Transcript compgas.ppt

BLR’s
Safety Training Presentations
Compressed Gases
11006115 Copyright Business & Legal Reports, Inc.
Stories of Compressed Gases
 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
11006115 Copyright Business & Legal Reports, Inc.
Training Goals
 Compressed Gases and Cylinders in General
 Specific Compressed Gases
 Quiz
11006115 Copyright Business & Legal Reports, Inc.
Basics of Compressed Gases
 Chemicals 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.
11006115 Copyright Business & Legal Reports, Inc.
Hazards of Compressed Gases







Explosion
Flammability
Corrosive
Toxicity
Reactivity
Air displacing
Check MSDS for specific hazards
11006115 Copyright Business & Legal Reports, Inc.
Markings or Labels
 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
11006115 Copyright Business & Legal Reports, Inc.
Bulk Systems
 Built and maintained by qualified personnel
 Filled by trained and qualified personnel
 Tank and piping properly labeled
 Tank system protected from damage
11006115 Copyright Business & Legal Reports, Inc.
Cylinder Transportation
 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
11006115 Copyright Business & Legal Reports, Inc.
Manual Cylinder Handling
 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
11006115 Copyright Business & Legal Reports, Inc.
Cylinder Storage Area
 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
11006115 Copyright Business & Legal Reports, Inc.
Cylinder Use
 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
11006115 Copyright Business & Legal Reports, Inc.
Regulators and Gauges
 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
11006115 Copyright Business & Legal Reports, Inc.
Leaking Cylinders
 Never try to repair
 Tag it, move it
outdoors, and keep
it away from heat
or flame
 Call manufacturer
or dealer
11006115 Copyright Business & Legal Reports, Inc.
General Cylinder Safety
 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
11006115 Copyright Business & Legal Reports, Inc.
Goals of Compressed Gases
 Compressed Gases and Cylinders in General
 Specific Compressed Gases
 Quiz
11006115 Copyright Business & Legal Reports, Inc.
LPG (Propane)
 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
11006115 Copyright Business & Legal Reports, Inc.
LPG Hazards
 Flammable and reactive
 Gases are colorless and odorless
 Heavier than air, may build up
and explode unexpectedly
 Adequate ventilation required
11006115 Copyright Business & Legal Reports, Inc.
LPG Containers
 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
11006115 Copyright Business & Legal Reports, Inc.
LPG Handling
 No smoking, use
sparkless tools
 Fill or dispense outside
or in well-ventilated
area—wear PPE such
as glove and goggles
 Secure to forklift or
other vehicle
 Report damaged cylinders
 Leak detection
11006115 Copyright Business & Legal Reports, Inc.
Compressed Air
 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
11006115 Copyright Business & Legal Reports, Inc.
Oxygen
 Does not burn or
explode by itself
 Supports
combustion process
 Explosive with
acetylene, hydrogen
 Never handle with oily
hands or gloves
11006115 Copyright Business & Legal Reports, Inc.
Acetylene
 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
11006115 Copyright Business & Legal Reports, Inc.
Miscellaneous Gases
 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
11006115 Copyright Business & Legal Reports, Inc.
Goals of Compressed Gases
 Compressed Gases and Cylinders in General
 Specific Compressed Gases
 Quiz
11006115 Copyright Business & Legal Reports, Inc.
Summary
 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
11006115 Copyright Business & Legal Reports, Inc.
Quiz
1. The best way to lift a cylinder is by
attaching a sling to its cap.
True or False
2. What type of gas cylinder must be stored away
from fuels? ______________________________
3. What’s wrong with storing a cylinder in a staircase
or hallway? ______________________________
4. Oxygen is dangerous because it will
explode or burn by itself.
True or False
5. Describe the safest way to manually transport a
cylinder: _________________________________
11006115 Copyright Business & Legal Reports, Inc.
Quiz (cont.)
6. Propane is naturally colorless and
odorless.
True or False
7. Compressed air can be dangerous because
_____________________________________________.
8. Name two things that cylinder labels should contain:
____________________ and _____________________.
9. Breathing helium could cause
suffocation.
True or False
10. The cylinder cap needs to be on
only when it is being transported.
True or False
11006115 Copyright Business & Legal Reports, Inc.
Quiz Answers
1. False. Never lift a cylinder by its cap and never use
a sling to lift a cylinder.
2. Oxygen cylinders must be stored 20 feet away from
fuels or separated by 1/2 hour fire wall.
3. The cylinder is subject to more traffic, so the risk of
being knocked over is greater.
4. False. Oxygen only supports combustion. Even a
minute amount of oil can cause a reaction.
5. Use a handcart with a cylinder securing device such
as a chain.
11006115 Copyright Business & Legal Reports, Inc.
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.
11006115 Copyright Business & Legal Reports, Inc.