Transcript compgas.ppt
BLR’s
Safety Training Presentations
Compressed Gases
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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
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Training Goals
Compressed Gases and Cylinders in General
Specific Compressed Gases
Quiz
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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.
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Hazards of Compressed Gases
Explosion
Flammability
Corrosive
Toxicity
Reactivity
Air displacing
Check MSDS for specific hazards
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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
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Bulk Systems
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
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
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
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 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
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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
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Leaking Cylinders
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
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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Goals of Compressed Gases
Compressed Gases and Cylinders in General
Specific Compressed Gases
Quiz
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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
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LPG Hazards
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
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
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
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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
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Oxygen
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
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
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
Compressed Gases and Cylinders in General
Specific Compressed Gases
Quiz
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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
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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: _________________________________
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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
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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.
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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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