Compressed Cylinder
Safety
NCMAQB
Subject to damage
from other activities in
the vicinity
Cylinder laying
in a horizontal
position.
Electrical cord in
Contact with the
cylinder
Chain
Cylinders are not protected from falling. Note
that the Chain is not secured across.
Electrical
Cord
1. Cylinder not secured
3. Subject to damage.
2. Cylinder should be stored
4. Electrical cord draped over.
1. Small cylinder not tied off
2. Combustibles stored with cylinders
3. Bad housekeeping
4. Acetylene and Oxygen stored
too close together and no chain.
1. Cylinder with no valve or cap installed
3. Subject to damage
2. Laying horizontal on the ground
Electrical arc
damage
Cylinder is damaged. Should be taken out of service immediately!
Cylinder should be in storage protected from damage and not
laying on the ground regardless if it is full or empty
Forklift
1. Cylinders laying on the ground and improperly stored
2. Subject to damage from forklift operation in vicinity
1. Feed line exposed to damage/leak that could cause a fire/explosion
2. Tripping Hazard
1. Inadequate housekeeping
2. Valve caps should be installed.
1. Unsecured acetylene cylinder 2. Exposed to damage
Unsecured cylinders
Regulator left pressurized after use
Improper Storage
Tie Off?
Cylinders not
Secured properly
Exposed to damage
From construction
Activities in area
Free standing
cylinders
What a pressurized
Container can do
When the right amount
of heat is applied.
How not to blow yourself up
Or, the importance of using flashback
arrestors on oxy-acetylene carts and
keeping spark producing activities
Away From You (min 35 ft.).
An Ironworker crew was modifying a temporary structural steel bridge
using an Oxygen/Acetylene torch setup on a cart, a portable welder,
and a grinder. Apparently the Acetylene hose developed a leak and
ignited during the grinding operation (Monday June 18, 2001)
The torch setup was not equipped with a “flashback” arrestor
check valve and the fire traveled through the hose into the
compressed cylinder.
All Oxygen/Acetylene setups must
have a “Flashback” arrestor check
valve at the regulators, NOT the
torch head, to prevent this type
of occurrence. This little device would
have prevented this fire.
30 CFR § 56.4600
Extinguishing equipment.
• WELDING/CUTTING/COMPRESSED GASES
(a) When welding, cutting, soldering, thawing, or bending
• (1) With an electric arc or with an open flame where an
electrically conductive extinguishing agent could create
an electrical hazard, a multipurpose dry-chemical fire
extinguisher or other extinguisher with at least a 2-A:10B:C rating shall be at the worksite.
• (2) With an open flame in an area where no electrical
hazard exists, a multipurpose dry-chemical fire
extinguisher or equivalent fire extinguishing equipment
for the class of fire hazard present shall be at the
worksite.
30 CFR § 56.4601
• Oxygen cylinder storage.
• Oxygen cylinders shall not be stored in
rooms or areas used or designated for
storage of flammable or combustible
liquids, including grease.
30 CFR § 56.4602
• Gauges and regulators.
• Gauges and regulators used with oxygen
or acetylene cylinders shall be kept clean
and free of oil and grease.
30 CFR § 56.4603
• Closure of valves.
• To prevent accidental release of gases from
hoses and torches attached to oxygen and
acetylene cylinders or to manifold systems,
cylinder or manifold system valves shall be
closed when
(a) The cylinders are moved;
(b) The torch and hoses are left unattended; or
(c) The task or series of tasks is completed.
30 CFR § 56.15007
• Protective equipment or clothing for
welding, cutting, or working with
molten metal.
• Protective clothing or equipment and face
shields, or goggles shall be worn when
welding, cutting, or working with molten
metal.
30 CFR § 56.16005
• Securing gas cylinders.
• Compressed and liquid gas cylinders shall
be secured in a safe manner.
30 CFR § 56.16006
• Protection of gas cylinder valves.
• Valves on compressed gas cylinders shall
be protected by covers when being
transported or stored, and by a safe
location when the cylinders are in use.