilated
area—wear PPE such
as gloves and goggles
Secure to forklift or
other vehicle
Report damaged cylinders
Leak detection
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Compressed Air
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Flying fragments penetrate eyes or skin
Compressed air can penetrate skin, damage
eyes or ears
Use lowest pressure for the job
Wear eye and skin protection
Store air hose properly and inspect
regularly
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Oxygen
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Does not burn or
explode by itself
Supports
combustion process
Explosive with
acetylene, hydrogen
Never handle with oily
hands or gloves
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Acetylene
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Flammable
Cylinder packed with porous material and
solvent that holds the acetylene
Once the valve is opened, the acetylene
flows out in gaseous form
Pressure relief valve using fusible metal that
melts at about 212 °F
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Miscellaneous Gases
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Gases such as argon and nitrogen are
used to displace air
Helium could cause rapid suffocation
Gases like ammonia and chlorine will
cause large evacuations even for small
leaks
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Goals of Compressed Gases
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Compressed Gases and Cylinders in
General
Specific Compressed Gases
Quiz
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Summary
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Cylinders must always be stored and
secured properly
Use caution when transporting cylinders
Understand the hazards of a compressed
gas before using it
Even compressed air can be dangerous
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Quiz
1. The best way to lift a cylinder is by
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attaching a sling to its cap.
True or False
What type of gas cylinder must be stored away
from fuels? _____________________________
What’s wrong with storing a cylinder in a staircase
or hallway? ______________________
Oxygen is dangerous because it will
explode or burn by itself.
True or False
Describe the safest way to manually transport a
cylinder: ________________________________
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Quiz (cont.)
6. Propane is naturally colorless and odorless.
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True or False
Compressed air can be dangerous because
______________________________________.
Name two things that cylinder labels should
contain: _______________ and _____________.
Breathing helium could cause suffocation.
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True or False
11.The cylinder cap needs to be on only when it is
being transported.
True or False
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Quiz Answers
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False. Never lift a cylinder by its cap and never use
a sling to lift a cylinder.
Oxygen cylinders must be stored 20 feet away
from fuels or separated by one hour fire wall.
The cylinder is subject to more traffic, so the risk
of being knocked over is greater.
False. Oxygen only supports combustion. Even a
minute amount of oil can cause a reaction.
Use a handcart with a cylinder securing device
such as a chain.
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Quiz Answers (cont.)
6. True. The odor is added to propane so that leaks
can be more easily detected.
7. Compressed air can penetrate the skin, damage
eyes or ears, or create flying objects.
8. Cylinders should be labeled with the name of the
gas and the hazards of the gas.
9. True. Helium may block the flow of oxygen and
cause suffocation.
10. False. Keep the cap on whenever the cylinder is
not being used.
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