June Safety Focus: Compressed Gas Cylinders

06/01/2018

The June Safety Focus topic was requested by a student. Please review the following information. Video: Myth Busters Compressed Cylinder Experiment. This is a great resource for cylinder safety: University of Saskatchewan Cylinder Guide.

Compressed Gas Cylinders Safety:

  1. Always know cylinder contents and have proper labeling. (Do not rely on the color of the cylinder to identify the contents)
  2. Keep all cylinders chained.  Keep cylinders chained in the storage cages.
  3. Close valves and tighten caps when not in use.
  4. Strap Cylinder to the cart before transporting.
  5. Only spin cylinders for short distances.
  6. Do not roll cylinders on their side.
  7. Always keep cylinders in a well ventilated area.
  8. Store flammable gases separate from oxygen
  9. Keep cylinders in the vertical position.
  10. Make sure the regulator is appropriate for the type of gas.  Example: Acetylene needs special regulator.
  11. Ask for help if you need help moving cylinders. 

GDYR Building:
Only transport cylinders in Service elevator.
Return the cylinder carts to the receiving dock.
Make sure cylinders are chained.
Only transport one cylinder at a time.

Olson Building:
Be very careful retrieving cylinders off the outside dock.
Keep empty cylinders chained inside the dock.
Keep dock area clear of trip hazards.

NPIC:
Keep empty and full cylinders separated and chained.
Keep cylinder area clear of trip hazards.

Make it a Safer Day!

Diana Woolf
Safety Officer
College of Polymer Science & Polymer Engineering
The University of Akron
T: 330-972-7478
F: 330-972-5290
E: dwoolf@uakron.edu