Use this form to document Safe Work Procedures for hazardous activities and processes. The information in your
Safe Work Procedure (SWP) should be supported by a risk assessment.
Faculty/School: School of Biological Sciences,
Faculty of Science
Initial Issue Date: 03/06/2014
SWP Reference Number: Version: 1
Next Review Date: 03/06/2015
Version Issue Date: 03/06/2014
SWP Title:
Prepared by:
Gas Cylinder Handling, Storage and Use
Matthew Day
Responsible supervisor/s: Michael Joseph
List the Hazards and risk controls as per risk assessment
Associated risk assessment reference:
Hazards
Cylinders are heavy – (use heavy Item Risk assessments)
Asphyxiation by gas leaks
Chemical incompatibility
Damage to eyes form rapidly escaping gas
Risk controls
Wear safety shoes, use cylinder trolley or 3-wheel trolley and the attached safety straps and use appropriate safe lifting techniques/postures when handling cylinders. Ask others for help if necessary.
Calculate the risk level associated with keeping gas in a room before moving gas in, store and transport cylinders correctly and conduct regular leak tests.
Do not store or transport together different dangerous goods classes.
Ensure eye protection is worn.
List resources required including personal protective clothing, chemicals and equipment needed

Safety shoes and protective eye wear should be worn when handling cylinders

Cylinder trolley or 3-wheel trolley with safety strap

Lab coat if working in a laboratory area
List step by step instructions or order for undertaking the task
Transporting Cylinders

Safety shoes and protective eyewear should be worn when handling

Use cylinder trolley or 3-wheel trolley and the attached safety straps

Observe appropriate safe lifting techniques/postures
( http://sydney.edu.au/whs/guidelines/manual_handling/index.shtml
) prior to manually handling heavy or large gas cylinders

Valves must be closed when moving & equipment (e.g. regulators) removed

Do not knock cylinders violently or allow them to fall, never roll along the ground in horizontal position as valve may open

SAFE WORK PROCEDURE
 Do not ride in a lift with cylinders. Send the cylinder on its own with a sign attached to it stating “DANGER- do not travel in lift - Compressed Gas Cylinders being transported”.
Using Cylinders within Labs

Before moving a cylinder into the lab you must contact either the Resources Officer or Safety Officer with the following details: o Cylinder size and gas type o Building and room number o Cylinder size and gas type of other gases also contained in the room

Store upright and secure with a cylinder wall bracket

Store & use in cool, well-ventilated area, away from heat sources, ignition sources & combustible materials

Regularly check for leaks and faults following the guidelines on page 367 of the BOC Gas Cylinder Safety
Manual and the table below.
SERVICE LEAK
CHECK
CREEP
TEST
INERT
PURGE
Noncorrosive Monthly annually Not Applicable
Mildly corrosive 2x Month 6 months at shutdown
Corrosive 2x Month 3 months at shutdown
OVERHAUL REPLACE
5 years
2 years
1-2 years
10 years
4 years
3-4 years

Never use force to open or close valves or attach regulators or fittings

Keep oil & grease away from cylinders, valves and fittings

Before assembling regulators and fittings make sure there are no particles of dirt in the cylinder valve outlet. If a supply of clean compressed oil free air or nitrogen is available, then, whilst wearing appropriate eye and ear protection, use this to blow out any loose particles of dirt from the valve outlet. If a supply of clean compressed oil free air or nitrogen is unavailable, then use a clean lint free rag to clean the cylinder valve outlet, in particular the sealing surfaces. Never open a cylinder valve to clear the outlet. For flammable gases this often leads to the ignition of the escaping gas. Ejected particles and resultant noise can also injure adjacent personnel.

Only use regulators designed for a particular gas type. Not all regulators can be used with all gasses.
Storing Cylinders in Cages When Not in Use

Keep full & empty cylinders separate

Toxic and corrosive gases should be stored separately, away from all other gases

Do not knock Cylinders violently or allow them to fall.
List emergency shutdown procedures
N/A
List Emergency procedures for how to deal with fires, spills or exposure to hazardous substances

Shut off the gas if it is safe to do so

If there is no fire, open windows and doors to allow gas to escape

Evacuate the area if the leak is dangerous

If the leak could endanger others in the building (e.g. significant toxic gas leak) or there is potential for a fire or explosion, evacuate the immediate area, activate a break-glass emergency alarm, phone security
(9351 3333) and send someone to report to the buildings Chief Warden

All incidents are to be reported to your immediate supervisor

Incidents resulting in injury or illness and any near-miss incidents must be reported in RiskWare https://riskware.sydney.edu.au
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SAFE WORK PROCEDURE
List Clean up and waste disposal requirements
N/A
List references used in the development of this SWP, e.g. codes of practice

Australian Standard 4332 – the storage and handling of gases in cylinders
 “Gas Cylinder Handling, Storage and Use” Risk Assessment

BOC Gas Cylinder Safety Manual 2014 http://www.bocworldofwelding.com.au/media/pdf/SAFETY-
Cylinder%20safety.pdf
List competency required – qualifications, certificates, licensing, training - e.g. course or instruction:

In-house training by an experienced user of gas cylinders

Reading this SWP, the associated Risk Assessment and the BOC Gas Cylinder Safety Manual

Sign-off by trainer and supervisor.
Staff approved to assess competence for this SWP
Those with experience in using compressed gas cylinders and who have read this SWP, the associated Risk
Assessment and the BOC Gas Cylinder Safety Manual.
SWP Sign off sheet
SWP name and version: Gas Cylinder Handling, Storage and Use (Version 1)
In signing this section the assessor agrees that the following persons are competent in following this
SWP.
Name Signature Date
Competent
Name
Assessor/Authoriser of Assessor/Authoriser signature
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